Positive Benitez gets to grips with fiery Leeds

Rafael Benitez’s first away Premier League test as Everton manager was a challenge against Marcelo Bielsa’s energetic Leeds – and the Spaniard mixed pragmatism with positivity to earn a point.

Leeds had 70 per cent of possession, but both teams had 17 shots apiece. Everton, though, had twice the number of shots on target: eight.

Benitez and Bielsa shared a long embrace after full time, their mutual respect clear. Their methods may differ, but both had players willing to work hard for them. The former Liverpool manager will not have much time to win over the sceptics – so it was intriguing to see how he dealt with Bielsa’s 3-3-1-3 in front of a baying Elland Road crowd that made it hard to get his instructions across.

Everton had initial difficulties creating anything clear-cut, but they gradually started to look slick on the break.

Early promise: Demarai Gray scored Everton’s second goal

Twice they went in front, but twice they were pegged back; the first from a Michael Keane error and the second after a consistent problem – the inability to contain Raphinha.

Dominic Calvertlewin was denied twice by Illan Meslier at 2-1. The fact Calvert-lewin kept being fed by the likes of Demarai Gray and Alex Iwobi showed Everton’s attack was again built around him.

Calvert-lewin won a penalty, that he scored. Gray, Everton’s other scorer, made a contribution that was also credit in the bank for bargainhunting Benitez.

Gray’s movement reflected the way Everton played; with flexibility. Benitez appears to have recruited a significant wide threat for an outlay of just £1.7 million.

After this clash of two obsessive students of management, Benitez did not receive full marks, but still chalked up a commendable outcome.