Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi said the Toffees will need to match Leeds United’s ‘fighting spirit’ if they are to get a result against the Whites today as they bid to turn their fortune in their fifth match of the season.
Leeds welcome winless Everton to Elland Road for their fifth league game of the season.
The Whites have won all three of their games at home this term across all competition, but they are going into the match off the back of a 1-0 defeat at Brighton.
Everton took four points off Leeds last season, drawing 2-2 in Yorkshire last August before the Whites suffered a 3-0 defeat at Goodison Park in what was one of Marcelo Bielsa’s last games as Leeds boss. Those points proved crucial in Everton’s bid to avoid relegation, as both clubs narrowly avoided dropping out of the Premier League last season.
Everton have picked up just two points so far this season, and Iwobi believed his team-mates will need to match Leeds’ high-intensity to pick up a result.
“We have to match their energy and match their fighting spirit,” Iwobi told Everton’s club website. “We’ve shown that in every game so far.
“It’s not going to be easy playing away because their fans will be on them to give them that motivation, but it’s another away challenge for us.”
It promises to be a sizzling atmosphere under the lights at Elland Road, particularly as Leeds have started the season in impressive fashion. While some visiting player may crumble in that sort of environment, Iwobi believed he will thrive in the atmosphere.
“I enjoy playing under that pressure, it gives me that energy and belief to try and keep them quiet as much as we can,” he said. “It’ll be another challenge to try and get the three points. It won’t be easy, but all you can do is try.”