TOFFEES RAPPED
Raphinha’s belter seals it for Bielsa
RAPHINHA’S first goal for Leeds was just reward for Marcelo Bielsa’s side of Duracell Bunnies who never lose their energy.
Until the Brazilian’s brilliant strike 12 minutes from time it appeared that despite their unrelenting pressure it would be another frustrating night for the Yorkshiremen.
Forget the lack of goals, this was absorbing football without a safety net – compulsive viewing for watching England boss Gareth Southgate.
Bielsa wouldn’t have been so complimentary if Raphinha hadn’t have produced that piece of samba magic. Until he collected a pass from Jack Harrison to steady himself and fire into the corner of the net from 20 yards Leeds had squandered a torrent of chances.
Bielsa said: “He is a player who has adapted quickly to the Premier League. He is a player who is potent all over the pitch.
“We knew we would have to be switched on against Everton from the start and play with great intensity. It was a victory which was very difficult to achieve but I think we played well.”
To be fair to Everton, Carlo Ancelotti’s side also carved out some decent openings in a high-tempo affair which never lost its intensity. Ancelotti said: “We knew it would be an open game. We didn’t play badly but not enough to have earned ourselves anything. We could have been more clinical with our chances.
“With more efficiency we could have won. We are still in a good position in the table.”
It was frustrating at times for Bielsa and Ancelotti but great entertainment value for the rest of us.
How there was only one goal will remain a mystery although Jordan Pickford can claim some responsibility with a couple of stunning saves.
The last time Leeds were on Merseyside it was the opening day of the season – a 4- 3 defeat across Stanley Park at Liverpool.
Leeds were told in the aftermath that they would have to dampen down the i r attacking philosophy. Luckily they haven’t listened.
It doesn’ t matter whether Leeds are at home or on opposition soil they have just one thing on their mind – to attack at every given opportunity.
Brazilian flyer Raphinha, a £17million capture from Rennes, had set the ball rolling, his electric pace creating danger on both flanks and one lightning break offered a gilt-edged chance for Harrison only for the on-loan Manch e s t e r City man to slice wide.
The chances came and went, Bamford enabling Pickford to save with his legs when the goal was gaping, enough to send Bielsa apoplectic, the Argentinian leaping into the air and waving his arms.
Pickford, who has come in for some criticism for his
He is a player who has adapted quickly to the Premier League. He is a player who is potent all over the pitch
club performances this season came to Everton’s rescue with an outstanding leap to claw out a goalbound header from the busy Raphinha whi le Ben
G o d f r e y ’s outstretched leg denied Harrison’s follow-up on the line. It wasn’t Harrison’s night in front of goal, the forward sending a header crashing against the post in a frenzied first-half which Everton also contributed to with their fair share of action in the Leeds area.
Toffees’ James Rodriguez and Richarl i son, attempting to stem the Yorkshire tide, had efforts ruled out correctly by VAR, although on both occasions they were tight affairs. First Rodriguez managed to squeeze the ball in from an acute angle following a ball in from Richarlison only to have wandered offside.
Then a header from Richarlison met the same fate from Stockley Park with Godfrey interfering illegally right in front of keeper Illan Meslier.
Allan’s mazy run ended with a shot which was deflected just past the post and Richarlison should have done better from close range.
But Leeds could have added to the Raphinha goal, Pickford again doing brilliantly to foil substitute Helder Costa from close range.