Goodison Park opened its doors for Everton’s Premier League match against Leeds United as we give you today’s player ratings.
The Premier League returned today with Leeds United visiting Goodison Park to face Everton for the tenth fixture of the tournament. The start of the game gave us a heartfelt moment in which a minute of silence was shared in memory of Diego Maradona. Marcelo Bielsa and most of the people honoring the late legend decided to applaud.
However, it was evident Carlo Ancelotti was deeply affected by Maradona’s passing. During his years as a footballer, Carlo’s beginnings at AC Milan happened during Maradona’s prime. The Everton manager played many exciting Serie A matches against the former Napoli star and developed a great friendship with him.
As everybody else applauded, ‘Carletto’ could barely keep it together. We had an exciting match ahead of us at Goodison Park that didn’t disappoint after the break. However, the first half was filled with mistakes from both sides that prevented them from scoring any goals.
Raphinha seals the win for Leeds.
The second half gave us the only goal of the evening through Raphinha, who slotted a long-range shot in the back of the net. A one-goal advantage is everything Marcelo Bielsa needs in order to protect the result against one of Ancelotti’s teams.
The Argentine manager reached a level of understanding of the game that could very well lead him far in his career. Leeds hadn’t won at Goodison Park in 30 years and Bielsa made it happen. Everton is not the same squad from the start of the season as they seem to have lost the best version of James Rodriguez.
The Colombian playmaker was on the pitch tonight but he completely disappeared against Bielsa’s tactics. A victory that leaves Bielsa’s boys near the middle of the table only two points behind the Toffees.
Player ratings
Everton: Pickford (6), Godfrey (7), Keane (5), Holgate (6), Allan (6), James (6), Doucoure(5), Iwobi (5), Davies (6), Calvert-Lewin (5), Richarlison (5).
Bench: Delph (6), Gomes (5), Bernard (5).
Leeds United: Meslier (7), Cooper (7), Ayling (8), Dallas (7), Koch (7), Klich (7), Phillips (7), Harrison (7), Alioski (8), Bamford (7), Raphinha (8).
Bench: Poveda-Ocampo (7), Costa (6), Rodrigo (6).
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