Watch the highlights as Leeds leave it late to beat Everton 1-0

At a glance

  • Lukas Nmecha scores from the spot after Everton captain James Tarkowski handles Anton Stach's shot

  • Jack Grealish plays 20 minutes as a substitute for Everton after loan move from Manchester City

  • PLAYER RATINGS

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Elland Road

Leeds United made a winning return to the Premier League as Lukas Nmecha's late penalty gave them a deserved victory against Everton at Elland Road.

Daniel Farke's side were dominant but looked like having to settle for a point until Everton captain James Tarkowski handled Anton Stach's shot six minutes from time.

Nmecha confidently dispatched the penalty to send Leeds' fans wild in what was a typically thunderous Yorkshire atmosphere.

Everton's new loan signing Jack Grealish made a 20-minute appearance as a substitute in an attempt to inject spark into a lacklustre display, with the visitors taking 53 minutes to muster a shot on target.

Leeds looked to have run out of steam in the second half, and with Everton seemingly happy to settle for one point a raucous night threatened to fizzle out - until that late drama gave the home side all three.

Lukas Nmecha celebrates after giving Leeds United the lead from the spot against Everton at Elland RoadReuters

Lukas Nmecha celebrates after giving Leeds United the lead from the spot against Everton at Elland Road

Leeds analysis: Perfect start for vibrant United

Farke on 'special' opening day win against Everton

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke stated before kick-off that his side would stick to the attacking principles that took them back into the top flight - and was true to his word.

They pinned Everton back in a state of panic throughout the first half, but could not find the breakthrough with only one of their 12 shots on target.

Leeds' concern at half-time was that they would not be able to maintain the sheer intensity after the break, fuelled by adrenalin in a supercharged Elland Road environment.

It looked like all their endeavours would only be rewarded with a point - until Tarkowski's late handball, a penalty correctly awarded after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.

Leeds survived an anxious seven minutes of stoppage time without any serious alarms for debutant goalkeeper Lucas Perri, the famous old stadium shaking when referee Chris Kavanagh blew the final whistle.

It was a night that proved, if proof were needed, that Elland Road and its hostile environment will be a key factor in Leeds United's campaign to stay in the Premier League.

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Everton analysis: Moyes needs urgent reinforcements

'You have to cut Tarkowski's arm off to avoid penalty' - Moyes

Everton manager David Moyes cut a frustrated figure throughout a difficult evening for his side, often seen with his head in his hands as they conceded possession frequently and adopted a passive approach.

It took Everton 53 minutes to have a shot, a wild effort off target from Idrissa Gueye, and it was a tough assignment to ask Grealish to breathe life into this dismal display in 20 minutes.

Moyes has expressed his concerns about the lack of signings this summer and the mediocre, undercooked fare served up by Everton at Elland Road could be used as Exhibit A to support his argument.

Everton barely mustered an attack worthy of the name and there will surely be renewed urgency to strengthen a squad which desperately needs a new right-back, a wide-right player and another defensive midfielder - just for starters.

An opening game against a newly promoted club is always hazardous, especially if that club is Leeds United at Elland Road, but Everton did not help themselves with such a conservative strategy.

Moyes was complaining to referee Kavanagh after the final whistle - but he can have no complaints about Everton leaving Elland Road empty-handed.

What next for these teams?

Leeds face a testing trip to face Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 23 August (17:30 BST) before a short trip to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup second round on Tuesday, 26 August.

Everton start a new era with their first game Hill Dickinson Stadium against Brighton on Sunday, 24 August (14:00), before a second-round tie at home to League One Mansfield Town in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, 27 August.

Player of the match

A. Tanaka
7.94
22 A. Tanaka
7.94
18 A. Stach
7.85
4 E. Ampadu
7.82
14 L. Nmecha
7.76
3 G. Gudmundsson
7.57
6 J. Rodon
7.49
5 P. Struijk
7.45
2 J. Bogle
7.43
29 W. Gnonto
7.30
1 Lucas Perri
7.28
7 D. James
7.07
10 J. Piroe
6.89
11 B. Aaronson
6.84
20 J. Harrison
6.83
44 I. Gruev
6.74
8 S. Longstaff
6.41
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