Season › 2024-25 › News Leeds United 0 - 0 Everton [L] Michael Kenrick 18/08/2025 90comments | Jump to last Latest [HT] Everton kick off their new Premier League campaign with a trip to Elland Road to take on newly-promoted Leeds United in a Monday night clash that is being broadcast live on Sky Sports. Jarrad Branthwaite is a huge miss after the young centre-back picked up a thigh injury in training. Vitalii Mykolenko is also out injured. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall makes his competitive debut for Everton. Harrison Armstrong and Tyler Onyango are amongst the subs, along with Jack Grealish, and Thierno Barry. No Aznou. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is not involved at all for the home side but Jack Harrison is on the bench. The all-too-familiar Everton kick-off saw the ball back to Pickford and wellied upfield, possession lost. But soon regained with some lively work from Iroegbunam. Gnonto then tried and failed to get past O'Brien. Leeds were snapping at every man in Blue, determined to win the ball back whenever they lost it. Alcaraz tried to get O'Brien overlapping high up but he had strayed offside. Everton looked to play the long ball over the top but it came back and Tarkowski's touch almost let Piroe in but Pickford was alert. There was danger from the Leeds corner, but the Blues kept it out. Tarkowskirather foolishly tries to dribble his way through the Leeds press as Everton's possession looked to take the early spice out of the game. Playing out from the back leads to trouble and Pirooe's shot was deflected behind for a corner, headed clear by Beto. Everton resorted back to the long ball, but that just hands Leeds possession. Gnonto danced in behind and Iroegbunam and to dive in to put it behind, the second corner leading to a third. James's attempted shot was blocked by Alcaraz. Gnonot came again down the Everton right and O'Brien had to give up the fourth corner this time straight through. The follow-up was a nightmare for Everton defensively but somehow it was kept out. Iroegbunam was again brilliant at stopping Gnonto, then Alcaraz stole the ball off Ampadu and Everton were at last able to break out of their half but nothing came of it, with Dewsbury-Hall so far a spectator in midfield, unable to get on the ball. The most dangerous attack yet saw Leeds somehow fail to score after a good cross from Bogle, with James straying offside. Leeds kept on pushing up, testing O'Brien again and again, but he had so far been solid. Another Leeds attack came to nothing with James overhitting his cross. The Blues worked their way forward through O'Brien, who won a throw, but two crosses in from Gana were very poor. Alcaraz tred to force his way into the Leeds penalty area but the ball came at him too hard. Tenaka was pulled back by Iroegbunam but no yellow card. The Blues lost possession and Tanaka fired off a speculative long-range effort. Ndiaye finally had a chance to run forward but he tried to do it all himself and Bogle stole the ball back. Leeds came back through Gudmundsson, who did better than Gnonto but drove the cross past James. Leeds worked hard to create a better attack and James could have scored but Garner put it behind for a corner. This one was very well delivered from Stach and somehow O'Brien crucially got his head to it. Dewsbury-Hall was clattered by Amapdu then Piroe fouled Gana to relieve the pressure. He got a chance to play some passes but too many of them were backwards to Gana. Very poor. No attempt to go forward, and Leeds were soon on the attack again. Garner was alert to keep the ball away from James but Leeds attacked again, Gnonto tempted into shooting over the Everton bar. Everton looked but failed to mount an attack as the half-time whistle went, with the Blues goal intact: Job One. Leeds Utd: Perri; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach; James, Piroe, Gnonto Subs: Darlow, Byram, Bornauw, Longstaff, Ramazani, Harrison, Nmecha, Gruev, Aaronson Everton: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane; Gueye, Garner; Dewsbury-Hall, Alcaraz. Ndiaye, Iroegbunam; Beto. Subs: Travers, Tyrer, McNeil, Barry, Chermiti, Grealish. Coleman, Armstrong, Onyango. Live Forum Reader Comments (90) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () David Hallwood 1 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:51:07 Evenin all, can't work out the formation, 343 poss? Christian Hill 2 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:51:08 Grealish not starting, does Moyes want to win?? Bloody joke Pat Kelly 3 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:51:20 Aznou, Barry, Grealish, non-starters. Maybe Grealish isn't quite fit but says a lot about our othet two recent signings. Lee Courtliff 4 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:51:31 3 at the back with KDH and Garner as WBs? Peter Moore 5 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:51:58 Interesting lineup! No natural fullbacks. COYB. UTFT. Ryan Holroyd 6 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:52:22 Evening everyone That squad needs another 200m to be even remotely competitive What a joke Nathan Ford 7 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:53:40 No Aznou in squad? Is he injured as we have 2 keepers on the bench? Colin Glassar 8 