Senegal Star Gueye Transforms Everton After AFCON Celebrations
Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye returned to Premier League action with Everton just days after celebrating Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations triumph in Dakar, but any fatigue from their victory parade was emphatically dismissed on the pitch. The midfield duo, fresh from open-top bus tours through packed Senegalese streets, delivered performances that belied their recent festivities, with Gueye in particular rolling back the years at 36 years old.
Leeds Take Control Through Justin's Clinical Finish
The match began with Leeds United establishing early control, capitalising on Everton's lacklustre offensive efforts. Despite dominating possession, the Toffees failed to test goalkeeper Karl Darlow throughout the opening exchanges. Their toothlessness was punished in the 28th minute when James Justin finished a sweeping counter-attack with confidence, converting Anton Stach's cross after Dominic Calvert-Lewin narrowly missed the connection.
Justin's goal came after he initiated a run from the halfway line, completely untracked by Dwight McNeil, highlighting defensive deficiencies that left Everton manager David Moyes fuming on the touchline. Leeds nearly doubled their advantage minutes later when Calvert-Lewin, returning to his former club, struck the post from Jayden Bogle's teasing cross, much to the delight of the travelling supporters who sang his name throughout the first half.
Half-Time Boos Spark Everton Revival
The interval arrived with Everton's performance prompting loud boos from the home faithful, amplified by the bitter Mersey winds blowing through Hill Dickinson Stadium. Moyes's side had won just once in their previous six matches at their impressive new ground, with noise levels dropping significantly as fans grew increasingly agitated by their team's inability to break down Leeds' organised defence.
Everton were missing injured star Jack Grealish, with fears he could miss much of the remaining season, but received a significant boost from the return of their African champions. Gueye and Ndiaye might have been expected to show signs of lethargy after their week of celebrations, but instead they injected much-needed energy into Everton's play after the break.
Gueye Orchestrates Dramatic Equaliser
The second half transformation began with Everton creating their first genuine chance of the evening, as Gueye's precise pass found Ndiaye, whose effort required a last-ditch block from Sebastiaan Bornauw. Suddenly, Leeds defenders were forced to work as Darlow made two crucial saves in quick succession, first parrying Thierno Barry's curling effort before denying Gueye from distance.
The veteran midfielder demonstrated exactly why Everton missed him during his month away at AFCON when, on 76 minutes, he delivered a beautiful cross that Barry converted to equalise. Gueye nearly turned provider to match-winner minutes later when his speculative effort from the edge of the area rattled the crossbar, as Leeds transformed from a picture of calm to a team desperately clinging on for a point.
Points Shared as European Hopes Remain Alive
The single point extended Everton's recent improvement following their surprise victory at Aston Villa the previous week, moving them back into the top half of the table. For Leeds, the result maintained their impressive form of just one defeat in eleven matches, helping manager Daniel Farke establish a six-point cushion above the relegation zone.
Calvert-Lewin received warm applause from Everton fans when his name was read out before kick-off, though the home supporters must have reflected on what they lost when their former striker departed last summer. Having scored 18 goals across his final four seasons at Everton, the forward is already halfway to matching that tally in just six months at Leeds, representing another 'one that got away' scenario for Moyes to contemplate.
Ultimately, Gueye's inspirational performance proved the defining narrative of an entertaining encounter. The Senegalese international, who captained his country during their dramatic AFCON final victory just eight days earlier, showed no signs of celebration fatigue as he dragged Everton back into contention and demonstrated why he remains so integral to their midfield structure.
