Credit: Imago/Sky Sports
Wed 3 September 2025 10:32, UK
Howard Webb has finally broken his silence on the moment of controversy in Leeds United’s win over Everton in the Premier League.
While a lot of focus will be on Leeds’ failed end to the summer window, there are still plenty of talking points to find from their first three games back in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke’s men have accumulated four points from a possible nine, though they have also only scored one goal throughout that period.
That arrived in Leeds United’s 1-0 win over Everton at the start of the season, which arrived in controversial circumstances.
Credit: ImagoLeeds right to be awarded penalty vs Everton
Given the fact that Leeds do not have a set-piece coach, there’s some irony to be found in the fact that their only goal has arrived from a set-piece.
Lukas Nmecha’s penalty saw Leeds take all three points against Everton, after James Tarkowski was deemed to have handled the ball inside his own penalty area.
The on-field decision was a penalty kick, wth VAR clearing the decision not long after, to the surprise of some who were watching.
However, when reviewing the decision on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Howard Webb did not see how there was any question to be asked.
He said: “I know there was quite a bit of debate about this one. That debate surprised me.
“I see this as a very clear handball, when a player leans into the path of the ball and blocks the ball with their arm, that is a penalty kick.”
Credit: Hasan KarimLack of goals is a big concern for Leeds
To have only scored one goal from the opening three games is a concern that Farke will have to deal with for a while, given the fact that Leeds failed to bring in any new attackers at the end of the transfer window.
Having said that, though, they have been against well-established, tough sides in Everton, Arsenal and Newcastle, with four points a solid effort.
How the newly-promoted sides have fared after three games.
- Sunderland goals scored this season – Five (One penalty)
- Burnley goals scored this season – Four
- Leeds goals scored this season – One (One penalty)
The 49ers seemed intent on aiding Rangers’ survival, without providing Leeds with the tools needed to survive in the Premier League.
Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have a lot of pressure on their shoulders to rectify these concerns, which could well linger until the winter transfer window.
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