Lukas Nmecha´s controversial late penalty gave Leeds lift-off on their return to the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Everton at a jubilant Elland Road on Monday.
The match appeared to be meandering towards a stalemate until James Tarkowski was harshly adjudged to have handled Anton Stach´s driven shot.
Nmecha had only been on the field for six minutes of his Leeds debut but confidently fired past Jordan Pickford in the 84th minute.
“It´s not a penalty,” said Tarkowski. “I was pretty convinced it was going to get overturned (by VAR).
“A bizarre moment and it cost us the point in the end.”
There was little Tarkowski could do as his left arm was down by his side as it blocked Stach´s effort.
Nmecha stayed calm amid the furore as the German international found the bottom corner.
Tarkowski had Everton´s only chance to make amends with an equaliser but he headed over. AFP
So far, 10 matches have been played in the Premier League season 2025–26 . Liverpool, Brighton, Sunderland, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, and Leeds have each secured a win, earning three points each. Aston Villa, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace received one point each after their matches ended in a draw.