Newly promoted Leeds United marked their Premier League comeback with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Everton at Elland Road, as Lukas Nmecha’s late penalty sparked wild celebrations on a thunderous night in Yorkshire.
Daniel Farke’s side dominated for long spells but were in danger of being held to a frustrating point until, with just six minutes remaining, Everton captain James Tarkowski blocked Anton Stach’s shot with his arm inside the box.
After a VAR review, referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot, and Nmecha coolly converted to hand Leeds a deserved three points.
The victory set off jubilant scenes at Elland Road, where the atmosphere had crackled from the first whistle and roared even louder when the final one confirmed a winning return to the top flight.
Leeds Dictate, But Must Wait
True to Farke’s pre-match promise, Leeds attacked with relentless intensity, they pinned Everton deep inside their own half for much of the first 45 minutes, launching wave after wave of pressure.
Yet despite racking up 12 attempts before half-time, only one tested goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The concern for Leeds was whether they could sustain such ferocity after the break. Their fears looked justified as the second half became more scrappy and Everton appeared content to grind out a point.
But Tarkowski’s late lapse of judgment finally cracked the visitors’ resistance, handing Leeds the breakthrough they had chased all evening.
Debutant goalkeeper Lucas Perri, signed from Botafogo, enjoyed a quiet first outing but handled the late aerial bombardment in seven minutes of stoppage time with composure, before being mobbed by teammates at the whistle.
Everton Lack Spark Despite Grealish Cameo
Everton, meanwhile, produced a dismal display that left new boss David Moyes with much to ponder as his team were passive and error-strewn, often surrendering possession without pressure.
Their first shot did not arrive until the 53rd minute, a speculative effort from Idrissa Gueye that flew well wide.
Loan signing Jack Grealish was introduced with 20 minutes to play, but the former Manchester City man could do little to change the course of a game that had already slipped away.
Moyes, visibly frustrated on the touchline, lamented his squad’s lack of depth after the match, with the performance at Elland Road reinforcing his pleas for reinforcements.
Everton are particularly light at right-back and in midfield, while the absence of cutting edge in attack will also alarm supporters.
What’s Next?
Leeds travel to the Emirates Stadium next Saturday (23 August, 17:30 BST) for a stern test against Arsenal, before facing Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup second round three days later.
Everton, meanwhile, will christen their new home, Hill Dickinson Stadium, on Sunday (24 August, 14:00 BST) against Brighton, before hosting Mansfield Town FC in the EFL Cup on Wednesday (27 August).