Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin highlights important factor in beating Leeds United and casts verdict on Elland Road pitch

DOMINIC Calvert-Lewin admitted Everton had been given a tough game by Wednesday's hosts Leeds United and hailed the importance of the Toffees netting first in their 2-1 triumph.
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Carlo Ancelotti's side took a ninth-minute lead when Gylfi Sigurdsson converted Lucas Digne's cross and Calvert-Lewin put Everton 2-0 up when heading home from a corner four minutes before the break.

Leeds then came storming back and pulled a goal back three minutes after the break through Raphinha but Everton held on to take away all three points.

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"It was very tough," said Calvert-Lewin, speaking to BT Sport.

CRUCIAL: Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates his header that put Everton 2-0 up in Wednesday's clash against Leeds United at Elland Road. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images.CRUCIAL: Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates his header that put Everton 2-0 up in Wednesday's clash against Leeds United at Elland Road. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images.
CRUCIAL: Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates his header that put Everton 2-0 up in Wednesday's clash against Leeds United at Elland Road. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images.

"I think everyone knows the way that they play, it's man marking, it's very high tempo so we were prepared for that.

"I thought we started the game very well. We knew what we had to and it's very important that you get the first goal against them and we did.

"We let them back in, in the second half but we have done well I think to a man to see it through."

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The contest also marked the first game on United's new recently laid temporary hybrid pitch and several players lost their footing in wet conditions.

"It was slippy!" said Calvert-Lewin.

"I think you have seen a lot of the lads slipping.

"I've got metal studs on but there's nothing you can do sometimes so it's just about trying to stay on your feet as best as you can."

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Thank you Laura Collins