Everton 1-1 Leeds United: Barry cancels out Justin opener in gritty affair | OneFootball

Leeds United extended their cushion above the relegation zone to six points on Monday evening, as they battled to a 1-1 draw with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Daniel Farke’s side enjoyed the better of the first half in L3 and James Justin handed them a merited lead at the interval as he crashed home Anton Stach’s sweeping delivery.

The Toffees forced their way back into the contest 15 minutes from time, as Thierno Barry tucked home his fifth Premier League goal of the season to ensure the spoils were shared.

As it happened

Everton instantly heaped pressure on the Leeds backline with a string of early corners but it was the away side who grew into the contest as the first half progressed.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin almost fired Leeds in front as he burst onto a looping ball but his former teammate Jordan Pickford was off his line quickly to smother the chance.

Daniel Farke’s team did deservedly get their noses in front just shy of the half hour mark courtesy of James Justin’s first Premier League goal of the season.

Anton Stach latched onto the ball down the right flank and fizzed a delivery into the area which evaded both Calvert-Lewin and Brenden Aaronson, but Justin was on hand to lash beyond Pickford.

Calvert-Lewin was inches away from inflicting further punishment on his former employers five minutes later as he stabbed Jayden Bogle’s deflected cross goalwards, only to see it come crashing back off of the woodwork.

The increasingly incensed home support roared David Moyes’ side on as the second period began with Leeds gradually sinking deeper into their own territory.

Iliman Ndiaye had a golden chance to level proceedings but Sebastiaan Bornauw thwarted the returning Senegalese international, before Karl Darlow produced a magnificent stop to deny Thierno Barry’s improvised attempt.

Barry did restore parity with 15 minutes of regulation time remaining as he turned Idrissa Gueye’s cross beyond Darlow, for his second goal in as many games.

Everton pressed on for a winner with Leeds unsettled and Gueye saw his own attempt rattle the frame of the goal two minutes after the equaliser.

Both sides had opportunities to pinch a late decider with substitutes Sean Longstaff and Tyler Dibling squandering from good areas, but the game ultimately petered out.

Analysis: Leeds’ physical prowess pays dividends once more

Whilst Sunderland have received plenty of plaudits for their recruitment approach and subsequent start to the season, Leeds’ work in the market has comparatively flown under the radar.

The Whites have added an abundance of power into a squad already littered with the likes of Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Jayden Bogle and that bruiser attitude is making the difference.

Rodon flung himself at a bouncing ball in the build up to the opening goal whilst Calvert-Lewin was a constant thorn in Everton’s side.

Farke deserves immense credit for tweaking the side on a game by game basis, with the Toffees struggling to get to grips with his use of Brendan Aaronson in a withdrawn forward role all evening.

It’s now five results in their last six away matches across all competitions for Leeds. Imposing themselves on their travels in the same fashion they do at Elland Road will be pivotal if they’re to preserve their Premier League status.