Leeds United marked their return to the Premier League in dramatic fashion, clinching a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton at a thunderous Elland Road.

The win, however, came from a highly contested late penalty, sparking debate and leaving Everton’s players and manager furious.

The match, which appeared to be heading for a goalless stalemate, was turned on its head in the 84th minute. A shot from Leeds’ Anton Stach was blocked by Everton defender James Tarkowski, who was subsequently judged to have handled the ball. The decision, which Tarkowski himself called “bizarre,” was upheld by VAR despite his arm being in what he considered a natural position.

Just six minutes after coming on for his debut, new signing Lukas Nmecha stepped up to take the spot-kick. With the pressure of the moment and the roar of the crowd, the German international showed incredible composure, calmly slotting the ball past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

While Leeds’ manager Daniel Farke acknowledged the controversy, he praised his team’s performance, especially their dominant first half where they had 12 shots on goal. “For a newly-promoted side it (Elland Road) has to become a fortress,” Farke said, celebrating the hard-fought win and the joy it brought to the home supporters.

This victory is significant for Leeds as they aim to break the recent trend of promoted clubs being relegated immediately. The win, coupled with Sunderland’s 3-0 victory over West Ham, marks only the third time in Premier League history that two of the three promoted sides have won on the opening weekend.

Everton, who handed a second-half debut to Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish, will be left to rue their lack of attacking threat and the costly penalty decision. Tarkowski summed up the feeling of the away side, stating, “It’s not a penalty… A bizarre moment and it cost us the point in the end.”