Leeds United manager Daniel Farke spoke to the media following his side’s 1-1 draw with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium
11:29, 27 Jan 2026Updated 12:29, 27 Jan 2026
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke believes Dominic Calvert-Lewin should have finished off his former side before Everton came back in the second half to secure a 1-1 draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Calvert-Lewin, who is the Blues’ third top scorer in the Premier League, returned to face his previous employers for the first time.
The Sheffield-born player netted 57 times for Everton but after goal returns of five, two, eight and three in has final four seasons at the club, he returned to his native Yorkshire last summer after his contract expired. The 28-year-old has struck nine times for Leeds so far this term but failed to register against David Moyes’ men when the visitors were on top in the first half.
Asked whether he felt Everton’s comeback was on the cards, Farke said: “Yes, I fully expected it. Overall, it was a really good result for us here on the road after an impressive result for Everton in their last game against a top side (Aston Villa).
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“The first half was outstanding, one of the best away performances we’ve shown. We were very dominant and did not allow any chances.
“It was a bit unlucky that we couldn’t capitalise on it more. There were so many situations where we couldn’t just play the final pass or been a bit tidier.
“We had so many chances. Dominic probably had the best chance and should have scored with an opportunity to bury them.
“Everton are a top side and a well-managed side. They have so much quality on the bench to throw into it and it was clear at some point in the second half they would show up.”
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The German added: “They had more possession in the second half and were more dominant, but I still got the feeling that we were controlling the game. We didn’t allow too many chances and before the goal, Karl (Darlow) had one good save and then after the goal there was one against the crossbar.
“Apart from this, it was more or less just the goal. In this situation, we could have defended a bit sharper, first with the cross in and then with the situation in the centre.
“I also liked the reaction of my lads in the last 10 minutes we got the momentum a bit more on our side and had several corner-kicks and set-piece situations for us plus good counter attacks as well.
“I haven’t checked the stats, but my gut feeling is that while Everton had more possession in the second half, the feeling was that we should be there with more expected goals, more shots and more big chances missed than them. We could have won this game but it wasn’t to be, so we have to respect their quality as it’s a tough place and we take a point and move on.”
Leeds are currently looking into the possibility of developing their Elland Road ground, which is similar in size and design to Goodison Park. While Farke was bowled over by Everton’s new home by the banks of the Mersey, he prefers to leave the technical details to experts.
He said: “I think overall, the stadium is very impressive. In the second half, when there were times they were on top of the game and equalised, it was a great, great atmosphere.
“In general, I don’t want to be involved in discussions about the stadium and what other clubs are doing because I’m too respectful of this to give my opinion, I’m too far away. For us, at Leeds, the task will be to keep the tradition and the history of the stadium and keep the special, second to none atmosphere at Elland Road while also, on the other hand, making sure it is state of the art and very modern stadium.
“This balance is important, to value the history and not change anything in terms of the noise and the mood and everything. Also, we need to make sure it’s not dated, but ready for the future, this is the key task for our people who are responsible.
“I’m not the builder of the stadium. This is for more important people on this topic, and for that, I don’t want to comment.”
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