Premier League

Everton 3 (Coleman 10’, Keane 23’, Richarlison 78’)

Leeds United 0

Everton: Pickford (GK), Kenny, Holgate, Keane, Allan, Richarlison (Rondon 86’), Calvert-Lewin (Alli 72’), Iwobi, Coleman (C), Gordon (El Ghazi 81’), van de Beek. Subs not used: Begovic (GK), Patterson, Townsend, Tosun, Gomes, Branthwaite. 

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling (C), Koch, Raphinha (Roberts 45’), Llorente, Dallas (Hjelde 8’), Rodrigo, James, Struijk, Harrison, Klich (Forshaw 45’). Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Bate, Gelhardt, Summerville, Shackleton, Kenneh.

Venue: Goodison Park

Attendance: 39,150

Referee: Graham Scott

Booked: Iwobi (Everton) James (Leeds)

Everton secured the three points at home to Leeds United in this Premier League fixture after goals from Seamus Coleman and Michael Keane in the first half were followed up by a strike from Richarlison in the second. 

The home side were on the front foot from kick-off at Goodison Park and they were causing early problems. Luke Ayling had to be alert when Anthony Gordon found space in the box, with the United captain putting in a solid early challenge to deny him a clear chance on goal.

Moments later, Leeds were forced to make the first substitution of the match. Stuart Dallas had picked up an early knock and despite his best efforts to continue, he was eventually replaced by Leo Hjelde at full-back. 

Everton did make their early spell of pressure count. A neat move on the edge of the box resulted in Donny van de Beek finding space to play the ball across the box for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker saw his effort deflected into the air, where the onrushing Coleman was there to head home on the line to put Everton a goal ahead.

Looking to respond, Mason Holgate was needed when Dan James got into the area, and the defender put in an equally as impressive challenge as Ayling had done earlier on. From the next attack, Rodrigo saw his dipping volley cannon back off the crossbar in what was an excellent effort from the Spaniard. 

Frank Lampard’s side responded well to that pressure from Leeds though and doubled their advantage inside 25 minutes. A deep corner whipped in by Gordon found Keane at the back post and the defender powered a header into the back of the net, to make it two. 

Gordon then went close again, as did Alex Iwobi as the hosts looked to further extend their lead. In response, Rodrigo’s 25-yard curling effort was within inches of finding the top corner as he struck the bar again. That was the last big chance of the opening period and Everton went in with a two-goal lead. 

HALF TIME: Everton 2-0 Leeds United

The Whites came out for the second half having made two changes during the break. Adam Forshaw and Tyler Roberts entered the game in place of Raphinha and Mateusz Klich. 

The first save of the half came from Illan Meslier, as he denied Gordon’s strike at goal. Rodrigo once again tried his luck from range when Leeds went back on the attack but this time it was off target. 

The second half on Merseyside had been relatively uneventful and with Leeds having used all their three permitted changes earlier in the game, Everton brought on January recruit Dele Alli in place of Calvert-Lewin.  

With just over 10 minutes remaining, the Blues extended their lead and all but secured the three points. Richarlison picked the ball up 25-yards out and smashed in left-footed, finding the bottom corner to get the third for his side. 

Into stoppage time and Meslier was called on again. Introduced into the game moments earlier in place of goal-scorer Richarlison, Salomon Rondon found space in the box to fire at goal, with the ‘keeper producing an excellent stop with his fingertips. 

That was it for the action at Goodison Park. Everton had run out comfortable winners and in doing so, moved just the one point behind Leeds United in the Premier League table. 

FULL TIME: Everton 3-0 Leeds United