Leeds United and Sunderland both secured wins in their first Premier League games of the season, as Daniel Farke’s side picked up a 1-0 win over Everton on Monday night.
Lukas Nmecha’s penalty in the final 10 minutes proved to be the deciding moment after Chris Kavanagh made the brave call to award Leeds a spot-kick. VAR did not overturn Kavanagh’s on-field decision.
A controversial decision however, with James Tarkowski’s arm in a natural position when he blocked a shot from Anton Stach. Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher say it was the right decision to award a penalty.
There were negatives, too. Daniel Farke says it is too soon to diagnose Ethan Ampadu after he was on the receiving end of a robust challenge from Tim Iroegbunam. Leeds sit in a healthy seventh after the win.
Gary Neville during Leeds game against Salford in 2023-24.
Photo by Pat Scaasi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Gary Neville backs Sunderland to avoid relegation this season
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Gary Neville gave his predictions for the season and even after Leeds beat Everton, the former England right-back said he thinks Leeds will suffer relegation.
He added that Leeds could make some signings, and everything changes. But he says Leeds will go down as things stand, alongside Burnley and Wolves, after losing key duo Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Daniel Farke Leeds United manager.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
“Brentford have been consistent in this league and I don’t want them to go down – I don’t want Leeds to go down. They’d be great in this league. I don’t want anyone to go down. I hate predicting relegation.
“Burnley don’t have enough. When I watched Leeds tonight, I don’t know who they will sign over the next couple of weeks. They could sign two or three, that changes my mind. That’s the unfair situation we’re in.”
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Daniel Farke reaches landmark in managerial career on Monday
It was Farke’s first game in the Premier League as Leeds manager, but actually, Monday saw Farke reach a career landmark. The German was sacked by Norwich in November 2021 after 49 Premier League games.
A full season during 2019-20 in England’s top tier, and then 11 more in 2021-22 before his exit. Norwich decided to sack Farke back then, despite a win over Brentford as his final game in charge of the Canaries.
Season Club Games in charge Wins Draws Losses Points
2019-20 Norwich 38 5 6 27 21
2021-22 Norwich 11 1 2 8 5
2025-26 Leeds 1 1 0 0 3
Farke only won six matches among his 49 in charge of Norwich in the Premier League, but he is one from one with Leeds. A seventh victory in the Premier League, in his 50th outing as a Premier League manager.