If there was one negative from Leeds United’s 1-0 win over Everton on Monday night, it was a potential injury sustained by Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu in the second half.
A controversial penalty was the deciding factor on Monday night as Leeds returned to the Premier League with a win. In what was Daniel Farke’s 50th Premier League match as manager, he won his seventh game.
A handball from Everton defender James Tarkowski saw substitute Lukas Nmecha step up and score past Jordan Pickford. A brilliant penalty, especially as England no.1 Pickford went the right way to make a save.
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both feel it was a penalty, though there has been plenty of talk about it. David Moyes suggested that Tarkowski would need to cut his arm off, to avoid a penalty being awarded.
Ethan Ampadu during Leeds' win over Everton.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Daniel Farke replies when asked about Ethan Ampadu knock
The Leeds skipper endured his fair share of time on the sidelines last season through injury, and on 56 minutes, Ampadu was on the receiving end of a late tackle from Tim Iroegbunam. A yellow card sufficed.
Daniel Farke after Leeds win over Everton.
Photo by Pat Scaasi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
But replays showed the former Aston Villa man catch Ampadu with his studs. Ampadu was writhing in pain on the ground before picking himself up to play another 22 minutes, before Farke took him off.
Asked by TalkSPORT’s Sam Matterface on Ampadu, gaffer Farke said: “[He’s] alright. We’ll have to assess him, right now it is a big bruise. It’s not ideal, we hope it’s not a big injury. Hopefully it’s not a big injury.”
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Ethan Ampadu was excellent up until his 56th-minute knock
Coming back into the Premier League, Ampadu had only played 26 times in the Premier League. Yet, the midfielder looked assured. Jamie Carragher believes captain Ampadu was the best player on the pitch.
Ethan Ampadu’s stats as Leeds beat Everton:
78 minutes played, 7.0 FotMob rating
Four defensive contributions, two recoveries, one interception
72 touches, 50 successful passes, 12 misplaced (81%)
Six duels won, two lost
With tough games against Arsenal at The Emirates and then Newcastle at Elland Road coming up, Leeds will need their enforcers. They need players to make the games ugly and Ampadu is crucial to that.
Hopefully, it is just an impact injury as Farke suggests and there is no ligament damage for Ampadu. Leeds fans will find out more in regards to Ampadu’s fitness come Farke’s pre-Arsenal presser this week.