Match Report

Sean Dyche registered his second successive home win as Everton manager and the Blues lifted themselves out of the bottom three thanks to Seamus Coleman’s stunning second-half strike.

The veteran Irishman scored the opener in this fixture a year ago and this time he surprised Illan Meslier by hooking the ball into the goal from an improbable angle on the right side of the penalty area.

Everton were the better side on the day but frequently let themselves down in final third, although Meslier had to be at his best to deny James Tarkowski a first-half opener from a corner, Max Wöber headed out from under his own bar from Conor Coady, Weston McKennie cleared a Neal Maupay header off the line, and Abdoulaye Doucouré made a mess of a gilt-edged chance to put the game to bed at the end.

Leeds, for their part, failed to unduly test Jordan Pickford in the Blues’ goal despite being giffed a number of chances to put the hosts’ back line under pressure in the latter stages of the game.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin still out with a hamstring problem, Maupay was preferred to Ellis Sims up front and while Everton did employ plenty of direct balls forward, it was their passing through midfield and attempts to get the ball in quickly from the flanks that seemed the most likely avenue to a goal in the first half.

Nevertheless, it was Maupay’s presence challenging for a ball forward that saw the ball break to Amadou Onana but the Belgian spurned a decent opening by dragging a weak shot well off target in the fifth minute.

Vitalii Mykolenko went down in the box amid vain appeals for a penalty in the 18th minute and a mistake by Meslier three minutes later when he dropped the ball on the 18-yard line should have been punished but Dwight McNeil elected not to shoot and Onana was robbed of the ball as he tried to engineer space for an effort his own from 10 yards out.

Idrissa Gueye then popped up on the right flank where he collected a pass from Alex Iwobi and cut it back for Onana but the midfielder skied a first-time shot into the Park End. And when McNeil curled a corner to the back post eight minutes before half-time, Tarkowski looked to replicate his goalscoring feat against Arsenal a fortnight ago but Meslier was equal to his header, batting it away from the top corner with two hands.

A skirmish on the touchline then erupted as McNeil and Tyler Adams squared up to each other and melée ensured that saw the Everton winger shoved into the advertising hoardings but a couple of yellow cards for each team was the only result.

Leeds, meanwhile, had seen their best chance passed up by Bamford who air-kicked a cross by McKennie, managed their only effort on goal in first-half stoppage time as Crysencio Summerville headed narrowly over Pickford’s crossbar.

The visitors were markedly better after the break but it was Everton who continued to carve out the better openings, their lack of an efferctive striker and reliable creative presence in forward areas painfully evident.

McNeil tried a cushioned volley that ended up being a pass that eluded Maupay in the box five minutes after the restart, the Frenchman failed to work the goalkeeper with a shot on the turn eight minutes later and Mykolenko had another effort comfortably saved before Coleman broke the deadlock in stunning fashion.

Iwobi chipped the ball over the last defender down the right flank to find the skipper’s run and with no blue shirts gambling in the centre, Coleman appeared to chance his luck by going for goal, the ball arrowing behind the keeper and inside the far post to light up what had been a nervy Goodison Park.

Tarkowski met a McNeil corner with a near-post run but couldn’t keep the ball down while Onana was forced off with a knock with 17 minutes to go and Everton began to be pegged back by an increasingly desperate Leeds side.

Jack Harrison wasted two promising set-piece opportunities, however, by depositing the ball straight out of play on both occasions and the Yorkshiremen weren’t able to muster a decent goalscoring chance while Everton really should have killed the game in the 88th minute.

Ellis Simms, on for Maupay, did superbly to loft the ball over the top for Doucouré to gallop towards the Leeds box but rather than gamble with a left-foot shot, he tried to bring it back into his right and it ended up getting caught under his feet and it was hacked clear.

Then Doucouré cut the ball back from the right for substitute Tom Davies but his shot was blocked and Gueye volleyed the rebound wide before referee Andy Madley blew for full-time after four minutes of added time.

Though there were wins for all three teams that had begun the day in the bottom three of the Premier League for the first time in eight years, the win vaults the Toffees out of the relegation zone and into 16th place with another home game to come next weekend against Aston Villa.

Lyndon Lloyd

Matchday Updates

Everton took on Leeds United at Goodison Park in a massive game that should set the tone for the ongoing relegation battle at the bottom of the Premier League, with Seamus Coleman fantastic strike winning it for the Blues. 

Sean Dyche is in command for his second home match, but has already ruled out Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose injury problems appear to mystify even him as manager. So far, only Simms has been considered as a suitable stand-in for target man, but he struggled to impact the derby at Anfield on Monday.

Meanwhile, James Garner and Nathan Patterson both came through run-outs for the U21s last night in their draw with Spurs at Southport but neither player is risked, Sean Dyche going with the expected line-up with Maupay starting in place of Simms in the lone striker role where he has hardly excelled to date. 

