Leeds earned their first win in four games by beating Everton in a thrilling match thanks to Raphinha’s long-range strike.
The Brazilian finally broke the deadlock from 20 yards with a low, fizzing shot after the two sides had carved out numerous chances in a game where managers Marcelo Bielsa and Carlo Ancelotti met for the first time.
The visitors had been left frustrated after hitting the post through Jack Harrison in the first half and drawing fine saves from Jordan Pickford who could do little about the winner.
Leeds will point to their attacking approach – and keeping the league’s top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin in check – as key in the victory and their move up to 11th in the table.
Everton slipped to a fourth defeat in five games, making their unbeaten start to the season seem like a distant memory.
They carved out plenty of chances themselves, but could not beat Illan Meslier, who denied Richarlison, Allan and Abdoullaye Doucoure.
The Toffees also showed their defensive frailties once more as Leeds picked them apart, which, but for better finishing, could have made the scoreline even more convincing for the visitors.
This is the first time boss Ancelotti has lost successive home fixtures since 2012 when he was manager at Paris St-Germain.
Leeds find their range at last
In a week when former Napoli boss Ancelotti and Argentine Bielsa praised the impact that Diego Maradona had on football, this game was a glowing tribute to the attacking football he played.
Despite being promoted last season, Leeds have already established themselves as one of the most entertaining teams in the Premier League.
In the first half, however, it looked as their profligacy could cost them dear.
They had 13 shots before the break – the most in a Premier League half this season – but failed to find the net through a combination of poor finishing and good stops from Pickford in front of the watching England manager Gareth Southgate.
Harrison should have given Leeds the lead after 10 minutes when he missed the target at the back post and he then hit the woodwork late in the half.
On that occasion, Pickford failed to come for a cross, but he had already saved Everton twice to deny Patrick Bamford’s low shot and Raphinha’s looping header.
Aided by the talented Kalvin Phillips, who almost acts like an NFL quarter-back, there were further opportunities for Mateusz Klich.
And, as the visitors tired in the second half, Everton began to threaten on the counter-attack.
But just as the game seemed to be tipping the hosts’ way, Raphinha found his first goal of the season, and Ezjgan Alioski should have made the game safe late on.
The goal was a huge relief for Leeds and was testament to the faith in Bielsa’s methods, which lit up a chilly night on Merseyside.
Player of the match
PhillipsKalvin Phillips
Everton
Squad number1Player namePickford
Squad number6Player nameAllan
Squad number19Player nameRodríguez
Squad number9Player nameCalvert-Lewin
Squad number22Player nameGodfrey
Squad number5Player nameKeane
Squad number4Player nameHolgate
Squad number7Player nameRicharlison
Squad number8Player nameDelph
Squad number16Player nameDoucouré
Squad number26Player nameDavies
Squad number17Player nameIwobi
Squad number21Player nameAndré Gomes
Squad number20Player nameBernard
Leeds United
Squad number23Player namePhillips
Squad number18Player nameRaphinha
Squad number1Player nameMeslier
Squad number2Player nameAyling
Squad number43Player nameKlich
Squad number5Player nameKoch
Squad number22Player nameHarrison
Squad number10Player nameAlioski
Squad number15Player nameDallas
Squad number9Player nameBamford
Squad number6Player nameCooper
Squad number7Player namePoveda-Ocampo
Squad number20Player nameRodrigo
Squad number17Player nameHélder Costa
More to follow.
Line-ups
Everton
- 1Pickford
- 22Godfrey
- 5Keane
- 4HolgateSubstituted forBernardat 82′minutes
- 26DaviesSubstituted forDelphat 61′minutes
- 16Doucouré
- 6AllanBooked at 90mins
- 17IwobiSubstituted forAndré Gomesat 67′minutes
- 19Rodríguez
- 9Calvert-Lewin
- 7Richarlison
Substitutes
- 8Delph
- 10G Sigurdsson
- 13Mina
- 14Tosun
- 20Bernard
- 21André Gomes
- 49Lössl
Leeds
- 1Meslier
- 2AylingBooked at 26mins
- 5Koch
- 6CooperBooked at 90mins
- 15Dallas
- 23Phillips
- 18Dias BelloliSubstituted forPoveda-Ocampoat 85′minutes
- 43Klich
- 22HarrisonSubstituted forHélder Costaat 89′minutes
- 10Alioski
- 9BamfordSubstituted forRodrigoat 90+1′minutes
Substitutes
- 7Poveda-Ocampo
- 11Roberts
- 13Casilla
- 17Hélder Costa
- 20Rodrigo
- 21Struijk
- 24Davis
Live Text
Match ends, Everton 0, Leeds United 1.
Second Half ends, Everton 0, Leeds United 1.
Attempt saved. Hélder Costa (Leeds United) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rodrigo.
Attempt missed. Rodrigo (Leeds United) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ian Poveda-Ocampo.
Allan (Everton) is shown the yellow card.
Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Leeds United. Rodrigo replaces Patrick Bamford.
Liam Cooper (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Liam Cooper (Leeds United).
Richarlison (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Leeds United. Hélder Costa replaces Jack Harrison.
Attempt blocked. Patrick Bamford (Leeds United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Stuart Dallas.
Offside, Leeds United. Mateusz Klich tries a through ball, but Ezgjan Alioski is caught offside.
Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Fabian Delph.
Luke Ayling (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by André Gomes (Everton).
Substitution, Leeds United. Ian Poveda-Ocampo replaces Raphinha.
Foul by Mateusz Klich (Leeds United).
Fabian Delph (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- Watch 13 FA Cup second-round games on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app this weekend. Find out more here.
Source link