Topics: Leeds United, Everton, Premier League
Leeds United booed their own player during their first game back in the Premier League - ironically against his former side Everton.
Elland Road played host to the final game of the first matchday of the season, where Leeds kicked off with a 1-0 win thanks to a Lukas Nmecha penalty on his debut.
There was a raucous atmosphere created by the Leeds fans as they cheered on Daniel Farke's men, who were promoted after winning the Championship last season.
However, not all players were well-received by the home fans. Jack Harrison has found himself back with the Yorkshire outfit after spending the last two seasons on loan at Everton, who did not purchase him permanently.
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He was jeered when he came on in pre-season friendlies against Manchester United and AC Milan and received a similarly hostile reception more than a week on - both when warming up on the touchline and then when he entered the fray part of a triple substitution in the 74th minute.
Although he scored the goal that kept them up in 2022, Leeds fans are still not happy with Harrison for not playing for them when they were relegation the following season.
The 28-year-old is trying to get in their good graces however, as he visited The Moot Hall Arms pub and left a sizeable donation so that supporters could have a free drink on him prior to their first game of the season.
Harrison lined up on the left and though the home fans got behind their team, there were still audible jeers whenever he touched the ball.
He joined Leeds on loan from Manchester City and 2018 and his cameo on Monday evening was his 207th in all competitions.
When Harrison was subjected to boos against Milan, he still clapped the fans afterwards and Farke gave an honest answer about his treatment - hoping that Harrison will win over the fans again and praising his attitude.
"It was expected with his first outing in front of such a large amount of Leeds supporters," Farke said.
"Our supporters have the right to have an opinion and it was challenging for our supporters with his decisions.
"But I also liked the reaction of the others, who clapped whenever he touched the ball. It’s still up to Jack to win everyone over - to show commitment, to show desire and be brave and this is the best way. He has presented himself within the group as a top character and he has all the chances to win our supporters back.
"You could feel that he’s won a few back already because after the boos, others were clapping. Jack has all the chances to prove that he can play an important role for us in the upcoming season."
