Leeds United Edge Everton As Premier League Race Heats Up

Everton and Leeds United faced off at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday, January 27, 2026, in a Premier League clash that carried weight for both clubs’ aspirations to finish in the top half of the table. With Everton riding high after a vital win at Aston Villa and Leeds arriving with only one defeat in their last nine, anticipation buzzed through the stands as kickoff approached.

Everton’s season has been a rollercoaster. The Toffees, under the stewardship of David Moyes, have flirted with the idea of a top-six charge but have also stumbled just enough to find themselves mid-table as January winds down. For a club that’s endured more than its share of recent turmoil, a drama-free campaign is welcome, but there’s a nagging sense that Everton could be pushing for more. Their 1-0 victory over Aston Villa, courtesy of Thierno Barry’s decisive strike, offered a glimpse of what this squad might achieve if it clicks at the right time.

Leeds United, managed by Daniel Farke, entered the match five points clear of the relegation zone but with a defensive record that belied their position. They had conceded 37 goals through 22 matches—16th in the league—but their expected goals against (xGA) stood at 30.9, the sixth-best in the Premier League. Only Arsenal, Newcastle, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool boasted better defensive metrics by that measure. Leeds’ ability to suppress quality chances has kept them afloat, even if the scoreboard hasn’t always reflected their underlying solidity.

Everton, meanwhile, have presented a statistical paradox: 10th in xGA (33.8) but third-best in actual goals conceded, with just 25 allowed. That overperformance can largely be credited to Jordan Pickford, who continues to bail out his back line with world-class saves. But as any seasoned supporter knows, such heroics can’t always stave off regression, and there’s a risk the Toffees’ luck could turn if the defense doesn’t tighten up.

Injuries have played their part in shaping Everton’s recent fortunes. Jack Grealish, their on-loan creative spark, remains sidelined for several months. The return of Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye from a triumphant African Cup of Nations campaign offered a timely boost, but doubts lingered over the fitness of Charly Alcaraz and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall heading into the Leeds fixture. On the other side, Leeds’ injury list was less daunting, though Daniel James and Jaka Bijol were ruled out and Anton Stach and Gabriel Gudmundsson were questionable.

As the match got underway, Everton fans were treated to a lively start. The Toffees dominated possession and momentum in the opening minutes, threatening to break through with their increased energy and sharper passing. According to a former Manchester City and Everton defender on Sky Sports, "Everton have stepped things up. It's all well changing formation but you have to play well, zip the ball around and make things happen. They have upped the energy."

Despite this, it was Leeds who struck first. In the 29th minute, Joe Rodon won a loose ball and sparked a swift counter down the right. Anton Stach whipped a low cross through the box, where Brenden Aaronson—displaying the form that’s made him a standout this season—wisely let the ball run for James Justin. Justin made no mistake, snapping his finish past Pickford to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The stadium buzzed with a mix of frustration and disbelief as Leeds celebrated a well-worked goal.

Leeds’ confidence grew from there. The visitors began to control possession and registered a 9-2 shot advantage at one point in the second half. Brenden Aaronson continued to pull the strings, while former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin provided a focal point up top, keeping the home defense honest. Leeds’ high-pressing style, which has seen them lead the Premier League in high pressures both overall and in the opposition half in 2026, was on full display. Three of the top-five players for high pressures this year are Leeds players—Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin, and Ilia Gruev—showcasing the relentless work ethic instilled by Farke.

Everton, for their part, struggled to create clear chances. The absence of Grealish was keenly felt, and Ndiaye, just back from international duty, looked a step off the pace. Moyes responded at halftime by introducing Jarrad Branthwaite—making his season debut after a lengthy injury layoff—and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, hoping to inject fresh impetus. Dwight McNeil and Harrison Armstrong made way as the Toffees searched for a spark.

Still, Leeds remained a threat. Karl Darlow, brought on as Leeds’ goalkeeper, produced a crucial save to deny Thierno Barry’s curling effort after Ndiaye set him free. Idrissa Gana Gueye, ever industrious, surged forward after a smart interception and teed up Ndiaye for a promising chance, only for Leeds defender Bournauw to make a vital block. The frustration among Everton fans was palpable, punctuated by boos at halftime as the home side went into the break trailing.

Historical context added further intrigue to the contest. Everton have lost only one of their last 16 home league games against Leeds, with that solitary defeat coming in November 2020. Leeds, meanwhile, were chasing their first league double over Everton since the 1990-91 season. Their last two away victories against the Toffees as a promoted side dated back to August 1990 and November 2020. Everton’s home form has been patchy, with just seven points from their last seven home Premier League matches, while Leeds’ away record has been less than stellar—just one win and three draws from 11 attempts this campaign.

Defensively, Everton had been prolific in keeping clean sheets, notching seven since the start of November—more than any other Premier League side. James Garner’s ball-winning prowess has been a bright spot; only three players in the league have won possession more often this season. His 14 recoveries against Aston Villa were the most by a Toffees player since March 2024. Leeds, for their part, had scored 17 goals in their last nine games—a marked improvement from their first 13 matches—and striker Lukas Nmecha continued to impress with a goal every 122 minutes, the fourth-best ratio among players with 500-plus minutes.

As the clock ticked down at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Leeds maintained their slender advantage. Everton pressed for an equalizer, but Leeds’ defense held firm, with Darlow and his back line repelling wave after wave of attacks. The action remained ongoing at the time of reporting, with the score still 1-0 in favor of Leeds following James Justin’s first-half strike. With both teams eyeing a top-10 finish, the result remained in the balance as the final whistle approached.

For Everton, the challenge is clear: find greater consistency and unlock their attacking potential if they’re to move up the table. For Leeds, the blend of defensive solidity and high-pressing energy continues to serve them well as they look to distance themselves from the relegation scrap. The Premier League’s mid-table battle is heating up, and both sides know every point could prove crucial in the weeks ahead.