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:53:42 I expect Grealish to get at least 30 minutes.This team is set up to draw. Kevin Molloy 9 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:54:20 shit no Myko. what a mess. we have to write this game off, that's a weak first eleven. Rob Hooton 10 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:55:43 I’ve absolutely no idea how we’re going to set up! Surprised to see Tim start, perhaps Garner will be full back? 3-3-3-1? Les Callan 11 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:57:42 Beto left back ? Jake FitzGerald 12 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:58:02 That is one weird line-up. Christy Ring 13 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:58:29 Looking at the team tonight, we're definitely need to get players in, with injuries we are depleted in certain areas. Jeff Armstrong 14 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:59:11 Moyes doesn’t fancy Aznou atm, subbed him off against Roma after subbing him on, bet that did wonders for the lads confidence 10 days after joining us, now not even on the bench with our regular LB out injured, welcome to Everton Adam. Mark Murphy 15 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:59:20 Grealish off the bench is a better option than we’ve had for a long time. Tommy Carter 16 Posted 18/08/2025 at 18:59:53 @ Ryan. It doesn’t Ryan. It just needs round pegs in round holes. Don’t have to be world beaters. But when you haven’t got a proper right back. Sign one as priority. Likewise a winger. It’s like Mykolenko. He’s very average at best. But he is a left back. And when he plays there he can at least help the team to function properly Sam Hoare 17 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:00:13 Is Aznou injured? Why else would our only fit left back not be on the bench at least.Looks a strange lineup to me. Jeff Armstrong 18 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:00:23 Rather Grealish went off after an hour with us 2-0 up. Ralph Basnett 19 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:00:59 3331 Steve Byles 20 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:01:24 Could be Moyes is putting the pressure on the owners to get a move in with signings. Jeff Armstrong 21 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:01:58 Harry Tyrer preferred on the bench rather than our new left back! Kieran Kinsella 22 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:02:05 What an uninspiring line up. Is McNeil carrying a knock? Jeff Armstrong 23 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:03:01 You shouldn’t be using important league games to make a point. Ian Bennett 24 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:03:13 Looks a mess. Perhaps dewesbury hall will cover left wing back.Grealish clearly not match fit, and hence on bench. No other reason. Les Callan 25 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:04:02 Maybe Aznou’s second name is idea. Ryan Holroyd 26 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:04:05 That squad is absolutely shite and needs another 200m spent to be remotely competitive. A disgraceful transfer window so far. The friedkin group are a disgrace. What an awful squad we have. Yet some on here (Tommy) think we should be targeting a trophy because we spent 69m😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 David Williams 27 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:05:33 More things change, the more they stay the same. Jeff Armstrong 28 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:05:33 Les 25, reminded me of Dissa Pointon Derek Knox 29 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:06:55 With no recognised LB I would have thought McNeil, could have been used there, very strange set up to be honest ! Ajay Gopal 30 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:07:07 Surely that’s a 3-4-3 lineup with Gueye, Garner, Tim and KDH as the midfielders. That is quite a solid midfield, but worried about the pace of Gnonto against Keane. Yikes! Tim being preferred to NcNeil is interesting. Wonder what Moyes has seen in training from Tim? Off to bed now, got an early day tomorrow. All the best, Blues! Kieran Kinsella 31 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:08:47 Is this a Moyes "cry for help" line up like that season opener at Blackburn when he fielded 15 year old Jose Baxter and Jags as the midfield? I realize options are limited but is this the best 11? Dave Lynch 32 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:09:00 Or is this Moyes just being Moyes.Start with a point and try and protect the point... I would of thought he'd learnt his lesson by now...play your strongest team.I fucking despair at his choices and tactics sometimes, then again I did under Moyes MK1. Derek Powell 33 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:11:52 What's the shout in Moyes we trust Andy Crooks 34 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:12:01 Strange line up. Moyes has banked enough goodwill to do what he wants. If this team can win it will be a wonderful start because we will have much better line ups to come. Jeff Armstrong 35 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:12:23 Id have McNeil LWB, Garner RWB with Grealish in the middle , no Tim or