Everton player ratings from Chris Beesley after the clash with Leeds United in the Premier League on Monday
ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley has covered Everton and Liverpool both in the Premier League and abroad since 2005. He cut his teeth in professional sports journalism at the Ellesmere Port Pioneer and then the Welsh edition of the Daily Post, where he also covered Manchester United. Prior to that he worked on the student newspaper Pluto at the University of Central Lancashire, a role in which he first encountered David Moyes. Chris is well-known for his sartorial elegance and the aforementioned Scottish manager once enquired of him at a press conference: "Is that your dad's suit you've got on?" while the tradition continued in 2023 with new Blues boss Sean Dyche complimenting him on his smart appearance.
James Tarkowski of Everton reacts after handling the ball in the box, leading to a penalty awarded to Leeds United, during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Everton at Elland Road on August 18, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Everton were beaten 1-0 by Leeds United at Elland Road having found themselves on the wrong end of what appeared to be a debatable penalty call. Having weathered the storm of intensive pressure from their newly promoted hosts in the first half when they were kept on the back foot, the Blues improved after the break, only to suffer a sucker punch late on when captain James Tarkowski was adjudged to have handled the ball and substitute Lucas Nmechia despatched the resultant spot-kick.
The visitors, who were without injured defenders Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko, had earlier introduced on-loan Manchester City player Jack Grealish for his debut with 20 minutes remaining, but there was no way through.
Jordan Pickford 7
Went the right way for Luca Nmecha’s penalty, but couldn’t reach it, having kept Everton in this contest when they were under the cosh, denying Joel Piroe from close range and remained sharp with Leeds on the front foot in the first half particularly.
Jake O’Brien 6
Had his work cut out against the tricky Wilfried Gnonto and his low centre of gravity with the winger almost a foot shorter than him but is stuck to his task with the Italy international making way and as the contest wore on, he got forward more, although his crossing needs to be better.
James Garner 6
Difficult assignment being forced to play out of position and plug a gap at left-back, he looked understandably awkward at times but performed gamely to try and help his team in trying circumstances.
James Tarkowski 6
Missed with a close-range header that could have been an equaliser having been adjudged to have handled the ball for the penalty, an early deflection when cutting out a Gnonto cross presented Piroe with a chance while another interception but the captain can count himself unfortunate having led a determined rearguard action.
Michael Keane 7
A testing environment to start the season but in what is his ninth campaign at Everton, he showed what a valuable defensive option he remains when he has to be called upon.
Idrissa Gueye 6
Fought plenty of fires with Leeds United surging forwards in the first half he was kept on his toes a month shy of his 36th birthday, and had more opportunities to get up the pitch himself after the break, only to fire a shot way over the bar when picked out by Ndiaye.
Tim Iroegbunam 5
Having been picked for the first four Premier League games of last season before struggling to get into the starting line-up, this was a huge opportunity for him but most of his work was out of possession and he got hooked after being booked for catching home captain Ethan Ampadu as well as being guilty of giving away possession cheaply just outside his area when not under pressure.
Charly Alcaraz 5
Had Everton’s first shot on target with a low effort that Lucas Perri turned around the post with 75 minutes on the clock but then slipped at a crucial moment in the move that led to the penalty, there were a few nice touches when cutting inside and he grew into the contest but it’s far from ideal in Everton’s problem position of the right wing where they desperately need specialist options.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 6
Making his Premier League debut for Everton, the signing from Chelsea was on the periphery of the action in the number 10 role in the first half, but showed more of his sharp footwork and drive after the break, spinning smartly to set up Alcaraz for his chance.
Iliman Ndiaye 6
Working hard to try and force an opening, we saw very little of his magic in the first half with Everton mostly on the back foot, although he improved after the break, picking out Gueye for his chance.
Beto 5
Having been given the nod ahead of summer singing Thierno Barry to spearhead the attack, he hardly had a kick on a frustrating night.
Substitutes
Jack Grealish (on 70 for Iroegbunam) 6
A few silky touches but unable to find his way through on his debut.
Thierno Barry (on 86 for Alcaraz)
Premier League debut with a late cameo but couldn’t find an opening.