A cross from Dan James was met by Piroe but O’Brien scrambled it away. The first quarter of the match had passed with Everton not getting a touch in the Leeds box. That finally changes in the 29th minute when Alcaraz broke into the box but the Leeds keeper was there to snuff out the chance.

Leeds United, buoyed by the explosive Elland Road crowd, pinned Everton inside their own half for virtually the entire first 45 minutes, with the hosts taking 12 shots while preventing the Toffees from having any of their own, leaving the hosts extremely unfortunate to still be level at the break.