MX23RW : Sunday, February 2 14:38:15| >> :120:6751:6751:
[monks data]
Everton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 10
Nov 28, 2020 at 5.30pm UK
Goodison Park
Leeds logo

Everton
0 - 1
Leeds


Allan (90+2')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Raphinha (79')
Ayling (26'), Cooper (90')

Luke Ayling: 'We are finding our feet in top flight'

Luke Ayling: 'We are finding our feet in top flight'
© Reuters
The player said his side 'starting to play more football and not just try to be hard to beat'.

Defender Luke Ayling believes Leeds are finally starting to find their feet in the Premier League.

The 1-0 victory at Everton, the early pace-setters in September and October, was only their fourth of the campaign but having taken points off Carlo Ancelotti’s side, Manchester City, Arsenal and run defending champions Liverpool close there are positive feelings at Elland Road following the side’s promotion.

“We’ve been working with (Marcelo Bielsa) for the last two years. It’s the third year of his reign now,” said Ayling.

“Our first eight games was always going to be a learning curve. I think we’ve learnt a lot from those eight games.

“I think we have a reputation of being a fit team but I thought our football was excellent.

“I think we’re starting to play more football and not just try to be hard to beat. So far, so good.”

Ayling added to BBC Sport: “I know quite a lot of people say it, but it is a dream for us to be playing at this level. We were in League One and in the Championship for many years, so to be in the Premier League is what we dreamt of as kids.

“I hope we can keep playing good football and keep this going.”

Bielsa’s side have earned a reputation for creating plenty of chances and this game was no exception, contributing 23 shots to the overall tally of 38 over the 90 minutes.

In the Premier League this season, only Leeds’ win at Aston Villa in October has produced more attempts (39).

One criticism is that the side have not been clinical enough and it took them until the 80th minute to eventually break the deadlock thanks to new signing Raphinha’s first goal for the club.

With man-of-the-match Kalvin Phillips pulling the strings due to their hosts’ reluctance to close him down, the Brazilian forward was a constant threat and his 25-yard strike was the fourth Everton have conceded from outside the penalty area, the most in the Premier League this season.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had one of his better games against Leeds
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had one of his better games against Leeds (Jon Super/PA)

Manager Carlo Ancelotti could not apportion any blame to Jordan Pickford, watched by his England boss Gareth Southgate, as the goalkeeper had one of his better matches this season with good saves from Patrick Bamford and Raphinha in the first half in particular.

“It was a strange shot because Ben Godfrey was close to the ball, Jordan didn’t see the ball because it was close to the body of Godfrey and it was difficult to save,” said the Italian after a fourth defeat in five matches.

“It was true Jordan did a fantastic save in two or three opportunities.”

ID:424315: cacheID:424315:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7444:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds30189360194163
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd30196541212061
3Burnley30151323692758
4Sunderland291510442241855
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn30136113429545
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom301014639271244
7Middlesbrough29128947361144
8Norwich CityNorwich30119104942742
9Bristol City30101283835342
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds30119104346-342
11Coventry CityCoventry30118114138341
12Watford30125134042-241
13Millwall301010103027340
14Queens Park RangersQPR30911103339-638
15Preston North EndPreston3081393338-537
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd30910113444-1037
17Swansea CitySwansea3097143242-1034
18Stoke CityStoke30711122837-932
19Cardiff CityCardiff30710133351-1831
20Portsmouth3079143652-1630
21Hull City3078153140-929
22Derby CountyDerby3076173241-927
23Luton TownLuton3076173049-1927
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth30510152963-3425


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!