Blues Undone By Controversial Late Penalty

A hugely-controversial late penalty denied Everton a battling point as they fell to a 1-0 defeat in their season opener at Leeds United.

The Blues were well below par in the opening half but improved after the break in a scrappy affair.

Just as they were starting to turn the screw, however, James Tarkowski was adjudged to have handled Anton Stach’s shot, despite the defender clearly having his arm low down and by his side.

Referee Chris Kavanagh and – after a VAR check – John Brooks somehow disagreed, allowing Lucas Nmecha to net the winner from the spot.

It was so harsh on Everton – without a host of defenders – in a match that saw Jack Grealish come off the bench to make his debut for the Club.

Dewsbury-Hall was handed his competitive Everton debut in an advanced midfield role, while fellow August arrival Grealish started on a bench that also featured Club captain Seamus Coleman.

With Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitalii Mykolenko, Nathan Patterson and summer signing Adam Aznou all injured, James Garner filled in at left-back and Jake O’Brien started on the other side of a back four that also featured Michael Keane and captain James Tarkowski.

Beto led the Blues’ attack, flanked by Charly Alcaraz and Iliman Ndiaye, with Tim Iroegbunam getting the nod to partner Idrissa Gana Gueye as the defensive midfielders.

Elland Road was a cauldron of noise for Leeds’ Premier League return and the hosts had a first sight at goal on five minutes when Wilfried Gnonto’s low pass took an unlucky deflection off Tarkowski to fall into the path of Joel Piroe, whose close-range finish was well blocked by the onrushing Jordan Pickford.

The Blues were struggling to keep the ball in the early stages and a loose pass enabled Piroe another sight at goal – this time from the edge of the area – Keane deflecting the striker’s low drive out for a corner.

It was panic stations in the Blues’ box on 15 minutes, Ao Tanaka collecting a cleared corner and heading across the six-yard area where Keane was on hand to boot away the danger with a white shirt looking to apply the finish.

Everton had been second best but finally got a sniff at goal on the half-hour mark when Gana was able to carry the ball to the right edge of the area and cut back for Alcaraz. His pass was a tad too heavy, however, as the Argentine chested the ball down and keeper Lucas Perri gathered.

When the half-time whistle was blown, the Blues were relieved to go in goalless after a disappointing opening to their campaign when they were way off the standard they had set under Moyes in the second part of 2024/25.

There was better play early into the second half, Dewsbury-Hall collecting possession on halfway and moving into yards of green space in front of him. The former Chelsea man opted to cut down the left channel for Beto but the angle was too wide for the striker to have a pop on goal.

And there was another half-chance not too long after, Ndiaye moving the ball between his feet on the left edge of the area and squaring for his compatriot Gana to blast an effort over the bar.

Everton were much improved as the hour mark passed, Ndiaye showing off his silky dribbling skills to lead a greater attacking threat. And a further boost arrived with 20 minutes to go as Grealish stepped onto the pitch in a royal blue shirt for the first time, much to the delight of the travelling Toffees.

The Blues knocked on the door again when Dewsbury-Hall did well to collect his cleared free-kick, jink his way down the right touchline and square to Alcaraz, whose squeezed shot was turned behind at the near post by Perri. From the resulting corner, Dewsbury-Hall’s peach of a delivery was flicked over by O’Brien when well placed from eight yards out.

Leeds responded two minutes later as Everton dallied trying to clear from the edge of their area and Tanaka cracked a half-volley over the bar.

A huge moment of controversy – and the deciding point of the match – came with seven minutes to go when Anton Stach struck a shot that hit the arm of Tarkowski. The captain clearly had his arm low and not outstretched but referee Kavanagh gave the spot-kick. VAR took a look but despite the wait for what seemed like a simple overturn, VAR official John Brooks agreed with the official and substitute Lucas Nmecha put his penalty into the bottom right-hand corner.

There was still time for the Blues to go up the other end and threaten with a string of crosses, Tarkowski going closest with a header that hit the roof of the net. Seven minutes of added time were signalled but Moyes' men couldn't find a response as they look to bounce back on Sunday for the historic first competitive match at their world-class new home, Hill Dickinson Stadium.