Everton
Leeds
Everton vs Leeds Match Commentary
Everton vs Leeds Match Overview: 1-1 Premier League
Goodison Park lived through the full spectrum on 27 January 2026 as Everton vs Leeds finished level, a 1-1 draw that felt like two different games stitched together. Leeds struck first through James Justin, punishing a moment of space in the box, before Everton roared back after the break when Thierno Barry lashed home a superb equaliser following sharp work from Idrissa Gueye. The Everton vs Leeds Result keeps both sides with plenty to chew over: Leeds created the clearer openings, but Everton’s response carried real force, and the Everton vs Leeds Score never quite settled the argument either way.
- James Justin put Leeds ahead with a composed finish after Anton Stach’s incisive pass opened Everton up.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin hit the post when clean through, a huge moment that could have made it 0-2.
- David Moyes reshaped Everton at half-time, and the hosts immediately played with more bite and speed.
- Thierno Barry levelled with a brilliant strike into the top corner after Gueye’s involvement in the move.
- Gueye then rattled the crossbar from distance as Everton chased a late winner.
- Leeds finished with three bookings and a tense final push, including a late corner that came to nothing.
First Half
Everton began with early intent, forcing a first-minute corner and trying to spring Iliman Ndiaye into the spaces between Leeds’ three centre-backs and wing-backs. Leeds, though, quickly found their rhythm in transition. Pascal Struijk and Ilia Gruev tested the range, while Brenden Aaronson’s sharp movement started to pull Everton’s midfield line out of shape.
The breakthrough arrived on 28 minutes and it was clinical. Anton Stach threaded a precise pass into the area, and James Justin met it in stride, guiding a neat finish into the right side of Jordan Pickford’s net. The goal tilted the mood inside Goodison: Everton had the ball, Leeds had the punch.
Leeds should have doubled the advantage when Dominic Calvert-Lewin broke clear, rounded Pickford and then somehow struck the post. It was a let-off that kept Everton alive, and James Garner’s late first-half effort—dragged wide from inside the box—hinted the hosts still had a route back if they could sharpen their final action.
Second Half
David Moyes didn’t wait for the game to drift. Everton emerged with changes and a different tempo, moving the ball quicker and asking more direct questions of Leeds’ back line. The pattern flipped: Leeds still carried threat on the break, but Everton’s pressure began to feel sustained rather than sporadic.
There were chances at both ends. Pickford stood tall to deny Stach with a strong two-handed save, while at the other end Thierno Barry spurned a close-range opening that demanded a goal. The tension kept building, the tackles got heavier, and Leeds flirted with trouble as challenges began to rack up.
Then came the moment that lit the stadium. On 76 minutes, Idrissa Gueye drove the move forward and squared for Barry, who made no mistake this time—an outstanding finish into the top of the net beyond Karl Darlow to seal the Everton vs Leeds Goals tally at one apiece. Everton surged again almost immediately, Gueye crashing a fierce strike against the crossbar as Goodison sensed a winner.
Leeds responded with late changes and a final push, Sean Longstaff and Facundo Buonanotte adding fresh legs and shots from the edge of the box. But Everton’s shape held, and despite a last-gasp corner, the whistle confirmed the Everton vs Leeds Score: 1-1.
Everton vs Leeds Highlights
The Everton vs Leeds Highlights were defined by two high-quality finishes and two pieces of woodwork that could have swung the night. Justin’s opener gave Leeds the platform, Calvert-Lewin’s post kept Everton breathing, and Barry’s equaliser—set in motion by Gueye’s influence—turned the final quarter into a scrap for control.
Everton vs Leeds Stats Breakdown
The Everton vs Leeds Stats underline why this draw felt slightly different depending on where you were sitting. Everton dominated possession (58% to 42%) and won more duels (73 to 63), but Leeds generated the bigger threat in chance quality and volume.
In the xG analysis, Everton posted 0.69 to Leeds’ 1.37, with Leeds also recording more total shots (14 to 10) and more attempts inside the box (10 to 6). Everton’s best moments came in bursts—Barry’s finish and Gueye’s crossbar strike—while Leeds’ attacking structure created repeated entries into dangerous zones. The discipline story leaned away from the visitors too, as Leeds collected three yellow cards compared to none for Everton.
Overall, the Everton vs Leeds Analysis points to a match where Leeds’ chances merited more, but Everton’s second-half surge and emotional response at Goodison made the point feel earned. It was a Premier League match report that showcased two sides with distinct identities: Everton’s resilience and Leeds’ ability to carve openings.
