Relief. That’s the overriding emotion as Everton put Tuesday’s misereable defeat at Newcastle behind them with a ruthless display at Goodison Park.
Everton really needed this result and the performance to go with it. It was a built on an excellent first forty-five minutes as the Blues bludeoned Leeds into submission.
Back in the 1960s Everton v Leeds was one of the highlight fixtures of the football calender and was also often the most physical, with one infamous match in which the referee took both sets of players off to cool down!
This wasn’t the same game of course but the Toffees showed an old-school resolve, energy and commitment, something that we’ve seen all too rarely in recent times.
The Blues were almost one nil up inside the first few mintues as the superb Anthony Gordon immediately set the tone with a chance that was blocked.
Gordon had another outstanding game and is becoming a terrific asset for this team. He is beginning to justlfy all the hopes that I and many others had for him.
The tempo was set early on and there some fierce challenges from the home team feeding off the crowd who were in great voice making the Grand Old Lady rock again.
After a great rousing start and playing with really good energy, Everton went ahead when after a fine move Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a chance to score but a rejuvinated Seamus Coleman following up, stuck it home.
Then came another set-piece goal as Micheal Keane powered home a header from a superb ball in by Gordon. Two nil and in truth the Blues already looked very comfortable.
Of course, this is Everton and we know all too well never to be complacent with this side. And, Leeds might have pulled at least one goal back as Rodrigo twice hit the woodwork with Jordan Pickford beaten.
However, in truth they didn’t really ever look like scoring expect perhaps through a piece if outrageous individual brilliance like that.
One player for the away team that has always been a threat and in the past really enjoys playing against the Toffees, is Raphina.
The Brazilian forward was a thorn in the side of the Blues’ in recent contests between these two sides. Today though he was well shackled by the excellent Jonjo Kenny playing out of position at left-back.
Kenny and Alex Iwobi both excelled this afternoon, that’s something I didn’t ever expect to be saying again considering their past performances.
They were surprise selections both of them in a 4-4-2 formation and it worked. Can they continue to produce that sort of effort and quality if they’re called upon again, that’s the question?
After half-time the level wasn’t quite so high and the intensity was a little less, but Everton largely controlled the match and then to finish it off Richarlison fired in a shot and thought he’d scored but it was eventually given to Gordon who got a deflection. There was a late chance for substitute Salomon Rondon too but his great effort was well saved.
So, a hugely needed three points, the team’s first since Arsenal back in mid December. Now, the key is can this Jeckle and Hyde side find a way to maintain this workrate and commitment?