Manager Frank Lampard described Everton’s performance as “special” as he claimed his first Premier League win with his new club in a dominant victory against Leeds United.
The win means the Toffees are now five points clear of the relegation zone after ending a run of six league games without a victory.
Goodison Park was rocking at full time and Lampard’s name was chanted around the stadium throughout the second half as they cruised to victory.
“It was an incredible afternoon. What we did today was something special in terms of the performance. It showed an attitude, aggression and work-rate,” Lampard told BBC Sport.
“I can see the talent. Individually you go through the team and there’s ability in there. It was about being a strong unit and fighting for the fans.
“The fans would have enjoyed it – I certainly did. We need to use it for a base for where we want to go in the league.
“Relief is three points and the table looks slightly better this week but I’m just so proud of the performance. That has made me really happy.”
Captain Seamus Coleman was the unlikely scorer of the opener, tapping in a rebound from Donny van de Beek’s cross, before Michael Keane’s thumping header made it 2-0 early on.
Anthony Gordon then added a third in the second half as Everton, who had 21 shots on goal, looked lively with the return of Alex Iwobi and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack.
Van de Beek was handed a first Everton start and was heavily involved, particularly in the first half, as Leeds struggled to gain momentum.
Leeds rarely tested goalkeeper Jordan Pickford but Rodrigo almost produced two moments of magic when long-range efforts crashed off the crossbar in the first half.
In the end, it was comfortable for Everton, who moved to within a point of 15th-placed Leeds after keeping a first clean sheet in 13 matches.
Everton show fight in much-needed victory
The pressure was on Everton to deliver after a dreadful run of form – and Lampard’s side showed intensity from the first minute.
Gordon almost made it 1-0 within seconds of kick-off, only to be denied by an excellent last-ditch block from Luke Ayling.
The hosts were well on top in the early stages too, with the Goodison crowd in fine voice as Leeds were put under pressure.
Coleman’s passionate celebration – a roar towards the home fans, a badge clutch and a kiss for Richarlison on the cheek – showed how much it meant for the captain to put his side in the lead.
Everton maintained their intensity after that and big tackles from Mason Holgate and Iwobi were appreciated by supporters, before Richarlison received a big cheer for his work in winning the corner which led to the second goal.
Leeds carried a threat in patches – Rodrigo’s stunning efforts hitting the crossbar twice, while Jack Harrison struck wide and Daniel James was almost played in behind on one or two occasions.
But Everton were good value for their victory – a first in the Premier League under new boss Lampard, and in 2022.
The Blues boss applauded the Goodison Park faithful as they chanted his name shortly after Gordon had helped steer Richarlison’s strike into the bottom corner for Everton’s third goal.
They were almost given a fourth goal to celebrate too but Salomon Rondon’s strike was expertly tipped over the bar by Leeds keeper Illan Meslier.
Everton’s 21 shots was their most in 78 Premier League games, since having 22 against Newcastle in December 2019.
Meanwhile, Leeds’ manager Marcelo Bielsa has another injury concern to contend with as Stuart Dallas was forced off within seven minutes.
With Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham coming up in their next three fixtures, Bielsa will hope the injury is not serious.
Player of the match
van de BeekDonny van de Beek
Everton
-
Squad number30Player namevan de BeekAverage rating
7.97
-
Squad number24Player nameGordonAverage rating
6.82
-
Squad number36Player nameAlli
Average rating6.66
-
Squad number23Player nameColeman
Average rating6.63
-
Squad number7Player nameRicharlison
Average rating6.57
-
Squad number9Player nameCalvert-Lewin
Average rating6.44
-
Squad number5Player nameKeane
Average rating6.30
-
Squad number6Player nameAllan
Average rating6.29
-
Squad number34Player nameEl Ghazi
Average rating6.26
-
Squad number17Player nameIwobi
Average rating6.25
-
Squad number33Player nameRondón
Average rating6.21
-
Squad number2Player nameKenny
Average rating6.06
-
Squad number4Player nameHolgate
Average rating5.98
-
Squad number1Player namePickford
Average rating5.88
Leeds United
-
Squad number19Player nameRodrigo
Average rating6.05
-
Squad number20Player nameJames
Average rating5.53
-
Squad number1Player nameMeslier
Average rating5.50
-
Squad number15Player nameDallas
Average rating5.36
-
Squad number21Player nameStruijk
Average rating5.31
-
Squad number14Player nameLlorente
Average rating5.30
-
Squad number33Player nameHjelde
Average rating5.25
-
Squad number22Player nameHarrison
Average rating5.23
-
Squad number5Player nameKoch
Average rating5.20
-
Squad number2Player nameAyling
Average rating5.19
-
Squad number10Player nameRaphinha
Average rating5.18
-
Squad number43Player nameKlich
Average rating5.06
-
Squad number4Player nameForshaw
Average rating5.00
-
Squad number11Player nameRoberts
Average rating3.46
Line-ups
Everton
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Pickford
- 23Coleman
- 4Holgate
- 5Keane
- 2Kenny
- 17IwobiBooked at 74mins
- 6Allan
- 30van de Beek
- 24GordonSubstituted forEl Ghaziat 81′minutes
- 9Calvert-LewinSubstituted forAlliat 72′minutes
- 7RicharlisonSubstituted forRondónat 86′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Patterson
- 14Townsend
- 15Begovic
- 20Tosun
- 21André Gomes
- 32Branthwaite
- 33Rondón
- 34El Ghazi
- 36Alli
Leeds
Formation 3-3-3-1
- 1Meslier
- 5Koch
- 14Llorente
- 21Struijk
- 43KlichSubstituted forForshawat 45′minutes
- 19Rodrigo
- 2Ayling
- 15DallasSubstituted forHjeldeat 9′minutes
- 22Harrison
- 10RaphinhaSubstituted forRobertsat 45′minutes
- 20JamesBooked at 29mins
Substitutes
- 4Forshaw
- 11Roberts
- 13Klaesson
- 26Bate
- 30Gelhardt
- 33Hjelde
- 38Summerville
- 46Shackleton
- 54Kenneh
- Referee:
- Graham Scott
- Attendance:
- 39,150
Match Stats
Live Text
-
Match ends, Everton 3, Leeds United 0.
-
Second Half ends, Everton 3, Leeds United 0.
-
Corner, Everton. Conceded by Daniel James.
-
Corner, Everton. Conceded by Illan Meslier.
-
Attempt saved. Salomón Rondón (Everton) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dele Alli with a through ball.
-
Luke Ayling (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Dele Alli (Everton).
-
Substitution, Everton. Salomón Rondón replaces Richarlison.
-
Attempt missed. Dele Alli (Everton) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Alexander Iwobi.
-
Substitution, Everton. Anwar El Ghazi replaces Anthony Gordon.
-
Jack Harrison (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
-
Foul by Jonjoe Kenny (Everton).
-
Goal! Everton 3, Leeds United 0. Anthony Gordon (Everton) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Richarlison.
-
Attempt blocked. Richarlison (Everton) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Allan.
-
Alexander Iwobi (Everton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
-
Attempt blocked. Alexander Iwobi (Everton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jonjoe Kenny.
-
Attempt blocked. Jonjoe Kenny (Everton) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dele Alli.
-
Attempt blocked. Alexander Iwobi (Everton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Anthony Gordon.
-
Substitution, Everton. Dele Alli replaces Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
-
Attempt missed. Rodrigo (Leeds United) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Pascal Struijk.