Lukas Nmecha had a dream start to life in the Premier League in last night’s 1 – 0 victory over Everton, scoring the only goal.
Leeds signed Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer after he was released by Wolfsburg earlier this summer.
Nmecha has enjoyed a promising start to life at Leeds, with the striker bringing competition to the likes of Joel Piroe for the No.1 striker position.
Last night at Elland Road Lukas Nmecha was Leeds United’s hero, scoring from the penalty spot and allowing Leeds to break a Championship winners curse.
Lukas Nmecha celebrates his goal for Leeds vs Everton.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Lukas Nmecha’s debut goal has a deeper meaning
After last night’s victory over Everton, Opta’s Jonny Cooper shared on X that Lukas Nmecha became just the second player in Leeds United’s history to score a penalty on his debut, after Percy Whipp in 1922.
Talk about making your mark, it was a great strike too, Nmecha sent the ball into the right-hand corner with such speed, Everton’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford couldn’t get his hand to it despite going the right way.
Leeds fans loved it and so did former Leeds United player and Nmecha’s former teammate Josuha Guilavogui, who sent him a message after the game.
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Overall, Nmecha had a decent game statistically. Despite only playing for 13 minutes, replacing Joel Piroe in the 78th minute, he made his impact with one goal, two shots on target, a top speed of 31.3 km/h and two touches in opposition box.
Which striker will start in Leeds’ next game against Arsenal?
It seems to be a big question at the moment, who will Daniel Farke put his trust in this season to deliver the goals for Leeds? Last season’s top scorer Joel Piroe and new talent Lukas Nmecha?
Let’s compare their performances last night to try and come to a conclusion as to which will start against Arsenal.
Joel Piroe started the game and was a key part of Leeds’ first-half dominance. He had a couple of early chances, including a close-range effort that was saved by Jordan Pickford. However, he was substituted in the 78th minute.
Lukas Nmecha came on as a substitute for Piroe in the 78th minute and had an immediate impact. He scored the winning goal from the penalty spot in the 84th minute, which was only his third touch of the game.
Daniel Farke and Lukas Nmecha.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
While Piroe started and was active in the first half, he did not manage to score. Nmecha, on the other hand, made a dramatic and decisive impact with his debut goal.
Given that Nmecha scored the winning goal and Piroe was taken off, it is highly likely that Nmecha’s performance has given him the edge for the starting spot in the next game against Arsenal.
Managers often favour a striker who is in form and has just scored. The timing of the substitution and the immediate positive result for Nmecha strongly suggest he could be in line to start.