Everton vs Leeds Lineups
Everton XI (4-2-3-1): Jordan Pickford; Nathan Patterson, James Tarkowski, Jake O’Brien, Vitali Mykolenko; Idrissa Gueye, James Garner; Iliman Ndiaye, Harrison Armstrong, Dwight McNeil; Thierno Barry.
Everton substitutes used: Jarrad Branthwaite, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tyler Dibling, Beto.
Leeds XI (3-5-2): Karl Darlow; Sebastiaan Bornauw, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk; Jayden Bogle, Anton Stach, Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, James Justin; Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson.
Leeds substitutes used: Ao Tanaka, Sean Longstaff, Noah Okafor, Facundo Buonanotte.
Player of the Match
Idrissa Gueye (Everton). He set the emotional tone of Everton’s comeback, played a key role in the equaliser, and came within inches of stealing the Everton match today outright with a thunderous effort off the bar. In a game that demanded midfield authority, Gueye provided it when Everton needed it most.
What the Result Means
This Everton vs Leeds Match Report leaves both camps with mixed feelings. Everton will point to character, the half-time adjustments, and the way they wrestled momentum back at Goodison. Leeds, meanwhile, will look at the missed chances—especially the post—and the stronger underlying numbers as evidence they could have taken more from the Leeds match today.
The full-time analysis is simple: Everton found their edge late, Leeds carried the sharper blade for longer, and the draw reflects a contest where neither side managed to land the decisive second blow.
The referee blows his whistle for the final time to end this match.
90+4'
The referee and one of his assistants signal for a corner kick to Leeds.
90+4'
Facundo Buonanotte (Leeds) takes a shot from the edge of the box, but it's not a big threat for the goalkeeper as his effort is blocked by a defender. Now Leeds have a corner.
90+3'
Sean Longstaff (Leeds) sends over a poor, overhit cross from the corner kick and the ball goes out of play.
90+2'
Beto (Everton) makes a rough challenge and Simon Hooper blows his whistle for a foul.
90'
4 min. of stoppage-time to be played.
90'
Facundo Buonanotte (Leeds) is literally asking for a yellow card with his behaviour. The referee agrees and books him.
89'
Substitution. Beto (Everton) on for Thierno Barry.
89'
Tyler Dibling (Everton) releases a low pass from just outside the box in an attempt to find his teammate, but one of the defenders calmly averts the threat.
88'
Sean Longstaff (Leeds) hits a good looking first-time shot from the edge of the box, but it goes narrowly over the bar.
88'
Idrissa Gueye (Everton) tries to play a through ball from just inside the box to Iliman Ndiaye, but one of the defending players is alert to the danger and makes a timely interception.
85'
Substitution. Sebastiaan Bornauw will be replaced by Facundo Buonanotte (Leeds).
85'
Here is a change. Brenden Aaronson is going off and Daniel Farke gives the last tactical orders to Noah Okafor (Leeds).
85'
Substitution. Sean Longstaff (Leeds) in, Anton Stach out.
81'
Simon Hooper interrupts the game for a tactical foul by Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds).
78'
Idrissa Gueye (Everton) blows a good opportunity to score. Without hesitation he fires in a shot from mid range, but the ball crashes against the crossbar!
76'
1 - 1
GOAL! Superb work from Idrissa Gueye, who plays a vital role in the build-up. He squares it to Thierno Barry (Everton), who beats Karl Darlow with a brilliant shot into the top of the net. 1:1.
74'
Nothing comes of the resulting corner from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Everton). The defence is alert and manages to cut it out.
74'
Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) decides to strike the ball towards goal, but his effort fails to threaten the goalkeeper after being blocked by one of the defenders. The ball goes out of play and Everton have been awarded a corner kick.
74'
Vitali Mykolenko (Everton) crosses into the box from near the side line, but he doesn't connect as he wanted and it's cleared by the well-organized defence.
73'
Tyler Dibling (Everton) races towards goal but the defender gets back well to make a challenge.
71'
David Moyes prepares a substitution. Nathan Patterson is replaced by Tyler Dibling (Everton).
68'
7:11 – the total goal attempt statistics.
66'
The referee signals that it is time for a substitution and Ao Tanaka (Leeds) is coming onto the pitch as Ilia Gruev cannot continue after picking up an injury.