Alcaraz.Tarks , Jake, Keane in a 3. Simon Dalzell 36 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:12:56 Negative... The Dour Davie Moniker resurfaced after a long absence. Drifting like a Barge in Bettting. No Wonder. Is He Sean dyche in disguise, is he Sean Dyche in Disguise. ? David Bromwell 37 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:13:20 I thought things would be difficult, but this is a strange line up and I imagine the players will struggle. The Manager had easier options, but he seems to have to have made things worse. Not confident at all. Ryan Holroyd 38 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:14:57 Let’s blame ANOTHER manager because the squad is under funded AGAIN Sean Kearns 39 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:15:00 No Seamus is criminal Christy Ring 41 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:16:12 Didn't Aznou limp off against Roma? Lewis Barclay 42 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:17:59 Happy to see Armstrong on the bench. Jeff Armstrong 43 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:19:01 Ryan, surely he could’ve picked a better 11 out of what he HAS got, not what he doesn’t have.Grealish and KDH, even Aznou would have mixed it up a bit and given us something to look forward to, instead it’s going to be more of the same, misplaced passes and Beto fed on scraps. Andy Duff 44 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:21:42 The squad is yet again not ready. It's a disgrace we start the season like this. Then not effective play the new players we have got. If we win tonight then fair play to Moyes. Ian Bennett 45 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:21:46 Jeff do you honestly not think he would have picked Grealish if he was fit enough to play from the start? Neil Lawson 46 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:21:52 Err ? No one forecast that line up !!9 Jimmy Carr 47 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:23:03 Didn't expect Grealish to start, Moyes will play cagey for the first half before bringing on the cavalry. He's done it many times before. COYB. Raymond Fox 48 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:23:29 Leeds odds have shortened to 11/8, we are 9/4 from 2/1 probably because of the team news.Favs don't always win though. Jeff Armstrong 49 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:23:35 Ian, Grealish isn’t match fit, but id rather get the first hour out of him than the last half hour when chasing a game. Scott Hamilton 51 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:24:45 I’m hoping that the most vociferous of the comments on this thread haven’t aged well come 10pm! Jeff Armstrong 52 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:25:12 Scott 51, so am I Anthony Dove 53 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:26:58 Grealish can’t get in the team. Wow we’re really on the up. Only joking. A typical Moyes line up. Christy Ring 54 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:28:26 Moyes stated again to Monday Night Football, player's turned us down, and he still wants to bring more players in, so no point in whinging on here about the owners? Ryan Holroyd 55 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:29:24 Yes Anthony- it’s ANOTHER manager’s fault the squad is underfunded YET again. Jay Harris 56 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:30:19 So it looks like the 69m spent has not been spent well if only one of the new signings can get a start in a depleted squad.Aznou must be injured and no McNeill.Someone is having a laugh and it’s not our supporters. Si Cooper 57 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:30:43 Steve (20), that’s just nuts!Jeff (14), then why was he on the bench against Roma? He had to come on pretty early on and while it didn’t go brilliantly for him in that game there may have been other reasons for taking him off when he did.Not surprised he’s not starting but surprised he’s not on bench at least. Could be injured or even sick. Ian Bennett 58 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:33:06 Jeff as far as I am aware, he's not played any pre season minutes. Playing him from the off when hes been at the club in under a week wouldn't be advisable.I think youre just filling the injury room. Aznou I assume is injured. Pat Kelly 59 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:34:10 Imagine players turning down a chance to sit on our bench Jeff Armstrong 60 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:34:15 Si, Aznou was on the bench against Roma because he was our newly signed left back cover, he didn’t play well when coming on and I sincerely hope he is not fit rather than Moyes making an early judgement call, he’s obviously one for the future but we’re desperate at LB atm.Ian , I get your point, but we’re desperate for creativity, even McNeil is not playing and he can create more than say Tim O. Kieran Kinsella 61 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:34:40 Where is King the "pseudo goalkeeping coach" at? Jake FitzGerald 62 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:43:29 No DCL for Leeds Ian Bennett 63 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:43:54 Its looking like he doesnt fancy Mcneil. Mike Powell 64 