'It's a really, really good team' - Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti heaps praise on Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti says Leeds United are not just a 'dynamic' team but a 'really, really good' one.
CLEAR IDEA - Leeds United are by now well versed in their man marking system and attacking philosophy, brought in by head coach Marcelo Bielsa and impressed Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park. Mateusz Klich is pictured chasing Everton's James Roriguez. Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe.CLEAR IDEA - Leeds United are by now well versed in their man marking system and attacking philosophy, brought in by head coach Marcelo Bielsa and impressed Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park. Mateusz Klich is pictured chasing Everton's James Roriguez. Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe.
CLEAR IDEA - Leeds United are by now well versed in their man marking system and attacking philosophy, brought in by head coach Marcelo Bielsa and impressed Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park. Mateusz Klich is pictured chasing Everton's James Roriguez. Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe.

The Italian watched Marcelo Bielsa's Whites create a host of chances against his Everton side at Goodison on Saturday before Raphinha's 79th minute winner saw the points head back down the M62.

Leeds mustered 23 shots, six of which were on target, forcing Jordan Pickford to produce a fine performance in goal to prevent a high-scoring affair.

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Everton themselves had 15 efforts and found Illan Meslier in top form in the Leeds' goal, as the two teams produced a thrilling encounter.

Ancelotti's men have lost four of their last five now, but he remained upbeat because he believes Everton's current direction of travel is the right one. They simply require everyone to contribute a little more.

"I think we are heading in the right direction," he said.

"We lost some players but that doesn't mean we are not in the right direction. What we are doing in this moment is not enough, everyone has to put a little bit more in, spirit, sacrifice, personality to have more consistency in the results."

The visitors moved onto 14 points from 10 games and sit 11th in the Premier League table after the win, two points behind the sixth-placed Toffees.

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They have retained the same swashbuckling style of football that saw them romp to the Championship title last season, despite a step up in competition, and have created chances against every team they have faced, including the reigning champions Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal.

Ancelotti is impressed with what Marcelo Bielsa has done at Elland Road.

"They play really well, they're a dynamic team, we knew this," said the former Milan, PSG, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich manager.

"They have a clear idea of football, create a lot of problems for teams they played against, Arsenal, Liverpool they lost 4-3.

"It's a really, really good team."

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