(Credit: Imago / Sky Sports)

Ben Palmer

Mon 18 August 2025 22:53, UK

Felix Nmecha may have done enough to guarantee himself the starting striker spot despite being on the pitch for only 20 minutes in his Leeds debut.

Anton Stach brilliant, Joel Piroe horrific - Leeds ratings in win v Everton	Perri commands, Piroe a worry - 5 things we learned from Leeds win v Everton	Iroegbunam terrible, Thierno Barry boosted - Everton's 3 winners and 3 losers v Leeds

Daniel Farke’s side had a strong first-half showing, but midway through the second-half of their Premier League curtain-raiser against Everton, they appeared to have run out of steam.

Wilfried Gnonto found no joy against Jake O’Brien, whilst Dan James was completely shut down by James Garner, who was playing out of position at left-back.

That was until Leeds’ Player of the Match, Anton Stach, hit a speculative effort that bounced around and hit James Tarkowski’s arm.

Lukas Nmecha stepped up to take the penalty and calmly tucked it away, giving Farke and his side all three points on their return to England’s top flight.

After a classical Leeds performance full of ups and downs, here are Football Insider‘s three winners, and three losers, from the night’s action.

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Lukas Nmecha

What a way to announce yourself.

Nmecha did not.

The former Man City man immediately endeared himself to the home fans, sprinting over to share the moment with them.

Lukas Nmecha joined Leeds from Wolfsburg this summer.

(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Leeds fans were underwhelmed by Nmecha’s signing at the start of the summer, but with one kick of a ball, all has changed and the German will likely be given a starting role against Arsenal on Saturday (23 August).

Anton Stach

Nmecha may steal the headlines with his match-winning penalty, but it was Stach who deserves all the plaudits.

Much like his German teammate, the former Hoffenheim man was making his debut and he slotted into Leeds’ midfield with ease.

Stach’s deflected effort won Leeds the penalty that resulted in their victory, but even without that moment, the 26-year-old looked worth every penny of the £17million [BBC Sport] spent to bring him to Yorkshire.

Daniel Farke

Daniel Farke found himself at risk of being sacked just days after securing Leeds’ return to the top flight.

His previous stints with Norwich in the Premier League resulted in relegation in his first season, and then being sacked in his second (with the Canaries also going down after his dismissal).

Daniel Farke was under pressure at the start of the summer.

(Credit Imago)

There were many doubts over whether his lack of pragmatism would cost him, but Leeds showed they could translate his style up a division and still find a way to win.

Joel Piroe

Piroe spent much of the match failing to get involved, and when he did touch the ball, little went right for him.

The Dutchman managed just one shot on target before being replaced in the 78th minute.

Joel Piroe endured a miserable night against Everton.

(Credit Imago)

And given that Nmecha scored the winner and ultimately stole the show, it appears likely that Piroe will be relegated to a back-up role sooner rather than later.

Jaka Bijol & Sebastiaan Bornauw

Forced to miss out on making his debut thanks to a red card picked up during his time at Udinese the new man was in the stands.

Bijol was signed by Leeds to add top-flight experience to their backline, but the Slovenia international was forced to watch on as Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon dominated Beto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Sebastiaan Bornauw was an unused substitute against Everton, and both defenders will struggle to break up the existing partnership at the back if the current duo maintain the leve they showed against the Toffees.

Left-wingers

Wilfried Gnonto started brightly but his only moment of significance in the second half came when the fourth official raised his board with the Italian’s number on it to indicate he was leaving the pitch.

The former Inter man was replaced by Brendan Aaronson, who somehow managed to be even less effective than the Italian winger.

Manor Solomon’s 2024/25 stats in the Championship with Leeds.

(Credit: Imago)

Without Manor Solomon, the left wing is looking particularly light on options for Farke, and it would be no surprise to see the German manager push for Leeds to add another option there before the window closes.

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