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

Fans initiative pays dividend in giving Everton early advantage

1. Goodison crowd creates an early assist

During the week, post the Newcastle horror show, a show of unity from a number of key Everton fan groups started to stir and by pre kick off at Goodison had become a full on cauldron of noise and fanaticism.

What did they do exactly to change this into a ferocious bear pit that Goodison only usually sees when the neighbours, either across the park or down the M62, are in town?

Simple, a collective call out to all Evertonians who would be in attendance against Leeds to bring a flag or a banner, get in the ground early and scream the house down for 90 minutes. Even the concourse was ‘back to normal’ pre match as you can see below!

And they did, maybe not all of those and every single Evertonian, but the majority brought into the call out. Did anyone see a Toffee tower in the sky over the Mersey? After witnessing that atmosphere that was what it seemed like.

The fans knew they needed this result against Leeds, desperately too. The Newcastle result had seen Everton slip into the relegation dogfight and the Evertonians knew they would have to get themselves involved to help Lampard and the players.

Many commentators at the game said this was Goodison at it’s raucous best, it caused Leeds to question their own game and cause hesitancy in their normal high octane play.

Fortunately for Lampard and Everton it had the exact effect required, a pulsating, intense high press straight away but with skill and a plan implemented by Lampard and his staff.

The atmosphere continued all the way through the game and not a home fan had left when the final whistle witnessed joyous scenes.

The war still has to be seen out, but this battle, and any future battle in these four corners of L4, will be remembered for Evertonians being proud to shout and fight for their team once more.