Toffees captain Seamus Coleman bagged the only goal of the game in the 64th minute when firing home from a tight angle near the right touchline after Whites keeper Illan Meslier had come off his line which left a big gap for Coleman to exploit.
Leeds were unable to respond and fell to a 12th defeat of the season that left the Whites in the relegation zone and second-bottom after Bournemouth’s 1-0 at Wolves on a day when rock-bottom Southampton also recorded a 1-0 triumph at Chelsea.
Leeds failed to register a single shot on target and had just four attempts on goal during the whole game. Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores from a worrying defeat at Goodison Park.
1. Illan Meslier
4 - Culpable for the goal and was lucky to get away with a dropped high ball in the first half. Kicking wasn't great at times. Photo: Lewis Storey
2. Luke Ayling
5 - Defended well enough. Solid at centre-back after the switch. Late bursts forward were something at least but the game was gone. Photo: Lewis Storey
3. Max Wober
4 - Gave the ball away too often, lost out in challenges. Might have still been feeling effects of early heavy landing. Photo: GEOFF CADDICK
4. Robin Koch
5 - Couldn't close Coleman down for the goal but the run into the channel did the damage. Some stout defending. Photo: Clive Brunskill
5. Junior Firpo
4 - Couldn't lock down his side, where the trouble for the goal started. A few errors in possession. Photo: Clive Brunskill
6. Tyler Adams
5 - No where near his usual standard. He and McKennie were being overrun in midfield and couldn't get control. Put a shift in, at least. Photo: Gareth Copley