Daniel Farke's side penned Everton back from the off, with Jordan Pickford making an early save from Joel Piroe at his near post, while Pascal Struijk completely missed a header from a good position

Leeds United edged past Everton 1-0 in the final match of the 2025-26 Premier League season’s opening weekend. Lukas Nmecha rolled home a late penalty (84’) after James Tarkowski was adjudged to have handled it inside the box.

A cross from Dan James was met by Piroe but O’Brien scrambled it away. The first quarter of the match had passed with Everton not getting a touch in the Leeds box. That finally changes in the 29th minute when Alcaraz broke into the box but the Leeds keeper was there to snuff out the chance.

Preview the matchup between Leeds United and Everton FC with predictions, odds, over/under, betting lines and more.

Leeds were promoted as Championship winners last season, while Everton finished 13th in the Premier League. Each club added eight new faces to their respective roster since last season as Leeds looks to maintain status in England’s top flight and Everton looks to at a minimum to crack the Top 10.

Leeds United returns to the Premier League after two seasons in the Championship and will play their first match back in the top flight against Everton. The game will be played at Elland Road, with Daniel Farke leading the team once again.

Leeds’ win over Everton was settled by a late penalty that sparked fierce debate, with managers and pundits split on whether the decision was correct.

Leeds starting XI: Perri, Rodon, Struijk, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach, James, Gnonto, Piroe. Substitutes: Darlow, Byram, Longstaff, Aaronson, Harrison, Ramazani, Nmecha, Bornauw and Gruev. Jack Grealish starts tonight's game from the bench, whilst Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is named in the starting 11.