Daniel Farke makes big admission after Leeds win

Daniel Farke makes big admission after Leeds win - 'Everton can use this moment'

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke spoke to the media after his side's 1-0 win over Everton at Elland Road

Daniel Farke and David Moyes during the match between Leeds United and Everton at Elland Road on August 18, 2025 (Image: Pat Scaasi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke admitted that he was concerned that Everton might snatch the lead at Elland Road after weathering his side’s early storm but in the end, he believed they were good value for their 1-0 win.

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A controversial penalty converted by substitute Lukas Nmecha after James Tarkowski was adjudged to have handled the ball handed the three points to the newly promoted Yorkshire outfit and Farke said: “Overall, in a tight game, it was a hard-fought win but also, I thought, a well-deserved win. For a newly promoted side, it was outstanding performance, we were very dominant in the first half and had nearly 70% possession and 12 shots, there could have been a few more on target, but 21 I think in total.

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“I was a bit worried, especially as a newly promoted side, to have such a dominant period, for more or less the whole first half, and also in the start of the second half, having good chances, normally you have to reward yourself with a goal because at Premier League level, one little moment can change your whole momentum. An experienced side like Everton can come into the game, take advantage, score a goal and the whole story is more like that you get praise for the performance but no points on the board.

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What referee Chris Kavanagh told James Tarkowski during Everton VAR penalty review READ MORE:

“So, I’m pretty pleased we were able to reward ourselves with the goal and also to protect the clean sheet. We didn’t allow many chances throughout the whole game, perhaps one in the second half.

“I think we deserved to win this game but you always have to be switched on. There was this situation with Ethan Ampadu, when he was fouled (by Tim Iroegbunam, who was booked) and had to go out and you have to play with underload for one minute because he stays out and then he’s limping around for another two or three minutes.

“All of a sudden, you’re playing four or five minutes underload, and a side like Everton can use this moment to play the game a bit more in our half. Sometimes you lose confidence in these moments, along with the focus and momentum of the game.

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“The lads reacted in the perfect way and step by step we got the momentum back and even in the last seconds I was not fearing that we would concede. It felt we were closer to scoring a second goal than they were to scoring an equaliser, so all in all, it was a well-deserved win against a really good and very experienced Premier League side.”

The German was pleased that his side were able to adopt a bold approach against an Everton outfit who were kicking off a record 123rd season in English top flight football. He said: “It’s great for the confidence, great for the whole mood. It’s the right choice to say that we don’t change everything and park the bus and put the ball in the stand.

“Our DNA is more like ‘we want the ball, we want to dominate the game,’ like we did today in most periods of the game. We play front foot football and attacking football.

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“Of course there will be moments where you have to dig in and against upcoming opponents, Arsenal and Newcastle, we need to be structured and be a good unit when we don’t have the ball. But our approach was good for our confidence, and it was a priceless three points from the first game.

“Elland Road is pretty unique with the atmosphere. When the fire is burning and emotions are high, sometimes you can lose your nerve.

“But I like that we wanted to score more goals, to go for it, and enjoy it, but it’s also important with all the emotions, that we’re not overdoing things. We need to make smart decisions in our positioning – we have to be pragmatic – and get things over the line.”

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