Everton midfielder Allan believes the intensity of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United makes them such a daunting opponent for Premier League teams, speaking to the Toffees’ official website.
For the first time since August 1990, the West Yorkshire giants ventured across the Pennines and took home three points from Goodison Park.
And they deserved it too.
While Everton had their fair share of chances last Saturday, Bielsa’s perpetual-motion machine ran Carlo Ancelotti’s team ragged on their own soil with Raphinha’s laser-guided rocket a deserved, 79th minute winner.
Allan, the £21 million summer signing from Napoli, was one of the few Everton players who impressed last weekend but even he struggled to exert his usual influence on proceedings up against the divisions’ most hard-working team.
“Leeds was a really interesting game but, of course, the result wasn’t good,” the Brazil international admits.
“They play in a different style from other teams, so it was a really intense game. Both teams created a lot of chances and it ended with them converting one and us losing.
“But we came out of that game with a lot of belief, thinking that if we carry on with the same determination and playing the same way we can have a great season.”
After winning all of their opening four matches, Everton have tasted success in just one of their last six while slipping to eighth in the table.
Though a trip to Sean Dyche’s struggling Burnley on Saturday lunchtime represents a fine opportunity to get back to winning ways.
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