Lukas Nmecha penalty gets Leeds United up and running on English Premier League return

LONDON – Leeds United manager Daniel Farke hailed an “ice-cold” Lukas Nmecha, as a late penalty from his new signing earned the newly promoted team a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton in their first match back in the English Premier League on Aug 18.

Leeds dominated the first half in front of a raucous Elland Road crowd, but wasted a host of chances to break the deadlock. Everton, on the other hand, did not muster a single shot, on or off target, in the opening period.

The visitors brought on close-season arrival Jack Grealish as they improved after the break, but James Tarkowski’s handball gave the hosts the opportunity to snatch victory six minutes from time.

Nmecha, a free transfer ahead of the new campaign, stepped off the bench to emphatically convert from the spot, ensuring Leeds, back in the top flight after a two-year absence, got their season off to the perfect start.

“On field, it felt like a penalty in the moment, perhaps it was also a bit emotional with the roar of the stadium,” Farke said of the controversial decision.

“Lukas’ first two or three touches were not spot on – I was a bit worried because normally, he’s an outstanding penalty taker.

“I was overthinking if I should tell him today it’s perhaps not the day to take a penalty. Thank God I didn’t step in. He was ice-cold and calm.”

For the past two seasons, the three promoted teams have gone straight back down, but their Aug 18 performance made Leeds look like a team that could buck the trend.

Joel Piroe brought a fine early save out of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, with the Dutch striker then twice going close to an opener in the first half as the away side toiled.

It took until eight minutes into the second half for the visitors to manage a shot at goal, Idrissa Gueye hammering an effort well over the top.

While Everton looked more of a threat after the arrival of £100 million (S$173.5 million) attacker Grealish, who is on loan from Manchester City, they still lacked a cutting edge.

Leeds got the goal their efforts warranted, even if Everton felt aggrieved over the penalty decision – Tarkowski’s left arm was down by his side as it blocked Anton Stach’s effort.

“It’s not a penalty,” Everton manager David Moyes said.

“I’ve been in and spoken to the referee... The ball took a deflection, I don’t know where Tarky would have had to get his arm chopped of to. It wasn’t outside his body, it wasn’t doing anything different.

“We didn’t play well enough on the night, but the big frustration is the referees have actually had a bad opening weekend. I just don’t know what the rules are supposed to be.”

Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville also had their say on the incident, with both agreeing that it was a penalty.

“I think it is (handball). Tarkowski knows what he’s doing and it’s something I would do,” said Carragher.

“The only thing I’m thinking is has he lost his bearings? He is in the middle of the box, but it’s a split-second decision. It takes a late deflection and maybe it’s just reflexes.”

Fellow former defender Neville added: “I think it’s definitely a penalty.

“Tarkowski is the type of defender that feels he needs to get in front of every single shot and what I mean is that maybe he could’ve composed himself, let the ball go through to Pickford, who would’ve saved it.”

Following Sunderland’s win on Aug 16, Leeds’ success means that for just the third time in Premier League history, two promoted sides have won their opening-round fixtures. REUTERS, AFP