Leeds United and Everton played an entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon, when the two sides put on a show for the returning Elland Road audience.
The first half started calmly and it took a moment of madness from the white captain Liam Cooper to separate the sides. The shots dragged Dominic Calvert-Lewin into the box in the 26th minute, and although the referee missed it at the first showing, he sentenced the penalty after consulting the VAR screen on the sideline.
HALF TIME: #LUFC and Everton take a break on equal terms, after Mateusz Klich interrupted Dominic Calvert Lewin’s opening. 1-1 pic.twitter.com/tU3jhxzF4r
– Leeds United (@LUFC) 21 August 2021
Calvert-Lewin stepped forward and sent out the penalty, putting Everton in front at half-time. But Leeds struck back in 40 minutes, after a fantastic work from Raphinha and Patrick Bamford was rounded off by Mateusz Klich.
It took just five minutes of the second half for Everton to regain the lead, as new signing Demarai Gray announced himself on Merseyside with a fine finish past Illan Meslier.
Leeds survived some fears in the second half when Toffees looked to kill the game, but Meslier kept the hosts within one. It turned out to be crucial in the 72nd minute, when Raphinha fired a fantastic shot from the edge of the box into the far corner and sent Elland Road faithfully wild.
Neither side could find the important fifth goal in the game and the substitutions were shared.
Let’s look at the players’ ratings.
Straff ges / Jan Kruger / Getty Images
Illan Meslier (GK) – 8/10 – Little to do until the penalty, but could not keep out Calvert-Lewin’s kick. Made a couple of important saves after Gray had led Everton forward.
Luke Ayling (RB) – 7/10 – Sometimes tucked in as part of a back three, which acts as a right side center back. Flexibility is the key to Bielsa’s fluid system.
Pascal Struijk (CB) – 6/10 – A better show than the chaotic show at Old Trafford, but still far from convincing. Diego Llorente is missing.
Liam Cooper (CB) – 6/10 – Absolutely ridiculous decision to drag Calvert-Lewin into the box. Without a doubt, it was a punishment. Fixed assist with Raphinha’s strike.
Junior Firpo (LB) – 6/10 – No bad hero debut. Hit nicely on the left side and did not allow Iwobi the space he needed to attack and cause problems.
? The Polish prince strikes again! pic.twitter.com/DgyjKISu2N
– Leeds United (@LUFC) 21 August 2021
Mateusz Klich (CM) – 7/10 – A quiet first half, but came on the estate towards the end of the first 45, which rounded off an excellent move to draw Leeds level.
Calvin Phillips (CM) – 7/10 – Helped Leeds dominate possession from the off, showing their steel and control in the middle of the park. Had a crack in the goal that deflected wide. Good delivery for the second goal.
Stuart Dallas (CM) – 6/10 – Lots of industry and worked hard to get the ball back for Phillips to hand out. Will be disappointed to have let Gray get his shot from a tight angle.
Brazilian Struggle / Jan Kruger / Getty Images
Raphinha (RW) – 8/10 – Worked some smart shooting angles for himself in the first half, but could not hit the target. Hidden more centrally and looked dangerous. Good job with the first equalizer. Found its range with a fantastic punch to pull Leeds level for the second time.
Patrick Bamford (ST) – 7/10 – Left one on Mina in the first half, and caused a mini quarrel between the pair. Got his revenge by unpacking assists for Klich’s equalizer.
Jack Harrison (LW) – 6/10 – Excellent working speed, tracks back and keeps track of Coleman and his overlapping runs. Did not have the impact he had hoped for in the attack.
Sub / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA / Getty Images
Tyler Roberts (AM) – 6/10
Jamie Shackleton (CM) – 7/10
Mina gets the party started / Jan Kruger / Getty Images
Jordan Pickford (GK) – 6/10 – Could only watch as the defense parted as the Red Sea in front of him for Klich’s cheeky finish. Nothing stops Raphinha’s effort.
Seamus Coleman (RB) – 7/10 – Typically stoic and uncompromising on the right flank. Not easy against such a busy winger as Harrison but never caught a cold. Got a yellow card.
Yerry Mina (CB) – 7/10 – Back in the team and was given the task of challenging Bamford and his physical style of play. Sparks began to fly at the end of the first half. Left exposed by Keane for the first leveler.
Michael Keane (CB) – 6/10 – Another nervous display. Got a bad situation for Leeds’ equalizer, then missed the interception. Bailed out by his attacking teammates.
Lucas Digne (LB) – 7/10 – Put in a strong performance and whip in lots of crosses to try to find Calvert-Lewin in the area. A really impressive part of the defensive unit.
Surrounded / Jan Kruger / Getty Images
Allan (CM) – 7/10 – Bite into many challenges and land a hefty foul on Phillips. He loves a fight. The perfect man needed to fight the relentless Leeds midfield.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (CM) – 7/10 – Almost Everton put over immediately after Leeds’ equalizer with a long-distance drive that Meslier spilled out. Got assist for others.
Richarlison (AM) – 6/10 – Could not get on the ball as much as he had wanted, but always posed a threat when his teammates picked him out. A calmer afternoon than usual.
Spot on? #LEEEVE? @ CalvertLewin14 pic.twitter.com/jtrfdoIWbq
– Everton (@Everton) August 21, 2021
Alex Iwobi (RW) – 6/10 – Extremely quiet in the first half, anonymous in the last third and lacks murderous touch to get Everton to go up on the pitch. Floated wide as Richarlison moved into the middle.
Dominic Calvert -Lewin (ST) – 8/10 – Could not quite reach a post from wide to poke the ball home. Pulled down by Cooper and won the penalty for his team. Took the fire himself and stopped it.
Demarai Gray (LW) – 8/10 – Went into the game and often threatened and showed lightning speed and tricks. Bugged the goal his display deserved with an excellent finish on the left foot. One to watch this season.
75 ‘Our first change in the afternoon:
➡️ Townsend ⬅️ Iwobi
2️ 2-2? pic.twitter.com/WXrRHuzR5t
– Everton (@Everton) August 21, 2021
Andros Townsend (RW) – 6/10
Fabian Delph (CM) – 6/10
Moise Cain (ST) – N / A
