Leeds United and Everton met on Wednesday for matchday 22 of the Premier League at Elland Road Stadium. The visitors, who had Yerry Mina throughout the game and James on the bench, they returned to victory after two dates in which they barely added a point against Leicester. This triumph keeps them in the fight for European positions, in addition to having two games less than many of his rivals.
Everton quickly opened the scoring with a goal from Gylfi Sigurdsson at 8 minutes. André Gomes sent a long pass to the left to find Lucas Digne, who controlled, settled and centered so that the Icelander will enter only through the middle of the area and thus celebrate the first.
Leeds, who played better than their rival and had more chances to score, could have tied at 19 ‘, but Egzijan Alioski’s shot crashed into the right post of the goal defended by Robin Olsen. The Toffees took advantage of the still ball for the 0-2. Sigurdsson’s corner kick, Ben Godfrey’s header at the near post and Dominic Calvert-Lewin enters for the second to score with a header.
Everton hold in the second half
The second half was similar to the first, Leeds with dominance, many arrivals and Everton holding on to come out on counterattacks when they recovered the ball in their field. At 48 minutes, the 1-2 came through Raphinha. Mason Holgate could not reject in the area and the Brazilian defined with quality the furthest post of the Swedish goalkeeper.
Olsen appeared in the 61st and 62nd minutes with three consecutive saves. First to Raphinha, then to Jack Harrison on the line and a few seconds later to Mateusz Klich from middle distance. At 71 ‘the crossbar prevented Patrick Bamford from drawing.
The last of the game was for Everton. Great backlash from Abdoulaye Doucouré, luxury assistance to hand Calvert-Lewin with Ilan Meslier, but the striker defined poorly before the good bilge of the French goalkeeper.
James, first full game on the bench
The Colombian midfielder had no action on this day, Carlo Ancelotti left the entire game on the substitute bench. His changes were Michael Keane by Richarlison, Joshua King by Alex Iwobi and Tom Davies by Gylfi Sigurdsson.
This is the second time James has gone to the bank in the Premier. He had already been in the 0-1 loss to West Ham in January, but had entered the 64 minutes by the Brazilian Bernard.
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Everton reaches 36 points and places sixth, two units from the Europa League quota and four from the Champions League. On the next date he will visit Manchester United at Old Trafford. Leeds remains in the middle of the table with 29 pts. and his next game will be against Crystal Palace at home.