Premier League analysis: Who were the new faces on show at Elland Road? Leeds United vs Everton
The opening weekend of the Premier League ended with a controversial clash between Leeds United and Everton at Elland Road on Sunday.
German striker Lukas Nmecha proved the difference for the Whites, with a debut-day goal.
The 26-year-old slotted a well-placed penalty into the back of the net in the 84th minute, after Toffees’ defender James Tarkowski was deemed to have handled the ball inside the area.
Leeds’ new frontman was not the only new face on show, though.
Here, Transfer News Blitz writer Louie Rudge-Ferro has taken a look at how the debutants got on.
Leeds United still in need of more?
The Whites have made several additions this summer, despite boss Daniel Farke publicly criticising his side’s lack of ambition in the transfer window.
Leeds United had 21 shots against Everton, and with the addition of a quality goalscorer, could have, and probably should have, been ahead before half-time.
It is hard to judge yet whether Nmecha will be enough to keep the Yorkshire club up this summer, and clearly, those in power at the club agree, following the signings of two further forwards.
Ironically, Dominic Calvert-Lewis made the switch to Elland Road from opening day rivals Everton on a free transfer earlier this summer.
The Englishman suffered another injury in January and has struggled to keep fit over the last few seasons.
In the last three seasons, the 28-year-old has managed to find the back of the net just 13 times.
Although Farke confirmed that Calvert-Lewin is back in training, he was unable to make the bench against his former club.
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Leeds United close in on Noah Okafor
If reports are also to be believed, Swiss forward Noah Okafor is set to imminently arrive from Italian giants AC Milan, who played Leeds during pre-season.
The 25-year-old stood out at RB Salzburg, scoring 33 goals across four seasons with the Austrian side, but his talent did not translate to finding the back of the net in the Serie A.
Despite this, Okafor was part of Scudetto-winning Napoli after a six-month loan to Antonio Conte’s side last term.
Leeds will have to hope that at least one of their new forward signings knows how to score goals in the Premier League if they are to stay up against strong competition.
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Jack Grealish gets a fresh start
As for Everton, there was a lot of noise around the signing of Jack Grealish, who made his Blues debut from the bench at Elland Road.
The England international joined the Toffees on a season-long loan after a few disappointing campaigns with Manchester City.
Grealish offers bags of winning experience and creativity to a side that looked starved of the latter against Leeds.
Everton will need to bring in some creativity if they are to avoid a relegation battle.
Zero shots in the first half against a newly promoted side will be extremely worrying for David Moyes.
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