MX23RW : Thursday, January 2 18:15:46| >> :120:29286:29286:
[monks data]
Leeds logo
Premier League | Gameweek 2
Aug 21, 2021 at 3pm UK
Elland Road
Everton logo

Leeds
2 - 2
Everton

Klich (41'), Raphinha (72')
Cooper (28'), Bamford (37')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Calvert-Lewin (30' pen.), Gray (50')
Mina (37'), Digne (68'), Coleman (77'), Doucoure (82')

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa satisfied with a point from 'big test' against Everton

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa satisfied with a point from 'big test' against Everton
© Reuters
The Whites had to come from behind to draw 2-2 at Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa said Leeds overcame "a big test" after their first home Premier League game of the season ended in a 2-2 draw against Everton.

Bielsa's side, humbled 5-1 at Manchester United on the opening day, hit back twice to earn a deserved point in their first top-flight game with a full house at Elland Road in 17 years.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's first-half penalty was cancelled out by Mateusz Klich before the break and after Demarai Gray had restored Everton's lead, Raphinha raised the roof with a thumping equaliser.

"The game today was a big test for the team and this was multiplied as we were behind twice," Bielsa said.

"To have been able to draw the game and to have dominated for so many moments, they are aspects to value."

It was a typically thrilling Leeds encounter as the home side set about restoring lost pride in front of a crowd of 36,293 in their accustomed dynamic style and Everton always dangerous on the counter-attack.

Bielsa's satisfaction at seeing his side back in the kind of form that lit-up the Premier League last season was tempered by some disappointment.

"Given the amount of minutes that we dominated, we should have created more chances at goal and we should have conceded less chances at our goal," he said.

"We played against an opponent that didn't need to dominate us to create danger."

Everton have taken four points from boss Rafael Benitez's first two games in charge after their 3-1 opening-day home win against Southampton and the Spaniard accepted a share of the spoils was a fair reflection.

"They were pushing from the beginning and we reacted well, especially in the second half," the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager said.

"We had the chance to score the third goal and maybe we would have been talking about something different.

"Overall, they were pushing, we were reacting and after, when we had good transitions, everything could change, but I think maybe it's fair."

Benitez, who was locked in a long conversation with Bielsa following their post-match television interviews, was impressed by his side's resilience in the face of a raucous, partisan atmosphere.

"We could see how good our fans were for us (against Southampton) and we could see today how good their fans were for them," he said.

"Our mentality, the way that the team were battling against all the things around and I'm really pleased because of that."

ID:460342:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3702:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Marcelo Bielsa

Click here for more stories about Leeds United

Game History

How you voted: Leeds vs Everton

Leeds United
33.6%
Draw
25.5%
Everton
40.9%
247
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring against Norwich City in the Premier League on August 14, 2021
Read Next:
Saturday's Premier League predictions including Liverpool vs. Burnley
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds25157345162952
2Burnley25131023092149
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd25156434161849
4Sunderland25138438221647
5Middlesbrough25117742311140
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom25912431201139
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn2411672822639
8Watford2411493434037
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2510693638-236
10Bristol City2581073230234
11Norwich CityNorwich258984136533
12Swansea CitySwansea2596102929033
13Millwall247892221129
14Coventry CityCoventry2578103335-229
15Preston North EndPreston2561182733-629
16Queens Park RangersQPR2561182733-629
17Derby CountyDerby2576123134-327
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2476112739-1227
19Stoke CityStoke2568112432-826
20Luton TownLuton2574142642-1625
21Portsmouth2358103040-1023
22Hull City2557132233-1122
23Cardiff CityCardiff2457122439-1522
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2447132453-2919


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!