It was pretty scrappy, and a little frenetic from the kick-off, with Everton playing against the wind, but Mykolenko did at least deliver in a cross but nothing came of it. At the other end, Leeds won an early corner that Coady had to head behind at the far post.

Pickford punted long but it was a lottery in midfield and the ball came back to him but Onana picked up an unintentional layoff and strode forward, producing an utterly terrible shot that squirmed away from goal.

Leeds pressed with some intent and Gueye had to welly the ball upfield for temporary relief. Everton built ponderously down the right, through a series of throw-ins that finally saw a sky-high cross Onana could not do much with.

Mykolenko tried to drive in and then won Everton's first corner, delivered by Iwobi straight into Meslier's grasp.  Everton tried to pass forward but kept going backwards until Pickford punted upfield again, and out of play. 

Everton tried to work it forward but McNeil'ss cross was easily collected by Meslier. Everton recirculated the ball and McNeil hit his next cross at rocket speed over everyone and out of play. Play continued in Leeds's half, Onan challenging Meslier and getting the ball but neither he nor McNeil nor Maupay nor Doucoure could take a strike at the loose ball and the chance was gone. 

But McNeil then put on a far better low cross that curled out away from Meslier but any attack on the ball by a blue shirt was maddeningly spurned. An Everton free kick from Iwobi was repelled and his second attempt hit over everyone. 

Leeds came back into the game for a spell but could not get into the Everton penalty area. But Onana needed treatment. There were more tussles, McNeil treading on Adams's hand, McNeil fouling a defender – all very scrappy until Gana did really well to break through and set up Onana, but what another shockingly poor strike, flying over the Leeds bar.  

At the other end, Leeds worked a chance that Bamford drove across Pickford and inches wide of the far post. Then Harrison with a scuffed shot had Pickford scrambling to cover. 

Doucoure won a corner with a blocked shot that was delivered well by McNeil to the far post, Tarkowski heading it back in, and it dropped to Maupay whose header beat Meslier but was cleared off the line by McKennie, a massive chance. 

Iwobi won another corner with a poor cross. NcNeil swung it to the far post and Tarkowski headed it on target but Meslier batted it away. Another corner to the far post from the other side came off Onana's shoulder and out. Everton showing promise but is unable to produce the required finish. 

Another good McNeil cross from the left again spurned by Maupay who made no attempt, Meslier parrying the next corner. Good Everton pressure with no end product. Excellent work by Gana to halt Leeds in midfield.

Leeds put two men on McNeil the next time he tried to overlap, time and it all flared up between McNeil and Adams, another really stupid handbag session involving at least half of both teams. Sort that one out, Ref! Four yellow cards. 

A decidedly old-fashioned suitably heated relegation battle, Ayling getting a good headed chance that he put over at the whistle. All to play for!!!

Everton restarted the game and McNeil this time fired a wayward effort high into the Gwladys Street. More chances came Everton's way but McNeil drove wide across the penalty area. Leeds then had a half-chance, Gnoto going down the right and pulling the back to the onrushing Bamford who can't connect and ends up air-kicking the ball.

A McNeil free-kick was easily repelled and almost led to a Leeds counter until Gana intervened. But Gana could not anticipate Iwobi's overhit pass out of play. Everton looked to build a much better attack but sadly Coleman had strayed offside. 

McNeil spread the ball well to Mykolenko and Maupay looked to trap the cross, turn and shoot but it was a weak effort in the end, straight at Meslier. McNeil then tried to find Maupay but it just didn't stick. Meanwhile, Leeds again got forward in numbers but thankfully played the ball into Pickford's hands. 

Leeds caused momentary havoc with a high-bouncing ball. At the other end, Mykolenko spoiled a good move with a poor shot that was straight at Meslier. 

A ball down the right from Iwobi seemed destined for the goalline but Seamus Coleman clearly had other ideas when he glimpsed a gap behind Meslier and his brilliant shot from an almost impossibly narrow angle almost glanced off the face of the near post, it was that fine a margin, as it nestled inside the netting on the far side of the goal. Absolutely superb finish from the old man! That really set Goodison alight!

More chances came as Everton looked to take further advantage but Leeds tried to respond, taking a corner short and fortunately wasting it. But now it was end to end, switching from excited anticipation to fearful panic as each side searched for the next goal. 

Leeds worked hard and almost created a chance for Bamford, with Everton reduced to some last-ditch defending. But a Leeds free-kick was happily cheered as it floated harmlessly out of play. 

Tarkowski had to foul Bamford, giving up another dangerous freekick 35 yards out but it was spooned straight out behind by Harrison. Everton's turn to push forward but Gana tried to be too intricate, allowing Leeds to counter but Bamford could not profit from it. 

Iwobi was fouled in the corner, McNeil singing in the free-kick too close to Meslier. Leeds were able to break and win a corner. Somehow Ayling was denied but Leeds kept coming back, Gana clearing with a rugby kick. 

