After a dispiriting defeat to Newcastle last weekend, Everton responded superbly well and claimed a vital three points beating Leeds United 2-1 at Elland Road last night.
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti had called out his players for their lack of urgency and commitment last weekend and was demanding a response for them. Last night he got it.
The Toffees boss picked a team without James Rodriguez, pretty much the first time he’s not gone with his star summer signing when the Colombian has been fit to start.
He also brought back Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey although Godfrey moved inside rather then playing left-back to line up alongside Yerry Mina in central defence. This was something I thought he should consider doing to get the ex-Norwich players’ pace into the team if Lucas Digne is fit.
With Jordan Pickford injured Robin Olsen returned in goal and he was going to have a pivitol role in the outcome of the match.
In midfield Andre Gomes and Gylfi Sigurdsson joined Abdoulaye Doucoure. Both Gomes and Sigurdsson were good, especially Gomes in the first half who played some excellent passes and worked hard. Doucoure had another solid and consistently energetic match.
Once again Gomes enjoyed playing that slightly deeper role with Doucoure while Sigurdsson could support them and link up with the forwards. And Sigurdsson popped up to score the Blues opening goal.
From the off the match was a competitive and energetic contest with Leeds full of running and both teams prepared to attack making it entertaining fare for any neutrals watching.
Everton were overall the better side in the first half and got an early goal after a fine move with Gomes finding Digne who then put in a trademark telling cross, which wasn’t cleared and Sigurdsson glided in to slot it home.
It was a deserved lead and the Toffees were playing well dealing with Leeds constant threat and looking likely to get another goal themselves.
But it was the home team who had the best chances to score after that early goal, The post and the excellent Olsen, as he would again later, preserved Everton’s lead.
The Blues looked a lot more solid in midfield and defence than they had on Saturday and there was a determination to battle missing last weekend and the concentration required to absorb the high-tempo game of their hosts effectively.
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Then just before half-time Everton won a corner and from the resulting ball in, Godfrey flicked it on and Dominic Calvert-Lewin stooped to conquer, scoring his first Premier League goal in two months with a header that reminds me a bit of Trevor Francis’ winning goal for Nottingham Forest in the 1979 European Cup final.
At the break the Blues looked very comfortable and were in control of the game, although they were always wary of Leeds attacking ability and needed to stay focused.
But then almost straight after the break Everton lost that focus and the home team were back in it through the same player who scored the winner at Goodison Park when these teams last met: Raphinha. The Brazilian latched onto Patrick Bamford’s though ball and scored his second against the Toffees this season.
Leeds now swarmed forward searching for that equaliser and several times came close to getting it. In one short period Olsen was forced to make a succession of fine saves to keep them out and preserve what was now looking like a very slender lead.
The Blues though had their chances to seal it on the break. Everton had a good shout for a penalty for Luke Ayling’s handball not given and Calvert-Lewin in particular missed out on a good opportunity to get his second while Richarlison did have a few half chances when he got on the ball and cut inside.
The Brazilian forward looked very displeased when he was later substituted for Micheal Keane as the Toffees shored up the defence to hold onto their lead.
Maybe I’m reading too much into things but the combination of his poor recent form and the attitude when he’s come off in the last two matches indicate an unhappy player. Hopefully this is just his frustration at his lack of goals and consistency.
But anyway Everton did hold on and saw out the rest of the match to claim three valuable points and get themselves right back in that mix for Europe next season.
In truth this game certainly could and probably should, have been a draw. Leeds will feel the quality of their attacking play deserved it and but for Olsen’s acrobatics they would have had at least one more goal. He and the brilliant Godfrey were my picks as the Blues best performers.
But the Toffees can also point to those opportunities to win it late on and the difference in these sorts of matches is the quality of your finishing. Last night Everton had that quality. So a good, needed win and it’s onwards to Manchester United next at Old Trafford.