Jesse Marsch has told BT Sport – as quoted on BBC Sport – that Everton were guilty of “terrible” time-wasting during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds, suggesting Frank Lampard’s men tried to take the sting out of the Elland Road crowd.
The two sides played out an enthralling 1-1 draw at Elland Road, in a match that has gained a degree of rivalry over the past 12 months. Anthony Gordon, who continues to be linked with Chelsea, scored his second goal in two games.
A neat pass from Alex Iwobi tangled Diego Llorente, and Gordon was on hand to tuck the ball under Illan Meslier. But Leeds came roaring back in the second 45, showing much more intensity. Luis Sinisterra made it 1-1, from distance.
But Everton were certainly guilty of taking their time when the ball was out of play throughout the match. Even Marsch pointed towards his watch when Jordan Pickford took his time over a goal kick. He said the time-wasting was “terrible”.
“Yeah that [time-wasting] was terrible. It is classic. For me, you can see when the players of Everton are kicking the ball away in the first minute of the game. It is clear they want to take the energy out of Elland Road.
“This is an entertainment business and I wish the referee had handled that bit a little better. After it was 1-1 it became entertaining, but it was too late. The referee had the chance to affect the game and did not take advantage of that.”
Marsch: Everton time-wasting ‘terrible’ during 1-1 draw with Leeds
There are two schools of thought with this. Either, it was, as Marsch claims, “terrible”. Or, it is clever – even if unsportsmanlike from Everton and Lampard. Ultimately, it did take the sting out of Leeds in the first half.
They were lethargic, and the tempo was not what Leeds fans have already become accustomed to under Marsch. But that completely changed in the second 45 – Leeds were in the faces of Everton. Literally, if you are Rasmus Kristensen.
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