Everton 3 Leeds 0: Five ways Toffees lifted the Goodison gloom

Goodison Park was a cauldron of noise as Everton beat Leeds United 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. It was a crucial victory and one that was won on and off the pitch.

A number of Everton fan groups had called for the fans to get in as early as possible, bring flags and banners and create an atmosphere that would not only lift a fragile Everton side, but also intimidate a Leeds side missing key players.

Of course Everton were missing key players too, Yerry Mina, Demarai Gray and a still sidelined by Covid regulations Vitaliy Mykolenko were not available to add to the injury/missing list from previous weeks. This meant defensively Frank Lampard had to make key decisions.

As we had already discussed earlier in the week Lampard had to go to a flat back four to match Leeds tactically. That meant someone would have to play out of position at left back and Lampard went for JonJoe Kenny with the other starting back three retaining there places minus the injured Mina.

Donny Van De Beek came in for Andre Gomes in midfield and Dominic Calvert-Lewin returned to the starting line up to replace Gray. Also maybe surprisingly Alex Iwobi was the one chosen to add attacking numbers in place of Andros Townsend who had a disappointing night at left wing back on Tuesday night at Newcastle.

Leeds kept the same side that had played in the thrilling six goal draw at Villa Park on Wednesday night.

Aside from the brilliant crowd atmosphere at Goodison, which we will look at also, how did Everton and Lampard get not only this important victory, but by such a convincing margin also.

Great performances from previously low on confidence players, the introduction of Van De Beek, Anthony Gordon showing his versatility and hunger and how the backroom staff tweaked attacking set pieces to get that crucial second goal.

Let’s start, as football should always do so, with those fans…