MX23RW : Friday, November 8 01:18:33| >> :120:34923:34923:
[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:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Bengals
@
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland149322391430
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd149321871128
3Leeds UnitedLeeds147522291326
4Burnley146621761124
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom14572148622
6Millwall146441712522
7Watford147162222022
8Middlesbrough146351816221
9Swansea CitySwansea14545119219
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn145451616019
11Bristol City144731819-119
12Norwich CityNorwich144642320318
13Derby CountyDerby145361818018
14Stoke CityStoke145361718-118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds145361724-718
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd144551717017
17Coventry CityCoventry144371819-115
18Hull City143651518-315
19Luton TownLuton144371621-515
20Preston North EndPreston143651420-615
21Cardiff CityCardiff144371320-715
22Plymouth ArgylePlymouth144371425-1115
23Queens Park RangersQPR141761223-1110
24Portsmouth141671327-149


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!