Match Recap: Leeds United 1-2 Everton

Leeds United and Everton battled it out under the Elland Road floodlights in a competitive fixture, with The Toffees coming out on top on this occasion.

Everton hit The Whites with an early sucker punch as Digne took the ball to the by-line with a one-on-one. He whipped the ball across the penalty area, finding a solitary blue jersey emerging between several white jerseys. Sigurdsson broke between the lines to tap the ball in and give Everton the lead.

Leeds came close on 20 minutes as Raphinha’s corner-kick found Alioski on the edge of the box, who took the volley head-on as it swerved away from the keeper but hit the outside of the left post.

Pascal Struijk came close soon after from a Kalvin Phillips free-kick, with the flying Dutchman’s header being deflected by Calvert-Lewin and well saved by the goalkeeper.

Everton doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time from yet another corner-kick. The cross was flicked-on well by Godfrey toward the back post with Calvert-Lewin attacking the ball and heading freely to double the cushion for Everton.

The next goal was crucial, and The Whites are the ones who got it. A messy moment in the penalty area had the ball drop for Patrick Bamford who laid the ball off for Raphinha who finished nicely with his left-foot, curling into the far left corner.

Leeds came very close to an equaliser had it not been for some strong goalkeeping from Olsen. Klich rolled-up first with a volleyed strike on the edge of the box bouncing toward the goal. It was well parried before saving Raphinha’s rebound from a tight angle. Harrison arrived to test Olsen again, who got a strong hand to match the volley.

Patrick Bamford hit the top of the bar on 72 minutes as Dallas’ hanging cross was well won by Bamford, but his looping header didn’t quite dip in time. Calvert-Lewin should have put the game beyond doubt as the game came to a close, with Meslier making a good save one-on-one.

In the end, The Whites couldn’t quite snatch the equaliser in a tough but fairly entertaining fixture. Leeds must now learn from this one and prepare themselves for another big match as Leeds United host Crystal Palace at Elland Road next.