Leeds United made a winning Premier League return at a buzzing Elland Road, edging Everton 1-0 thanks to Lukas Nmecha’s coolly-taken penalty in the closing minutes.
Key Moments
- Bright Leeds Start: Leeds dominated early, forcing five corners inside the first 14 minutes and creating several chances, with Joël Piroe denied by a sprawling Jordan Pickford save before Pascal Struijk’s header was cleared off the line. Everton managed no shots in the first half as Leeds’ intensity set the tone.
- Contentious Decider: Everton grew into the game in the second half, but with the score locked at 0-0, Leeds debutant Anton Stach’s fierce drive struck James Tarkowski’s arm in the 84th minute. Referee Chris Kavanagh awarded the penalty after a VAR review, despite Everton protests.
- Nmecha’s Magical Moment: Summer signing Lukas Nmecha stepped up and calmly dispatched his penalty, sending the Leeds fans wild and securing all three points on his club debut.
Stats at a Glance
| Leeds | Everton | |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 12 | 7 |
| On Target | 3 | 2 |
| Possession | 49% | 51% |
| Corners | 9 | 5 |
| xG | 1.4 | 0.7 |
Notable Performers
- Gabriel Gudmundsson shone on debut, contributing in defense and attack.
- Jordan Pickford kept Everton in it with key saves, but couldn’t stop the penalty.
Final Thoughts
Leeds showed physicality and energy throughout, their squad largely unchanged from last year’s Championship-winning side but with smart summer additions making the difference. Daniel Farke’s men made Elland Road a fortress again, while Everton struggled for creativity—leaving manager David Moyes demanding more ahead of their next fixture.
A dream start and a perfect return to the Premier League for the Whites fans!