Leeds United’s attempt to record back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season was thwarted as they were denied victory in a lively encounter at Everton.
Daniel Farke’s side’s improved form since the start of December has made them much more difficult to beat, though victories have largely been difficult to come by.
Before beating Fulham in their last outing, Leeds had only lost one of their previous eight in the league — but there had also only been two wins in that run.
Buoyed by their stoppage-time winner against Fulham, Leeds were excellent from the start at Hill Dickinson Stadium and seemed to be on course for a valuable three points when James Justin converted at the back post after 28 minutes.
But Everton improved significantly after the break and eventually equalised when Thierno Barry turned the ball in from close range with 14 minutes left.
The result means Leeds are six points clear of the relegation zone.
Beren Cross analyses the main talking points.
Is Justin proving his worth?
Justin did not start in the Premier League for Leeds until November 29. He was the last signing of the summer transfer window and arrived for a modest £10million ($13.7m) to be the chief back-up in both full-back positions.
Expectations were low for a reserve full-back, but Justin has turned more than a few heads in recent weeks. As he did at Everton on Monday, he played as the left wing-back in that full league debut at Manchester City in late November.
He had begun that game in Farke’s preferred 4-3-3 as the left-back, covering for a rested Gabriel Gudmundsson, but moved forward at the break in that much-discussed formation change. He more than played his part in that fightback at Etihad Stadium, but had to wait until New Year’s Day for his second league start.
He covered for Jayden Bogle for three league games, was excellent down the right, then moved inside to cover for Jaka Bijol in the win against Fulham, again very effective as a centre-back. At Everton, in a fifth consecutive league start, he was back on the left and this time scored a big goal at the back post in the first half.
Justin has been as versatile as he is reliable, defying the role many of us expected him to have in the summer. This was another significant impact from the one-cap England international.
How did Calvert-Lewin do on his return to Everton?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will wonder how he did not score in Monday’s first half. He almost could not believe he had the time and space he was gifted when he nearly faced Jordan Pickford in a one vs one. He was to get far closer, though.
As he beat the defence to a near-post cross, Pickford was rooted to the spot and Calvert-Lewin stuck a foot out. The ball pinged off the post and, as he turned around beyond the byline, he had a wry grin which said it all. It was so nearly the storybook return to Merseyside he craved.
The No 9 was fairly anonymous in the second half as Everton changed shape and personnel, growing far more dangerous as a result. As expected, he battled with his old mate James Tarkowski all night, winning some duels and losing some, too.
A section of Everton fans booed him as he mistakenly came off to be substituted, only to be told by the backroom staff he was staying on. The natives will be relieved he did not get a goal, but he will be happy to take a point back to West Yorkshire.
What does this result mean for Leeds?
It was the weekend Nottingham Forest and West Ham United turned the screw, with Leeds having to wait until Monday night for their response. Their first half in this game was almost perfect, save for the fact they should have scored at least one, maybe two, more goals than they did.
Seeing out their 1-0 lead would have delivered the perfect answer after those wins from their relegation rivals, but a draw on the road is never a bad result. It is now one defeat in 10 league games for Leeds, who are six points clear of danger and only four from 12th place.
The first half did follow a familiar routine, with Farke’s men playing well but not rewarding themselves with the goals their play deserved. That was the feeling at half-time here, as they left with a 1-0 lead and the post still shaking from Calvert-Lewin’s effort.
The second half was perhaps more like we would expect from an away side. Everton paid Leeds the compliment of matching their formation and immediately looked more dangerous for it.
The one question which lingers is whether Farke could have acted earlier in the second period with his substitutions to turn the tide.
What next for Leeds?
Saturday, January 31: Arsenal (Home), Premier League, 3pm UK, 10am ET