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:44:52 Strange team selection Alan J Thompson 65 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:48:59 Kieran(#61); He's on the training ground, apparently.He wouldn't be playing Iroebugnam at left back, would he? Andy Crooks 66 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:52:20 As someone who was appalled at the return of Moyes, I think it is utterly unfair to be negative about him. He should be given, at the very least, a couple of weeks! Jay Harris 67 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:55:12 Looks like Jimmy Garner at LB ? Andrew Clare 68 Posted 18/08/2025 at 19:58:12 Any links? Conor McCourt 69 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:01:35 Ryan I think we get your point from the first 6000 posts Robert Tressell 70 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:03:31 Two very evenly matched teams. Leeds have a good solid looking 4231 / 433. We have a mystery formation with some square pegs and round holes. Presumably fitness issues. Both teams light on actual quality. Ndiaye v Gnonto. Who is going to lift the occasion? Paul Kossoff 71 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:05:40 No commentary on Merseyside, Shame on you BBC, if it as the other shite they would be on, best for sport BBC? Lewis Barclay 72 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:10:58 Garner looking like he hasn’t any idea what game is playing, let alone what position Paul Kossoff 73 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:11:25 No DLC, no Harrison? Moyes rubbing his hands on Harrison being told he can go. Talk sport saying Everton are so unbalanced Moyes has to do something. Already?😕 Paul Kossoff 74 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:15:07 We get to half time nil nil will be welcome. Paul Kossoff 75 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:17:57 Leeds have their fifth corner of the game.We've only played 14 minutes. Paul Armstrong 76 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:20:20 Any links please? Peter Gorman 77 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:23:56 Be careful what you ask for, Paul Lewis Barclay 78 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:25:09 Zero composure up to this moment. Paul Kossoff 79 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:25:56 Peter, I'll take nil nil full time now! Paul Kossoff 80 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:30:45 We have set up to invite Leeds to attack, Tarks arguing with players Pickford arguing, Everton look like a championship side, Leeds an established premier League team. Leeds keeper asking for his phone to play candy crush. Les Callan 81 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:32:00 Real Madrid are playing well. Paul Kossoff 82 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:34:10 30 minutes, Everton's first touch in the Leeds box! Lewis Barclay 83 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:37:26 Paul @80 “set up” is a stretch Paul Kossoff 84 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:39:56 Off the line by O'Brian. Keep a clean sheet, Leeds will start to get frustrated, but Moyes has to do drastic changes at half time. So much pressure we are under. Paul Kossoff 85 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:42:12 Lewis, with this team, I think it's us the fans who are being set up. Tommy Carter 86 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:48:34 It appears that we’ve only gone and brought a knife to a gun fight Les Callan 87 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:48:39 Commentator has just said that Moyes will be reasonably happy. Lordy Lordy. Scott Hamilton 88 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:49:20 Anybody want to buy my hospitality ticket for Sunday’s game?! LOL! 😜 Michael Kenrick 89 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:51:35 I think Leeds will be very frustrated after that half. Yes, all Everton did really was defend and — per the scoreline — they did that effectively. Can't believe that xG for Leeds — only 0.4? I had the impression they had made a load of chances, just failed to convert. Christy Ring 90 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:51:57 Garner very accomplished at left back, Alcaraz hardly got a touch. Alan J Thompson 91 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:53:31 It took so long to get onto Stan that I missed the first 5 minutes but we were awful with no idea looking more like a Dyche side. Most of the midfield look lost and are we actually playing a striker and if so why, 11 strangers. Why are the Linesmen so slow with the offside flag, waiting for VAR and where was VAR for an obvious corner that wasn't given as the Officials were that far behind as they need to be told by VAR!We need something more in midfield and a wide outlet, DC-L is probably glad he's out of it. Dave Abrahams 92 Posted 18/08/2025 at 20:55:29 Tommy (86) exaggeration there Tommy more like a fuckin’ big white sheet——what an embarrassment that forty five minutes was from an Everton team(?) Not much on the bench to change, mind you one of the goalies might be better than one or two playing out, can’t be any bleedin’ worse. 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