Daniel Farke not happy and Joey Barton looking surprised
(Credit: Imago)
Henry Green
Tue 19 August 2025 7:10, UK
Leeds ran out 1-0 winners in their 2025/26 Premier League opener against Everton on Monday.
Daniel Farke’s side held their own against the Toffees and were the better side for much of the game, with penalty controversy making the headlines at Elland Road.
Everton defender James Tarkowski was judged to have handballed new signing Anton Stach’s long-range deflected effort late on, despite heavy complaints.
Lukas Nmecha converted after coming off the bench, and some people have been left unhappy about Leeds being awarded the penalty.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke waving at fans
Farke will be happy that Leeds managed to hold their own vs Everton (Credit: Imago)
Joey Barton fumes at penalty awarded to Leeds
The Peacocks had just three new signings in their starting eleven against the Toffees: Lucas Perri, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Stach.
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Jack Harrison returned to the bench after controversy with supporters over the summer, but it was debutant Nmecha who made the difference from the penalty spot after coming off the bench.
Joey Barton, speaking on his YouTube live stream of the game, was in disagreement with the decision: “I don’t think that’s a penalty, I’m not sure what he’s supposed to do with his arms.
“He could’ve maybe got out the way a bit and not leaned into it, but it’s a shot on goal and you can’t take your arms off the side of your body; he hasn’t got his arms out.”
Leeds had 21 shots compared to Everton’s seven
The Whites had an expected goals of 2.07 compared to the visitors’ 0.55
Farke’s side played 481 passes compared to the visitors, who played 411
Whether it was a penalty or not, Leeds were deserved victors against Everton.
Farke’s side ran the visitors ragged at times and, apart from a slight dip in the second half, never looked like conceding against a Premier League regular.
The Whites have set a solid marker for themselves, and going off the evidence shown at Elland Road, the Peacocks will stay up in the top-flight if they perform like that every week.
Referee got Leeds penalty decision correct
Leeds deserved the penalty against Everton.
Tarkowski was clearly leaning in towards the ball on purpose and used his arm to block a goal-bound shot, even pointing to his arm after the incident.
For anyone who questions what he should have done with his arm, he could’ve put it behind his back or simply not moved towards the ball.
The Peacocks haven’t gotten lucky with the decision, as they will face many decisions that go for and against them this season.
Leeds will not get carried away, though. This is just the start of a long, hard season.
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