Memory match: Leeds United 2-1 Everton

Memory match: Leeds United 2-1 Everton

A look back to September, 2012.

Leeds United face Everton in the Premier League on Tuesday evening. Ben Scott takes a trip down memory lane, looking at a previous clash from September, 2012.


It’s often said that Elland Road under the floodlights is a special place. Nearly 10 years ago Leeds didn’t disappoint, as they saw off Everton in the League Cup despite then being a division below the Merseyside club, managed by David Moyes.

Leeds’ recent cup form was impressive. They’d gained highly credible draws at both North London clubs, Arsenal and Tottenham. Oh, and a win at Manchester United! All while two divisions below these clubs.

Leeds had also beaten Championship side Watford at Elland Road, while themselves a League One club. 

How did form and history fair for the Toffees when visiting Elland Road? Well, Leeds had only ever lost five times from 57 on home soil in all competitions since their first ever clash, way back on 17 September 1924. And on the season so far, Leeds had played six home games already and only suffered one loss.

Onto the match itself and it was a dream start for Leeds. As Everton tried building from the back, Leeds pressed them, Steven Naismith felt the intensity and gave a sloppy pass away. The ball was intended for Fransisco Junior, around six yards deep from the centre circle in Everton's half. Junior was shielded off the ball by the effervescent Rodolph Austin, which created a clear pathway for Aidy White.

White picked up possession and charged forward, leaving a host of Everton’s back line as bystanders, including Marouane Fellaini. White weaved towards the central edge of the penalty area defended by Jan Mucha, the Toffees’ goalkeeper, but Mucha couldn’t do much about the curling shot White unleashed into the top corner. The ‘keeper didn’t even dive as the Leeds celebrations began.

The next threatening attack would be by Leeds again, this time Luciano Becchio warming the gloves of Mucha with a header from close range after the Argentinian connected well with a cross from El Hadji Diouf.

Clearly having received stern words at the break from Moyes, Everton did account for three of the four goal threats in the second half, but none of the three forced Leeds’ goalie Jamie Ashdown into a save.

Sandwiched in between those opportunities, Michael Tonge jinked his way into the Everton box and curled a low shot narrowly wide of the post.

With 20 minutes left, Austin won Leeds a free-kick. Seamus Coleman tripped him on the left of the area as Leeds attacked. The kick was taken by Diouf, with a cut-back short ball for Tonge. He clipped it goal bound and from seven yards out Austin, with a deft flick, made certain Mucha was conceding for the second time that evening.

Despite Sylvain Distin heading in a set-piece header with less than 10 minutes left, the Premier League team couldn’t force the tie beyond 90 minutes as Leeds progressed. Another top-tier side, Southampton, would be the next cup victims at Elland Road as Leeds made it as far as the quarter final.

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