Exuberance, energy and elation – how Leeds used the Elland Road X factor

Have you missed us, asks the banners that were displayed in The Don Revie Stand when Leeds United was greeted back by the elite.

Leeds were back in top form as Elland Road boiled in the kind of “hothouse atmosphere” that will determine their future plans to remain in the top flight.

Hours prior to kick-off, they gathered at The Old Peacock watering hole to celebrate their return after a fiery, contented, and content performance from Lukas Nmecha’s hotly-disputed late penalty, which gave Leeds the opportunity to follow another newly promoted side Sunderland.

Everton, wretched from beginning to end, and manager David Moyes left Elland Road with a sense of injustice, saying that James Tarkowski couldn’t possibly stop Anton Stach from scoring a shot.

What Leeds, who didn’t care, will undoubtedly serve as their example for overstepping the recent three-up, three straight back down for those promoted from the Championship, was what they felt they deserved at the end of the night.

Every tackle brought supporters to their feet, especially a crunching challenge by Ethan Ampadu that left Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall prone on the turf, was the result of Leeds’ cacophony, which saw Leeds pin passive, panicky Everton back in the first half.

Leeds and Farke’s dominance in the first half, coupled with their attack being a blunt instrument despite their superiority, left only one of their 12 shots on target, was the cause of their concern.

After the break, could they still maintain that level of intensity? No, that’s what.

Instead, Leeds dug deep, did the dirty work, albeit with little or no threat from a terrible Everton, and came away with the win with that dramatic late twist, which they will need this season.

Everton left Lucas Perri virtually unemployed, with the exception of one poor shot from Carlos Alcaraz in the closing stages, which he comfortably saved.

With 20 minutes left, Everton gave the signing of new loanee Jack Grealish an example of why Moyes expressed his concern about the lack of new arrivals, with acquisitions required at right-back, right-side, and in the central midfield.

Although it is obvious that Moyes is a fan of France’s under-21 striker Thierno Barry, there is no way he could have produced anything less than the performance Beto gave at Elland Road.

Statistics will also uplift the spirits as two newly promoted teams, for the third time in Premier League history, have won their opening games. It also occurred in the years of 1997-98 (Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace) and in 2021-22 (Brentford and Watford).

None of the previous 17 Championship winners had won their first game the following year, with five drawn and 12 losing. Since Sunderland defeated Spurs (1-0) on the opening day of the season in 2007-08, Leeds are the first team to do so.

Farke was elated, if logically cautious, but still cautious.

With all Leeds’ fingers crossed that he stays healthy, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who recently joined on a free transfer after leaving Everton, will provide a spearhead.

The Premier League has missed the sheer sporting spectacle provided by Elland Road, so to answer the question that was posed on the pre-match banner. If this is true, it might not be an experience that many teams will find enjoyable.

Leeds have a long way to go this season, but this stunning atmosphere provided evidence that Elland Road is where many of their battles must be won.

After the final whistle, Farke received the cheers of enthralling Leeds fans. The Kaiser Chiefs’ “I Predict A Riot” was loud and the old place erupted once more as it savored a second-round victory.

Leeds United may have a “X factor” in recent history when it comes to staying up, but that factor can be used to determine whether they can overcome those odds at Elland Road.