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Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin ended his Premier League goal drought as the Toffees beat Leeds 2-1 in an all-action Elland Road thriller.
England forward Calvert-Lewin had not scored in the top flight since early December against Burnley, but his first-half goal proved crucial despite a plethora of other goalscoring opportunities.
In the second half, Leeds fought back through Raphinha but could not muster a second to equalise. On the other hand, Everton could not finish the contest off.
The first minute encapsulated the blistering first 45 minutes, with Leeds generating a shot inside the Everton box.
But the fast start continued, with Gylfi Sigurdsson ghosting in amid sleepwalking Whites defenders to smash home Lucas Digne’s low cross after nine minutes.
That livened the game up further, with Calvert-Lewin and Mateusz Klich sharing efforts on goal within a minute of each other.
Ezgjan Alioski hit the post with a first-time volley outside the box from the corner, before Pascal Struijk – who was partly at fault for Sigurdsson’s goal – had a header palmed over.
But Everton kept strong and Calvert-Lewin ended his recent lack of goalmouth action, the England international stooping low with a diving header from a corner.
Leeds’ task in the second half was to get the all-important third goal – and that is what they did.
Patrick Bamford and Raphinha, two players in excellent form, combined to allow the latter to finish in the corner after Everton wasted chances to clear.
Leeds fight back but still end-to-end
That goal inspired a fightback from the hosts, who have made somewhat of a habit of losing at Elland Road this season.
Raphinha curled a free-kick into the box and while Everton headed clear, they were sitting deep.
The Whites then threw men forward again to force deputy Toffees goalkeeper Robin Olsen into a fantastic triple save. He first palmed away a deflected shot, before also keeping out efforts from Raphinha and Jack Harrison.
Everton did have chances amid the Leeds domination, with Richarlison firing wide. But Bamford’s arcing header then shaved the top of the bar.
The Toffees’ should have killed the game off after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s breakaway on 86 minutes, but Meslier saved Calvert-Lewin’s poor effort.
Everton’s three points takes will be welcome to Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti after Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle. Meanwhile, Leeds’ two-game winning run came to an end.
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