Leeds’ summer signing Gabriel Gudmundsson said the Elland Road “wow” factor helped his side make a winning return to the Premier League.
Lukas Nmecha’s contentious late penalty sealed Leeds’ deserved 1-0 victory against Everton in their first game back in the top flight after a two-year absence. The atmosphere at LS11 reached fever pitch and Sweden left-back Gudmundsson, signed for a reported £10million from Lille in July, acknowledged the fans will be key to their survival chances.
Gudmundsson wowed by Elland Road noise
Gudmundsson told LUTV after an impressive debut: “Wow! I really enjoyed that one, I can tell you that.
“We have to have this atmosphere. It was amazing. It was so good and we need them to push us.
“It does make a difference. Obviously, you’re focused on the game, but you know, hearing the crowd shouting and singing is really nice.
“It adds a small percentage – to work and run and fight even more, so they need to keep doing that.
“In the Premier League we’re going to suffer, but we have to suffer together.”
Gudmundsson said three points in their opener was crucial for Leeds, whose next two league fixtures are at Arsenal and against Newcastle before the first international break in September.
“It was the first game and was really important to start well,” the 26-year-old left-back added. “We know what it means to get three points.
“We know that we have two upcoming games that are going to be really tough.”
Leeds vs Everton ratings supplied by Sofascore
Leeds are waiting to learn the full extent of Ethan Ampadu’s injury after a clattering late second-half challenge by Tim Iroegbunam eventually saw their captain forced off, but one thing they know for certain is they have a budding superstar in Gudmundsson, who was one of the best performers on the night.
The former Lille star covered over 10 kilometers on the night, recording one of the highest Sofascore ratings on the pitch thanks to four clearances, two interceptions, four successful dribbles and two successful crosses.
Everton boss David Moyes was furious at referee Chris Kavanagh’s penalty decision, upheld by VAR, after James Tarkowski was adjudged to have handled after leaning into Anton Stach’s deflected shot.
But Everton carried little threat and Daniel Farke will know his team can stay up if they can make life as miserable for every other visitor as they did for the Toffees, while the boss will soon have a new weapon to utilise after Leeds agreed a deal to sign AC Milan stiker Noah Okafor.