Leeds United became the first reigning Championship winners in 18 years to triumph on the opening day of the succeeding Premier League season as they beat Everton 1-0 at Elland Road on Monday night. The last club to do so before LUFC were Sunderland back in the 2007/08 season.
Jordan Pickford was the busier of the two keepers on the evening, and he almost helped the Toffees come away with a point before a controversial handball call changed the course of the game.
Leeds substitute Anton Stach’s deflected shot hit the arm of James Tarkowski in the dying stages of the game. The Everton defender had his arm pretty close to his body, but the ball did make contact and referee Chris Kavanagh controversially pointed to the spot.
Up stepped Lukas Nmecha, and despite Pickford guessing the right way, the German international was able to put away his spot kick.
Leeds were otherwise good value for their victory on the evening- they had 21 shots to Everton’s 7, 55% of the ball, and 7 corners to the visitors’ 2.
The Whites will now meet Arsenal in their next league game while David Moyes’ Everton will host Brighton and Hove Albion.