63'
Thierno Barry (Everton) blows a big chance from close range. World class save by the goalkeeper.
61'
Anton Stach (Leeds) finds himself in space on the edge of the box and smashes a glorious looking effort towards the bottom right corner, but Jordan Pickford thwarts him with a great two-handed save.
59'
Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) fires the ball towards the left side of the goal from close-range, but his shot is blocked by one of the defenders.
57'
Nathan Patterson (Everton) is caught offside!
56'
This yellow card was deserved. The tackle by Ilia Gruev (Leeds) was quite harsh and Simon Hooper didn't hesitate to show him a yellow card.
54'
Anton Stach (Leeds) is very lucky to stay on the pitch after using excessive force to bring down his opponent with a two-footed challenge.
52'
Simon Hooper has a clear sight and sees a foul from Thierno Barry (Everton).
48'
A fine lofted pass into the box, sent by James Garner (Everton), is intercepted by the opposition's defence.
46'
David Moyes decides to make a substitution. Dwight McNeil will be replaced by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Everton).
46'
The substitution has been made. Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton) has replaced Harrison Armstrong.
46'
The second half has just started.
45+3'
Simon Hooper has ended the first half by blowing the whistle.
45'
The fourth official shows 2 min. of added time.
45'
James Garner (Everton) takes the chance to have an effort at goal from inside the box but misses to the left of the target.
40'
James Garner (Everton) sends a long ball in, but Karl Darlow comfortably gathers the ball.
39'
James Garner (Everton) sends a wonderful cross from the corner kick. However, the defence works perfectly to clear the ball and avert the threat.
38'
A snap shot by Brenden Aaronson (Leeds) from the edge of the area flies towards the bottom left corner, but Jordan Pickford produces a good save to thwart him.
37'
Fouls committed – 4:5.
34'
A great pass puts Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds) clear inside the box, he sidesteps the keeper but inexplicably hits his shot against the right post.
34'
Anton Stach (Leeds) goes over to take the corner kick and it looks like he will send the ball into the penalty box.
33'
Brenden Aaronson (Leeds) slaloms his way past challenges, but an opposing player does well to get the ball away. The ball goes out for a corner. Leeds can continue in their attacking effort.
32'
Jayden Bogle (Leeds) delivers a lovely cross into the penalty area. Nevertheless, an opposition defender is alert and averts the danger with a brilliant clearance.
28'
0 - 1
James Justin (Leeds) receives a precise pass inside the box from Anton Stach and he beats the goalkeeper with a neat finish into the right side of the net. 0:1.
28'
Nathan Patterson (Everton) commits a rough challenge and Simon Hooper blows his whistle for a foul.
23'
Ethan Ampadu (Leeds) thinks that he is fouled by his opponent, but the referee deems him to be the one who commits a foul and awards a free kick to the other team.
23'
Vitali Mykolenko (Everton) fouls an opponent. At least that's what referee Simon Hooper signals.
19'
James Justin (Leeds) fires the ball towards goal from outside the penalty area, but it is blocked by one of his teammates.
15'
Ilia Gruev (Leeds) releases a superb dipping volley at goal from the edge of the box that flies just over the bar.
15'
A good clearance by a defender means the corner comes to nothing for Leeds.
15'
Jayden Bogle (Leeds) attempts to find some of his teammates with a dangerous pass from the edge of the box. The opponent's defence, however, intercepts the effort and clears the ball to safety. Leeds will have a chance to score from a corner kick.
13'
The game is interrupted now, Thierno Barry (Everton) picks up a knock and the physio has to come on.
12'
The ball flies way wide of the left post as James Justin (Leeds) produces an imprecise volley strike from long distance.
11'
Thierno Barry almost found himself in a promising position after Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) tried to send a defence-splitting pass, but one of the defenders reacts well and makes a timely interception.
7'
Pascal Struijk (Leeds) got the ball on the edge of the box and fired in a first-time shot on goal, but his effort floated well over the bar. High, wide and not at all handsome. The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for Everton.
4'
The corner from James Garner (Everton) is intercepted by the defence.
3'
Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) goes on a solo run, but he fails to create a chance as an opposition player blocks him.
1'
The ball is out of play and the linesman points at the corner flag. Corner to Everton.
1'
The referee blows his whistle and we are underway.
The players are out and the match is about to start. Everton will have the kick-off.
Simon Hooper will referee today's match.
Show lineups
You can have a look at the starting XIs of both teams in the details of this match.
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