'We threw everything at it' - Liam Cooper makes Elland Road admission after frustrating Everton defeat

The Whites fell to defeat at Elland Road.
Leeds United fell to a 2-1 defeat to Everton. Pic: Tony JohnsonLeeds United fell to a 2-1 defeat to Everton. Pic: Tony Johnson
Leeds United fell to a 2-1 defeat to Everton. Pic: Tony Johnson

Liam Cooper says Leeds United threw everything they could at Everton during the Whites 2-1 Premier League defeat at Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa saw his side fall to a narrow loss to the Toffees in LS11 on Wednesday evening under the lights in the top flight.

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Goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the visitors in control at the interval as United conceded again from a set-piece.

Leeds, though, sparked into life after a lacklustre first half with winger Raphinha finding the back of the net just three minutes into the second period.

The hosts pressed and asked questions of Carlo Ancelotti's men, forcing goalkeeper Robin Olsen into a number of saves to keep his side in front.

Despite constant pressure, Everton held on for all three points with Leeds left frustrated at the final whistle to not take at least a point.

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"The boys are disappointed in there," Cooper reflected post-match.

"I thought we did enough in the second half to draw the game. We just didn't take our chances when they came.

"We gave the ball away sloppy in the first half against a team who is set up to counter, so you make it hard for yourself if you do go behind and we did that.

"We have to dust ourselves down and go again now.

"I've just said to the lads that if we're going to lose then that is the way we have to lose - by slinging everything at it and giving everything you've got. The boys did that tonight."

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Asked about the club's home form after winning just three out of 10 games at Elland Road this term, he said: "We're missing our fans. We know we can't have them but we're missing them a lot.

"This place is completely different when it is full to the rafters.

"We've got to get a lot more consistency at home. We'll look to do that. The games come thick and fast.

"We usually bounce back from defeats so hopefully we can do that."