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A long range strike from Raphinha was enough to seal the win as Leeds United produced an excellent performance to win 1-0 at Goodison Park against Everton.
Despite only having one goal, the match was filled with chances. Leeds had most of them but Everton had a fair few as well and a fairer score would have still seen a Leeds win, but with at least four goals in the game.
Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison had the pick of the chances for Leeds in the first half, with Abdoulaye Doucoure missing Everton’s best. Everton also had two goals correctly ruled out for offside in the first half.
The second half was more of the same, this time Leeds having one disallowed for offside. Leeds got the goal in the one period where Everton were starting to get on top, Jack Harrison finding Raphinha in space on the edge of the box, and his low driven shot found the bottom corner.
79' GGGGGGOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!! RAPHINHA WITH HIS FIRST GOAL FOR #LUFC!!! 0-1 pic.twitter.com/BkfDSnspeh
— Leeds United (@LUFC) November 28, 2020
Everton pushed for an equaliser, but in truth Leeds looked the more likely to get the second goal with Helder Costa going closest late on, but one was enough and Leeds claimed an excellent three points.
Time now to look at each player and how they performed. As always you can tell me how wrong I am @mightywhitespod or @ThruItAllLUFC on twitter.
STARTING LINEUP
Illan Meslier - Brilliant save early on to deny Abdoulaye Doucoure from close range. Made an easier save to deny Holgate from a James Rodriguez freekick and a diving save to deny Richarlison from 25 yards. Really bad error early in the second half to pass it straight to Rodriguez but he got back on his line well to catch the lobbed attempt. Despite the one major error, a good performance. 7.5/10
What a stop by Illan Meslier
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 28, 2020
He denies Abdoulaye Doucoure after a slick Everton move!
Watch on Sky Sports PL
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Luke Ayling - Consistently able to get into dangerous areas going forward and may think he could have had more of an impact when he did. Coped well with Richarlison one-on-one which is an achievement. 7.5/10
Robin Koch - A couple of good tackles and good in possession. Not faultless but pretty good. 7/10
Liam Cooper - Early error to leave a through ball and allow Tom Davies in behind, bailed out by Meslier. After that, defended well. Both he and Koch struggled with DCL at times but that is to be expected. 7/10
Ezgjan Alioski - Did well both on the left and centrally when required. Some poor decision making at times but overall a good performance. 7/10
Kalvin Phillips - Played excellent cross-field passes to the winger in space and barely gave the ball away. Tackled well, took the pressure off his teammates when Leeds were ragged at times. Excellent throughout. Tough to call for Man of the Match but will give Phillips the edge. 9/10
I know you can demonstrate just about anything with passing stats but Phillips tonight - 94 per cent accuracy overall and 92 per cent accuracy in Everton's half. Which, given some of his distribution tonight, is outstanding. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) November 28, 2020
Raphinha - Lively start with an early chance and some good skill through the midfield. Set up a fantastic chance for Jack Harrison. Switched to the left and still dangerous - although he was less involved, forced a great save from Pickford with a header. Got the goal with a great strike from 20-25 yards out to beat Pickford. Was a threat every time he got the ball and worked back when necessary, although that still doesn’t look like a strength of his. 8.5/10
Stuart Dallas - Was let off by the offside flag when he left a ball to go straight to James Rodriguez who finished well. Fantastic cross to give Harrison a great chance with a header. A couple of sloppy moments but good overall. 7/10
202 games
— bet365 (@bet365) November 28, 2020
93 wins
20 goals
20 clean sheets in defence
15 assists
Played left wing
Played left midfield
Played left-back
Played centre midfield
Played right midfield
Played right-back
Stuart Dallas cost Leeds United just £1.7m in 2015. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/auLqJz0ACY
Mateusz Klich - Looked good on the ball and set up a great chance for Bamford. Central to Leeds good football throughout. Marcelo Bielsa says he is good enough to play for anyone, I am inclined to believe him. 7.5/10
Jack Harrison - Making his 100th appearance for Leeds. Missed a great chance after 10 minutes when clean through on goal. Unlucky to have a shot cleared off the line. Hit the post with a great headed chance. Less involved in the second half but still solid. Off with cramp late on. 7/10
Patrick Bamford - Linked up play well when dropping off the front early. Missed a great chance after 20 minutes where he needed to do much better. Had one disallowed correctly for an offside against Alioski. Full of running throughout. 7/10
SUBSTITUTES
Ian Poveda (for Raphinha, 84mins) - One moment of great skill to set up Helder Costa. N/A
Helder Costa (for Harrison, 89mins) - Missed a great chance late on. N/A
Rodrigo (for Bamford, 91mins) - N/A