This had the makings of an entertaining game as Leeds travelled to Merseyside to play Everton.
We had another sad loss this week as Diego Maradona passed away aged just 60, so as a mark of respect across all Premier League games this weekend there was a minutes applause before kickoff.
It was played at Goodison Park.
Reference for picture: https://www.facebook.com/Everton/photos
The first chance came after three minutes, but Bamford shot wide but he was offside anyway.
Three minutes later, good build-up play from Everton and Doucoure’s shot was saved by Meslier.
After 10 minutes, Raphinha’s through ball to Harrison who shot just wide.
After 20 minutes, good play by Dallas and Bamford’s shot was saved by Pickford’s legs.
Four minutes later, Everton thought they’d gone ahead as Rodriguez kept the ball in and finished superbly into the top corner, but he was just offside.
After 28 minutes, Ayling’s cross went to Raphinha’s head which was saved in the centre of the box and then Raphinha’s shot was cleared off the line.
After 39 minutes, Holgate’s volley saved by Meslier.
After 42 minutes, Richarlison’s shot was saved and from the corner, Richarlison headed into the net, but VAR ruled it out as Godfrey was offside.
In the last meaningful action of an entertaining first half, Harrison hit the post with a header and Bamford shot wide.
Halftime score: Everton 0-0 Leeds United
So an entertaining game that was somehow goalless at halftime, both teams had chances , would there be goals or just a single goal in the second half to decide it?
At the start of the second half, Calvert-Lewin powered a shot towards the goal which was saved by Meslier and the corner came to nothing. A minute later, Calvert-Lewin had another chance but shot wide this time.
After 49 minutes, a good Leeds move ended with Klich shooting over.
Three minutes later, Rodriguez tried to chip Meslier, but was saved easily.
On the hour mark, Harrison shot was saved by Pickford and Allan ran and ran towards goal but shot wide.
After 65 minutes, Bamford tucked away nicely, but he was offside.
Four minutes later, Rodriguez’s shot was spilled by Meslier but he recovered.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Richarlison was off balance and he shot wide.
With ten minutes remaining, Raphinha shot from outside the box and it went into the bottom corner, and Leeds were ahead deservedly on the balance of play, could they hold on?
After 87 minutes, Klich’s through ball to Alioski who shot wide.
In stoppage time, Costa’s shot was saved.
Fulltime score: Everton 0-1 Leeds United
So a narrow win for Leeds who probably deserved the win on the balance of play, but Everton’s good start to the season seems to have stalled slightly.
Highlights of the game are below:
Leeds went up to 11th in the Premier League table on 14 points from 10 games, but after the other games they dropped one place to 12th.
Next up for Leeds is a rivalry ready to be renewed as they go to London to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 5th December with a 8pm kickoff, and it will be the second game of Saturday that has 2,000 fans back in a stadium, so that’ll be interesting to see.
