This was an emotional day for everyone involved with Leeds United as it was their 1st home game with a full crowd since 2020, their 1st Premier League home game with full crowd in 17 years, the atmosphere from listening on radio sounded electric. There was a minutes silence before kickoff to remember not only people who have passed away since the last time there were full crowds, but also the Leeds legends who have passed away in this last year.
It was Leeds United playing in yellow against Everton playing in blue, could Leeds get their 1st points of the 2021-22 season and respond to last week’s thrashing against Man United , or could Everton make it 2 wins out of 2?
It was played at Elland Road
Inside the 1st minute, Doucoure had a right footed shot from outside the box which missed to the right, then the 1st Leeds attack as Harrison and Firpo combined but came to nothing.
After 7 minutes, there was a cross from Harrison towards Bamford who shot with his left foot from the centre of the box, but was blocked by Everton.
Three minutes later, nice buildup from Leeds and Raphinha shot from outside the box which was saved in bottom left corner.
Just before the quarter of a hour, Richarlison  spun away from Ayling, drove towards the Leeds area and shot on the edge of the box but Struijk blocked. Then a minute later, Ayling tried his luck from range again after his stunner last week, and his shot deflected wide for a corner, then a poor 1st touch by Phillips meant he couldn’t get a shot away on goal, but he won another corner for which which was cleared.
Two minutes later, close for Everton as Gray used his pace to leave Ayling behibnd, drove down the right wing and crossed a teasing ball into the 6 yard box but Calvert-Lewin on the stretch couldn’t quite convert.
After 21 minutes, Raphinha angled the ball towards Bamford and it looked like n inch-perfect pass but Mina tracked the flight of it and stopped Bamford racing through with a defensive header.
Everton penalty
After 27 minutes, a ball got crossed in and Calvert-Lewin and Cooper were tussling and Calvert-Lewin went down inside the box, VAR had a look and requested the ref to go over to the monitor and he gave it, Cooper got booked, and Calvert-Lewin with a short run-up scored in the corner.
Just after the half hour, Raphinha was turning Mina inside out and he bent a shot just wide with his left foot.
After 40 minutes, Raphinha had a left footed shot from outside the box which missed to the right.
Leeds equaliser
A minute later, Leeds were level and Elland Road erupted as good linkup play between Bamford and Klich after Bamford won the ball back, he saw Klich in the middle and Bamford’s well-weighted pass allowed Klich to clip the ball past Pickford.
Halftime score: Leeds United 1-1 Everton
So an intriguing first half, both sides had chances bit it was a level game, could anyone get a winner in the 2nd half?
After 50 minutes, Everton went back in fron as Doucoure drobe into the final third and shifted the ball to Gray on his left foot, he stuttered and didn’t get his show away 1st time, but he managed to creep a shot thorugfh Ayling’s legs and beyond Meslir to score.
Three minutes later, Gray drove down the right and drilled a low ball inot Clavert-Lewin’s feet who swept the ball towards the goal, the ball looked to have gone throguh Meslier’s legs but he managed to hold onto it to stop it crossing the line, big save.
A minute later, a superb block by Keane as he threw his body in the way of Raphinha’s volley , the ball fell into Everton’s area but Digne was alert and slid in to stop Dallas from getting a show away.
Just before th ehour mark, a big chance for Everton to extend their leas as Leeds were cut open eaisly as Iwobi sauntered forward and slotted a defence-splitting pass forwards to get Clavert-Lewin in on goal, Meslier raced off his line to stop the shot, it was a vital save.
After 72 minutes, close for Leeds as Roberts dug out a cross from the left, it took a deflection on its way to the middle and nearly caught Pickford out at the near post , but he palmed it away for a corner.
2nd Leeds equaliser
A minute later, Leeds were level for a 2nd time with a stunner from Raphinha as Phillips did a deep cross which caused panic in the Everton defence who didn’t clear their lines, and Cooper gathered possession and rolled it into Raphinha’s pass and he curled an exquisite effort into the far corner as Elland Road again erupted.
Three minutes later, Everton nearly went back ahead as Leeds defence stood off Rcharlison who came back inside on his right foot and curled a shot towards the far corner, beat Meslier but not goalwards.
A minute later, Raphinha floated a freekick into Everton area and Cooper managed to get his head to it but couldn’t steer it goalwards.
With ten minutes remaining, Leeds passed superbly throguh midfield but the last pass looking for Bamford was cut out well by Keane , then Mina stretched to stop Bamford breaking throguh.
After 82 minutes, Leeds won a freekick and Struijk couldn’t get enough power on his header and floated wide by a yard or two.
With five minutes left, Bamford’s left footed shot from the left side of the box was blocked. Then a minute later, Raphinha’s left footed shot on the volley outside the box blocked.
Then Coleman hit a shot way, way wide from 30 yards out, then Townsend bursted forward and was saved by Meslier.
Then near the end, a shot was deflected by Everton and it was nearly an own goal by Cooper , after Doucoure’s shot was tame and deflected off Cooper and bobbled a yard wide
In stoppage time, Raphinha was tackled by Delph, VAR had a look but deemed a fair tackle, A scramble then ensued at the end as Bamford and Mina were both on the floor, Bamford looking to score, Mina looking to get it away.
Fulltime score: Leeds United 2-2 Everton
Leeds wer ethe better team in the 2nd half and maybe could have won it, Everton also had chances so a good point for both teams and Leeds are up and running this seaosn.
Highlights of this game are at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSLB436OWWk
Next up for Leeds is a Carabao Cup 2nd round game at Elland Road agaisnt Crewe Alexanra on Tuesday 24th August 7:45pm kickoff
