Seamus Coleman’s brilliantly taken goal in the second half gave Everton a huge victory over fellow relegation-threatened Leeds United at Goodison Park on Saturday evening.

The Everton captain scored the only goal of the game in the 64th minute when he took advantage from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier’s catastrophic error.

The 34-year-old’s effort from the right wing went in as the Meslier failed to cover his front post.

The pre-match talk revolved around which of the two sides could claim the win in what was dubbed a monumental Premier League six-pointer in order to pull themselves out of the drop zone.

Sean Dyche makes instant impact

The result sees Sean Dyche earn 2 wins in his first 3 matches in charge of the Toffees lifting them off the drop zone to rise to 16th. Leeds, who are without a manager since they sacked Jesse Marsch, are in deep trouble as they drop to 19th without a win in their last five league games.

The hosts were by far the better of the two sides as they put Leeds under pressure playing with more desire and intent, much of which was lacking under previous manager Frank Lampard.

Amadou Onana wasted a glorious chance in the 30th minute when he shot way over the bar after some great work on the right wing from Idrissa Gueye.

A minute later Patrick Bamford drilled his shot just wide after a devastating counterattack from Leeds.

Everton then went close yet again as they were denied twice off the line in quick succession.

First, Conor Coady’s header was cleared by Maximilian Wober before Weston McKennie denied Neil Maupay with a matter of seconds. Crysencio Summerville then headed just over before the two teams headed into the tunnel after the end of the first half.

It was all Everton in the second half as Leeds failed to gather any sort of momentum. After Coleman struck past the hour mark, the traveling side didn’t trouble Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal as the hosts held on to gather three huge points on the day.

Speaking on the win, Dyche said,

“I’m very pleased, I asked for maximum effort from the players and they’ve given me that today. We limited them – I think, I need to check – to not having a shot on target and it starts from the front players. Scoring goals in this industry takes freedom and there is tightness in the box. If you shoot and you miss. I’m not bothered – as long as you shoot. That freedom will grow with performances and confident. We got the ball in good areas and could have scored more. But I’ll take 1-0.”

Photo credit: IMAGO / Sportimage