Mykolenko gave away a cheap free-kick that caused more frenetic panic in the Everton defence until it was cleared up to Simms who saw Doucoure in space and fed him a beautiful ball but he lumbered forward slowly, allowing the Leeds players to come across him without even trying to shoot at goal.  Utterly criminal. 

Leeds forced yet another attack going into 4 more minutes of added time. Simms tried to battle his way through as Goodison found its collective voice to will the team over the finish line. 

McNeil had a chance to run or pass but stalled. Davies had a half-chance that was blocked away before the final whistle went on another much-needed Dyche-inspired home win. 

Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Onana (73' Davies), Gana, Doucoure [Y:44'], Iwobi, McNeil [Y:44'], Maupay (81' Simms).

Subs not Used: Begovic, Holgate, Gray, Mina, Keane, Godfrey, Vinagre.

Leeds Utd: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Wober (45' Kristensen), Firpo, Adams [Y:44'], McKennie [Y:44'] (78' Rutter), Summerville (61' Aaronson), Harrison (86' Greenwood), Gnonto [Y:90+5'], Bamford.

Subs not Used: Robles, Cooper, Gyabi, Monteiro, Joseph.

Attendance: 39,232

Michael Kenrick

Match Preview

Everton go into another massive relegation "six-pointer" this weekend as they host Leeds United knowing that a victory would vault them out of the bottom three for the first time since early January.

The Blues come into the weekend sitting a point behind the Yorkshiremen with both teams having played 22 games each and the hosts will be hoping for a repeat of this same fixture last year when they beat Marcelo Bielsa's side handsomely 3-0.

This, too, will be Sean Dyche's second home game in charge and, like Lampard after a disappointing loss away from home at Newcastle on 8 February last year, he will be looking for a reaction in front of the Goodison faithful following Monday's defeat in the Anfield derby.

Dyche will have to engineer a victory without Dominic Calvert-Lewin., though, as the striker will be missing from the line-up for a second match running due to his troublesome hamstring.

Calvert-Lewin managed a hugely productive hour against Arsenal in Dyche's first match in charge a fortnight ago but missed the Merseyside derby after not training during the previous week due to discomfort in the muscle.

Dyche's comments on Monday evening, when Calvert-Lewin was deputised by the inexperienced Ellis Simms, suggested that the club's medical staff might slow down the 25-year-old's training in an effort to get his whole body more fit was an indication that he wouldn't be available on Saturday and that is now the case.

Dyche said in his pre-match press conference today that it was "improbable" that Calvert-Lewin would be involved against Leeds.

"The root of the problem is pretty easy from the medical side of things," the manager explained. "Now it's just time to make sure his body's well."

Asked how he would deal with his main centre-forward's absence, Dyche said: "We've got other good players here and I think it's more important to focus on them at this stage because that's who we've got available."

While he wasn't giving anything away in his presser, Dyche's comments regarding opportunities for Neal Maupay and Demarai Gray in certain situations, combined with Simms's struggles to make an impact against Liverpool, suggest perhaps that one of the two substitutes at Anfield will get the nod to start against Leeds.

Gray is Everton's top scorer in all competitions this season with five but Maupay is a more conventional second striker, even if the presence of either will necessitate a change in approach play from the predominantly direct tactics they employed against the Gunners when Calvert-Lewin was up top. 

Meanwhile, James Garner and Nathan Patterson will be given a run-out for the Under-21s tomorrow as they complete the final stage of their respective recoveries having rejoined first-team training last week.

With their search for a more permanent successor to Jesse Marsch having failed to bear fruit so far, Leeds will travel with interim boss Michael Skubala taking charge of his third match since the American was sacked.

He will welcome Pascal Struijk back to his team after he was cleared following a concussion but is unlikely to risk Marc Roca or Liam Cooper even though both will undergo fitness late tests. The game might also come too soon for Sonny Perkins but Stuart Dallas, Luis Sinisterra, Adam Forshaw, Archie Gray and Rodrigo Machado are ruled out.

Even with those injuries, Leeds remain a dangerous side, with Wilfried Gnonto in particular coming to life in recent weeks as a real handful. He scored at Old Trafford in the Whites' 2-2 draw against Manchester United 10 days ago and, alongside the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison, will one of the visitors' danger men to keep in check.

A 3 pm kick-off at Goodison where the size of the occasion will almost certainly prompt a raucous atmosphere; all that remains is for the Toffees to put on a strong performance to try and take another step towards survival with three precious points. 

Kick-off: 3 pm, Saturday, 18 February 2023 
Referee: Andy Madley
VAR: Michael Oliver
Last Time: Everton 3 - 0 Leeds United

Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Gueye, Onana, Iwobi, Doucouré, McNeil, Maupay

Lyndon Lloyd

^* Unfortunately, we cannot control other sites' content policies and therefore cannot guarantee that links to external reports will remain active.