Leeds United 2-2 Everton
Leeds United earned their first point of the new campaign after fighting back twice to deny Everton a second victory.
Premier League: Leeds vs Everton promised action and drama and in an entertaining first half Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Everton the lead from the penalty spot before Mateusz Klich drew the Whites level. The livewire Demarai Gray restored Everton’s lead shortly after the break, but Leeds levelled again through a stunner from Raphinha. And though both teams pushed for a winner a point each, at SBOTOP odds of 3.30 was fair enough.
Highlights of the game
Everton came close to opening the scoring in the very first minute when midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure curled a shot beyond Illan Meslier but inches wide of the post. At the other end of the pitch, Raphinha latched on to a clearance from Yerry Mina and fired through a forest of legs but straight at Jordan Pickford. Both sides were playing freely and with attacking intent and Gray was so close to creating the opener when he left Luke Ayling in his wake before sending a dangerous ball across the area, but a stretching Calvert-Lewin was a toe-poke away from scoring.
Everton pressed on and they went ahead midway through the half when Liam Cooper grabbed a handful of Calvert-Lewin’s shirt and, after VAR took a long look, the referee pointed to the spot. Calvert-Lewin settled himself and slotted home his 55th goal for the Toffees, but the first from a penalty.
The hosts battled back and Raphinha was close again after beating Michael Keane when his shot flashed just wide of the post. But soon enough Leeds had their reward. Striker Patrick Bamford has just signed a five-year contract extension and he showed a touch of real class in the lead up to the equaliser, holding off Keane and flicking a superb ball through to Klich, and the Pole kept his cool to lift his shot over Pickford and score the first Premier League goal the Leeds fans had seen live in 17 years.
Cue wild celebrations in West Yorkshire!
The Whites’ faithful will never tire of watching the Leeds vs Everton highlights to see that goal again, but their side faced an uphill task again just five minutes into the second half when the visitors went in front again. Doucoure drove forward and slid the ball through to Gray and he slotted a shot through the legs of Ayling and into the far corner.
The Toffees won 1-2 at Elland Road last season and the home fans feared a repeat, and it could have got immediately worse but Meslier made a great save to deny Calvert-Lewin when the England forward was clean through on goal. And Everton were left to rue that miss when the chance of another 1-2 win disappeared thanks to a moment of magic from Raphinha. The fit-again Kalvin Phillips fired a ball into the danger area, Everton failed to clear and when the ball landed with the Brazilian he curled a beauty beyond Pickford and into the net.
Key Statistics
The Leeds vs Everton betting odds backed a hard-fought game and it certainly was. The hosts bossed the possession with almost 70 per cent of the ball, but Everton were dangerous on the break, winning the shot count by 17 to 15 and eight to four on target.
Leeds have a superb record at home in their opening top-flight matches, losing just one of the last 17 at this level, while this was the first time Everton boss Rafael Benitez has failed to win at Elland Road, having won in his first three visits.
What’s next?
Leeds had a poor pre-season and a disappointing defeat to Manchester United last week but this was more like it and the season has lift-off.
On Tuesday the Whites are in Carabao Cup action at home to League One Crewe who have endured a difficult start to the campaign with back to back away defeats to Portsmouth and Oxford United. Then Leeds cross the Pennines for a Battle of the Roses when they head to Turf Moor to face Burnley next Sunday. The Clarets have started with two defeats, a 1-2 reversal to Brighton after they led for 70 minutes, and then a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
Sean Dyche’s team tend to be slow starters but they have impressed for 45 minutes of each game, and when they click they are a real handful. Leeds will be ready for them and that game could be a belter.
Meanwhile, the Toffees are away to Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup and then make a trip to the south coast to take on Graham Potters’ Brighton.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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