Leeds United made a triumphant return to the Premier League with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Everton at a raucous Elland Road. The deciding moment came late in the match, with debutant Lukas Nmecha holding his nerve to convert a controversial penalty that left Everton furious.
The game seemed destined to end in a stalemate until the 84th minute, when a shot from Anton Stach struck Everton defender James Tarkowski. The referee judged the incident as handball, awarding Leeds a penalty despite protests from the away side. Tarkowski himself described the call as “bizarre,” insisting his arm was in a natural position. VAR upheld the decision, intensifying the frustration for Everton players and fans.
Just six minutes after stepping onto the pitch for his debut, Nmecha shouldered the responsibility. With immense pressure on his shoulders, the German forward kept his composure, sending Jordan Pickford the wrong way and sparking wild celebrations in the stands. The goal instantly cemented his place in Leeds folklore, marking a dream start to life at Elland Road.
Leeds had dominated much of the first half, registering 12 shots as they pressed for an opener. Although they failed to break the deadlock early, their persistence was eventually rewarded. Manager Daniel Farke highlighted the importance of turning Elland Road into a fortress, praising the energy of his players and the unrelenting support of the fans. For a newly-promoted side, he stressed, building momentum at home could be the difference between survival and relegation.
The victory carried extra weight, as recent Premier League history has often seen promoted teams struggle to maintain their top-flight status. This result, alongside Sunderland’s 3-0 win over West Ham, marked only the third time in the league’s history that two of the three newly-promoted sides have won on the opening weekend.
For Everton, the evening ended in bitter disappointment. Despite introducing Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish in the second half, they lacked the cutting edge to trouble Leeds’ defense. The controversial penalty call ultimately proved costly, denying them a point on the road. Tarkowski’s frustration summed up the mood in the Everton camp: a single moment of misfortune had undone their defensive resilience.
As the dust settles, Leeds will celebrate a memorable homecoming, while Everton are left questioning how quickly fortunes can turn in the Premier League.
