Calvert-Lewin Returns As Everton Face Leeds In Thriller

Everton welcomed Leeds United to the new Hill Dickinson stadium on January 26, 2026, in a Premier League clash brimming with storylines, tactical intrigue, and a touch of nostalgia. The Toffees, seeking to halt a worrying slide in home form, faced a Leeds side desperate to shake off their travel woes. The evening promised drama, with familiar faces and fresh talents taking center stage in front of a raucous Merseyside crowd.

David Moyes’ Everton outfit entered the contest with just seven points from their last seven home league matches—a stark contrast to the optimism that accompanied their move to the new stadium earlier in the season. The team’s attacking output had also been under the microscope, with only 24 goals scored in 22 games prior to kickoff. Injuries and squad rotation had taken their toll, forcing Moyes to dig deep into his roster and trust in emerging players.

One of the headline absences was Jack Grealish, sidelined through injury. In his place, youngster Harrison Armstrong retained his spot in the starting XI after an impressive loan spell at Preston and a solid return to the Everton fold. Thierno Barry, fresh from netting the winner against Aston Villa in the previous fixture, was again entrusted with leading the line, leaving Beto to watch from the bench. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, another key option, started among the substitutes.

The confirmed Everton XI featured Jordan Pickford between the posts, shielded by a back line of Vitalii Mykolenko, Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, and Nathan Patterson. The midfield trio comprised James Garner, Idrissa Gueye, and Dwight McNeil, while Armstrong, Iliman Ndiaye, and Barry formed a dynamic attacking trident. Ndiaye’s return was particularly noteworthy, coming just after his triumphant Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Senegal—a boost that many Toffees supporters hoped would inject renewed energy into the squad.

Across the technical area, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke made a couple of enforced changes. With Gabriel Gudmundsson ruled out by injury, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Anton Stach earned starting berths. Noah Okafor dropped out, while Karl Darlow maintained his place as the Whites’ last line of defense. Leeds’ lineup read: Darlow; Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon, Bornauw, James Justin; Ilia Gruev, Ethan Ampadu, Stach; Jayden Bogle, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Brenden Aaronson.

Leeds’ season had been a tale of two halves. Back in the Premier League and showing promise at Elland Road, their away record told a different story. Only Burnley and Wolves had fewer away points than Leeds’ six (one win, three draws, seven losses), and their defense had been porous, conceding 24 goals on the road—surpassed only by Bournemouth and Burnley. The return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, facing his former club for the first time since his summer switch, added an extra layer of intrigue. Would he come back to haunt the Toffees?

Pre-match chatter focused on Everton’s inconsistency and the unpredictability that has characterized their campaign. Pundit Chris Sutton captured the mood, stating, "I'm definitely adding Everton to my list of teams who are impossible to predict. They've had some brilliant results this season, and some really disappointing ones too." Sutton also highlighted the impact of injuries, but praised the resilience shown in their previous outing against Villa. "They were depleted against Villa last time out and they were brilliant in that game. Thierno Barry took his goal ever so well for their winner. I know it was close in but it was still a lovely finish."

Sutton’s eye was also drawn to the performances of Armstrong and Merlin Rohl, noting their increasing importance to Moyes’ side. The return of Ndiaye after his international exploits was expected to lift the Toffees’ spirits and perhaps provide the creative spark they had been missing. Sutton, ever the analyst, didn’t shy away from the challenge of predicting the outcome. "Leeds beat Everton 1-0 at Elland Road with a late penalty at the start of the season, and this game will be just as tight. I was going to go for an Everton win by the same scoreline but then I thought about Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming back to his old club. He is bound to score, isn't he?" His final prediction: a 1-1 draw, reflecting the tense, evenly matched nature of the contest.

The narrative of the evening was shaped by these intertwined threads—Everton’s hunger to reclaim their home fortress, Leeds’ quest to end their away-day blues, and Calvert-Lewin’s emotional return. The tactical battle was set: Moyes’ structured approach versus Farke’s adaptable, pressing style. Both managers had to contend with key absences and the pressure of expectation, knowing that even a single moment could tilt the balance.

For Everton, the spotlight was firmly on their young guns. Harrison Armstrong, having impressed in his loan spell, was eager to cement his place. Thierno Barry, praised for his aerial prowess and "nuisance value," as Sutton described, was expected to trouble the Leeds defense with his movement and physicality. Ndiaye, fresh from continental triumph, brought a winning mentality and much-needed flair.

Leeds, meanwhile, looked to steady their defensive ship. The inclusion of Bornauw and Stach signaled Farke’s intent to shore up the midfield and back line. Darlow’s experience in goal would be crucial, as would the leadership of Struijk and Rodon at the heart of defense. Up front, all eyes were on Calvert-Lewin. His familiarity with the Everton setup and his motivation to prove a point made him a potential match-winner.

As kickoff approached, the tension was palpable. Everton fans hoped for a turning point in their home form, while Leeds supporters dreamed of a rare away triumph. The opening exchanges were cagey, with both teams probing for weaknesses. Everton looked to exploit the flanks, utilizing Armstrong’s pace and Barry’s presence in the box. Leeds, disciplined and patient, sought to hit on the break, with Aaronson and Bogle providing width and Calvert-Lewin lurking ominously.

With so much at stake, every challenge, pass, and shot carried extra weight. The managers barked instructions from the sidelines, urging their charges to seize the initiative. The match’s outcome remained delicately poised, with neither side able to establish clear dominance as the minutes ticked by.

As the action unfolded, the storylines continued to develop: Could Everton’s young stars rise to the occasion? Would Calvert-Lewin deliver the sucker punch against his old club? Or would the defenses hold firm in a battle of attrition?

By the final whistle, the night had delivered the tense, hard-fought contest many had anticipated. With the match still ongoing at the time of writing, the outcome remained uncertain. Both teams left everything on the pitch, and the fans—whether blue or white—were treated to a night of Premier League football that lived up to its billing.

As the dust settles, Everton and Leeds both have reasons for optimism and areas to address. The race for points continues, and the Premier League drama rolls on.