Leeds United marked their 'magical' return to the Premier League with some fittingly late, last-gasp action in a tense opening fixture that ended with a goal by debutant Lukas Nmecha.
More importantly, his contribution off the bench echoes an old fan favourite (albeit eventual villain to many) that could signal things to come.
After all, football has a funny way of drawing parallels even decades on...
In case you didn't see the dramatic tail end of the game, here is what happened:
While Everton defender James Tarkowski was left clearly aggrieved by the somewhat 'soft' penalty decision, to quote the pundits analysing on the night, not to mention Leeds being slightly fortunate, the spot-kick still proved to be enough.
As you can see, Nmecha has barely covered a blade of grass before he was eventually called upon to take the decisive shot, burying it into the bottom right-hand corner.
But arguably the most exciting part about the German-born attacker's instant impact is that he became the first Leeds player to score on their debut as a substitute since ex-striker Alan Smith.
Despite eventually ruffling feathers by making a then-all-too-familiar move to long-standing rivals Manchester United, plenty of supporters still look back on Smith's time at Elland Road with fondness.
His winning goal in the 3-1 victory over Liverpool away at Anfield way back in 1998 certainly remains a very happy memory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rUsZabXX6I
He went from super sub to a £7m Man United signing in 2004 - big money back then.
It took Nmecha just two more minutes and about the same number of touches as it did Alan Smith to score his first Leeds goal, and the latter went on to score 53 more, as well as register 18 assists.
The Whites will be hoping for similar numbers or perhaps even better from the one-time Man City youth product and former Wolfsburg forward, who arrived as a free transfer this summer.
Speaking in his post-match interview after the full-time whistle, Nmecha did himself even more early favours by giving off all the right signals to Sky Sports' David Jones.
"We have amazing fans", said the 26-year-old, "It was very loud in here, electric, I don’t think I’ve felt something like this before."
It will be interesting to see whether he competes for a starting spot ahead of Joël Piroe (the penalty-taker he replaced on Monday night) or, indeed, Leeds' other new signing up at the top of the pitch.
A Leeds pub has been crowned one of the very best in the country by The Good Food Guide.
The trusted guide has just released its 100 Best Pubs in Britain list, and we're very chuffed with the results indeed.
Taking the coveted number three spot is our very own The Highland Laddie, a 100-year-old city centre institution that reopened in April 2025 in the hands of new owners Sam Pullan and Nicole Deighton.
These guys also run the Empire Cafe, so you just know it's going to be good.
Last year they soared straight to the top of the list and were crowned the best pub in the whole of Britain by the guide.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This time, the Queen's Arms over in Eccles came number one followed by The Cow in Notting Hill.
We still think bagging third place is quite the achievement, and if you've visited The Highland Laddie yourself you'll know just how much of a special place it is.
Don't just take our word for it, The Good Food Guide labelled the Laddie as 'a true pub with a genuine community vibe'.
They also said: "Reenergised by the team behind the Empire Cafe in 2025, this is everything that a proper English pub should be – 'oh, and they have a mustard menu!'
"Inside, the Laddie ticks all the boxes, preserving the essentials of a traditional old-school boozer and maintaining a genuine sense of community while letting the good times roll. As for the food, it’s ‘both high-end and accessible’, pulling in ideas from all over, whether you fancy a freshly shucked Lindisfarne oyster, a keema toastie or an elevated ham roll with bread cooked over the coals.
"Dig deeper and you might find a lobster madeleine with Yorkshire chorizo butter, a treacle onion tart or pork schnitzel with two fried eggs. Club steaks are served by the inch, there’s no creative let-up when it comes to sides, and the nostalgia is ramped up with the likes of strawberry and Champagne trifle with ‘sprinkles’.
"But never forget that this is a self-proclaimed ‘drinkers’ pub’ dispensing everything from ‘properly served’ British brews and ’the best Guinness in Leeds’ to a staggering line-up of whisky optics."
Popular egg sandwich shop Egg & Co is opening in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
This much loved breakfast spot do one thing and one thing very well...egg sandwiches.
And it may be a familiar name to some of you lot, as Egg & Co recently opened up on bustling Deansgate in Manchester as well as inside Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield.
This will be their first site in Leeds, though, and we're very 'eggsited' about it...sorry.
If you've got been introduced to the wonders of Egg & Co yet, then allow us to fill you in on what to expect.
Images: The Manc Group
From here, you’ll be able to grab their unbeatable breakfast sandwiches, where soft scrambled egg is piled into warm brioche buns.
There are a dozen or so breakfast butties on the menu here (yes, they do all feature egg), with other fillings ranging from beef patties to turkey bacon to caramelised onion.
And there’s more – sides here include truffle hash browns, curly fries, and chicken bites.
Of course it wouldn't be a breakfast spot without some caffeinated beverages as well, so we predict as with their Manchester site you'll be able to grab your morning coffee and matcha as well as freshly squeezed orange juice fresh enough to cure any hangover.
We don't know of the exact location yet, but we do know it'll be in Leeds city centre.
Images: The Manc Group
Teasing the news on their Instagram, Egg & Co said: "LEEDS, WE’RE ON OUR WAY. You heard it right. Eggandco is heading to Leeds!
"Same eggs. Same fresh sandwiches. Same Eggandco experience. Just a new city to call home."
Of course, in true Leeds fashion, supporters flocked to the comments to show their excitement and demanding an extra clue on the exact location.
Egg & Co are keeping this under wraps for now, but we'll keep you updated as and when we know more.
Danny Jones -
19th August 2025 
