Gordon gets on scoresheet in feisty draw at Elland Road

Chelsea-linked Anthony Gordon opened the scoring as Everton played out an enthralling draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.

Gordon’s smart finish made it 1-0 to the Toffees at the break but they were made to settle for a point as Luis Sinisterra equalised for Leeds.

This result keeps the hosts in fifth while Everton are now out of the bottom three. Frank Lampard’s side are now without a league win in five games, though.

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Everton weathered the inevitable early storm without conceding any clear-cut chances.

Leeds’ crisp and accurate build-up play petered out on the edge of Everton’s penalty area and the visitors snatched the lead against the run of play with their first meaningful attack in the 17th minute.

Alex Iwobi picked out Gordon’s darting run with an incisive through-ball, which caught the Leeds defence flat-footed, and the latter raced in to fire a low shot under goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

It was the Everton winger’s second goal in successive matches and credit to the 21-year-old’s temperament amid intense speculation over a possible move to Chelsea.

Jack Harrison’s excellent ball across the face of goal just evaded Rodrigo, who headed Brenden Aaronson’s cross from the opposite wing soon after off target, as Leeds pressed forward again.

Rodrigo, and Leeds, were then dealt a blow in the 30th minute when the Spaniard was withdrawn after appearing to injure his shoulder in a challenge with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Joe Gelhardt replaced Rodrigo despite the return to the bench of Patrick Bamford after a groin injury and Leeds continued to chase an equaliser.

For all Leeds’ pressure, Pickford did not have a save to make before half-time, but the England keeper was forced into action within 60 seconds of the restart.

He turned away Aaronson’s curling goal-bound shot and comfortably held Harrison’s low effort as Leeds swarmed forward.

But Pickford was left helpless in the 57th minute when Leeds drew level.

Gelhardt set Aaronson scampering goal-wards and his pass wide found Sinisterra, who fired a low left-footed shot inside a motionless Pickford’s left-hand post.

Tempers then boiled over, on the pitch and in the dug-outs. Gordon and Kristensen leant in with their foreheads and the subsequent melee was mirrored on the touchline after words had been exchanged between rival coaching staff.

Everton thought they had regained the…