Micah Richards suggests advantage Leeds may have over Everton

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Micah Richards has suggested to The Monday Night Club that Leeds United’s supporters may have a major impact in their battle with the likes of Everton to beat the drop in the Premier League.

Leeds look in a better position following their dramatic win over Norwich City on Sunday. Joe Gelhardt scored their 94th minute winner to send Elland Road into a frenzy.

In many respects, the stoppage-time winner may have a bigger impact on their season than if they had blown the Canaries away 4-0 with all of the first-half chances they had.

They experienced that feeling of despair that relegation was almost a certainty after Norwich equalised in the 91st minute. And that was immediately followed by the jubilation of scoring a goal that may prove pivotal in the fight to avoid relegation.

Everton meanwhile, look to be in more serious trouble. Their form since September has been awful. In fact, they have only won two league games since then. They have lost their last four, without scoring.

And there was certainly a feeling of dejection after their 1-0 loss to Wolves on Sunday. Undoubtedly, there had been a huge shift from the remarkable atmosphere that inspired them to a 3-0 thrashing of Leeds in February.

And Richards has hinted that the way that the Leeds crowd have stuck with their side could make a big difference as they battle to stay in the Premier League.

‘One of the best out there’

“Don’t forget Leeds have just got a new manager, yes they lost a couple of games and got unlucky in the first game they lost 1-0, and have a young Gelhardt who came in. Leeds fans regardless of where they have been, they have come up,” he told The Monday Night Club.

“Their expectation is lower than Everton, even though it’s a massive club. I think we all thought Leeds would stay up, especially with Bielsa and they had key injuries, but if you go to Elland Road regardless of the result it’s always been rocking. Even in League One! Leeds support is one of the best out there, so no matter until the end, Leeds support will always be there.

“Towards the end of Bielsa there was a few groans, but not the majority of fans and they were going to fight until the end.

“Yes, and that comes down to expectation, that’s the difference with Everton. It’s about belief. At the moment with Everton now you just don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Upcoming fixtures look huge for both Leeds and Everton

On Thursday, Everton face Newcastle at Goodison Park. The following day, Leeds travel to Wolves. And clearly, those games could have massive implications.

It is well-documented that Everton have a daunting run of games left. So beating the Magpies will look like a must to many, particularly given that they are at home.

Leeds will not want to throw away the momentum they emerged from Sunday with. Any kind of positive result will feel like another step in the right direction for Jesse Marsch’s men.

The shine will certainly come off Gelhardt’s goal at the weekend should Leeds now fail to go on and keep themselves in the top-flight.