A look at some of the moments away from the headlines after Everton's defeat to Leeds United
Former Everton player Jack Harrison celebrates the match-winning goal against the Blues with scorer Lukas Nmecha. Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Former Everton player Jack Harrison celebrates the match-winning goal against the Blues with scorer Lukas Nmecha. Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Everton’s season began with a frustrating defeat at Leeds United - one that served as clear evidence of the need for new signings. A lot of money has already been spent on the David Moyes revival project but, such was the state of the squad at the start of the summer, more work is required. That much was clear at Elland Road.
Here, the ECHO looks at some of the moments behind-the-scenes from a curtain-raiser Everton will hope can be put down to a bad day at the office.
Harrison shows his love for the Blues in the face of boos
Leeds supporters have booed Jack Harrison through pre-season following his return to the club after two campaigns on loan at Everton.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke seems intent on re-integrating the attacking midfielder, however, perhaps prizing his Premier League experience as his side look to consolidate their top flight status - something no promoted side has achieved over the past two seasons.
At the season opener, the annoyance directed at Harrison appeared to have cooled - his name was greeted with a mixture of applause and jeers when the team news was read to Elland Road.
But Harrison sparked a new wave of anger during the first half as Leeds’ bench followed Everton’s out to warm-up by one of the corner flags. Harrison did not merely acknowledge his former teammates, he embraced each one, starting with Tyler Onyango, before spending much of the following five minutes deep in conversation with Dwight McNeil.
He did, however, wheel away in celebration when Lukas Nmecha slotted the match-winning penalty past Jordan Pickford.
Everton wanted to get this started, at least before the game
This was the type of nervy, lacklustre performance best reserved for pre-season but, while it was tough to see why once the game kicked off, Everton were keen to get onto the pitch and get the game underway.
Both sides spent an age in the tunnel before being led onto the pitch - sparking Blues captain James Tarkowski to start visibly questioning what was going on.
Pickford attempts to rally troops but calls fall on deaf ears
The centre back became the subject of his own inquiry early in the second half. Everton had been aiming to get a foothold in the match after the break but were instead placed under more heavy pressure as the game resumed.
This was showcased by Wilfried Gnonto harrying Tarkowski as he tried to shepherd the ball back towards Pickford in an unconvincing fashion.
The England number one responded by yelling at his teammate and those around him, desperately trying to encourage a restoration of composure that never came.
Zero goal threat
Everton did at least start to show a little more ambition following that. It was not hard - the Blues mustered an xG (expected goals) tally of precisely zero in the first 45 minutes. That was in part due to the makeshift nature of an injury-hit but small squad but also because of how Leeds were able to control the game.
It took 54 minutes before Idrissa Gueye had the first effort on goal - though that was high and wide from distance.
Grealish jeers as uninspiring as the attack he needs to improve
Moyes has not been shy in speaking of the need for attacking reinforcements over the summer. The hope is those already signed will prove key to turning the fortunes around once they bed in. Central to that will be Jack Grealish, who entered the fray after 70 minutes.
He was calm on the ball, started to probe at the Leeds defence and displayed a lovely piece of skill with a perfectly-weighted pass with the outside of his right boot that sent James Garner down the touchline. He also showed his intelligence as he drew fouls in good crossing positions.
This was a losing introduction but Moyes hopes he will quickly get up to speed. Unsurprisingly, the home end targeted him with jeers when he was brought on. One local went so far as to yell “get a haircut” at the pony-tailed talisman - a shout about as inspiring as the blunt attack it is hoped Grealish will work his magic on.