Leeds United boss Daniel Farke expected Everton fightback, reveals 'second opinion' on injured star
Leeds United dominated the first-half at Everton before conceding to share the spoils.
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke 'fully expected' an Everton fightback in the second half but was content to take a point from Hill Dickinson Stadium.
A dominant first half saw Leeds go ahead deservedly through James Justin, who deputised impressively for the injured Gabriel Gudmundsson. Dominic Calvert-Lewin hit the post and Ilia Gruev shot over from another good chance as Leeds controlled their hosts completely.
But David Moyes' half-time changes helped Everton get a foothold and they took over in the second half. Leeds held firm until the 76th minute when Thierno Barry got across Sebastiaan Bornauw to tuck home a low cross. Everton hit the bar shortly after but it was Leeds who finished the game on the front foot after a late triple swap by Farke.
"I fully expected this [second half]," said Farke. "Overall a really good result for us here on the road. To travel away with one point after an impressive result for them last time out against a top side. First half was one of the best away performances we've shown, very dominant. Was a bit unlucky we couldn't capitalise a bit more, we couldn't find the last pass or second to last pass a bit tidier. Dominic should have scored in his situation. Everton is a top, well-managed side with so much quality on the bench. It was clear they would show up in the second half. I still got the feeling we were controlling the game against the ball with less possession. Karl had one good save, and they hit the bar but other than this it was more or less just the goal. We could have defended it a bit sharper. But I liked the reaction, in the last 10 minutes we got the momentum a bit more on our side, good counters and set-pieces. I haven't double checked but the gut feeling is we should be there with more expected goals, more shots, more big chances missed. It was not to be and we have to respect their quality."
Farke was questioned on the timing of his late substitutions, given Everton had been on top for so much of the second half. He admitted he was considering changing to a back four and going 4-3-3 prior to the Barry goal but ultimately felt it was best to stick with a defence that had been solid against Fulham and for a long time against the Toffees.
"It was a difficult situation," he said. "Everton has changed their formation. We didn't have a problem defending their processes. We lost a bit the control in possession. I was thinking about changing to three midfield players, taking a centre-back out, a bit earlier to get more dominance back. On the other side you're already missing key defensive players Jaka Bijol and Gabi Gudmundsson, we've finished the last game with a clean sheet, we don't allow chances and defend really well in the last row. If you take a centre-back out and risk to defend with a four-man formation, it would be madness at 1-0 up in this game. After you can say perhaps it would be better to do it before but you never know. It's always difficult to say. It was something I was thinking about. What the lads have done in our five at the back also in the last game was spot on."
As for Gudmundsson, Farke revealed that the Swede was always going to miss out against Everton but a second opinion on his groin issue has given cause for optimism.
"Sadly he has a little strain in his adductor," said Farke. "He was always going to miss this game. We hope to have him back as quickly as possible. Initial assessment was three to four weeks, not great but right now it looks a bit brighter. We have a second opinion. I hope to have him back as quick as possible, so that he maximum misses one or perhaps two games, but not more, because obviously he's an important player for us. Although I have to say James Justin was today on this position also excellent."