Leicester miss chance to jump to second place after being held by Everton

Image – PA Media

Leicester City stretched their unbeaten run to nine games as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park, after Jordan Pickford fumbled Youri Tielemans’ second half effort into the back of the net.  

James Rodriguez put the Toffee’s 1-0 up on the half hour mark with a fine finish. The Columbian pounced on a poor clearance from Wesley Fofana, opened up his body and curled a right footed effort in off the post. There was no chance for Kasper Schmeichel who was stood rooted to the spot to watch the ball go by him.  

This goal came totally against the run of play, as Leicester were in control for most of the opening stages of the match. However, when there’s a superstar on the pitch like Rodriguez moments of magic can happen at any time.  

The Foxes continued to push after going behind, if it wasn’t for a mix of Pickford, and bad finishing from the away side, Everton could have found themselves behind ahead of the break. 

Worryingly, a few minutes before half time arguably Leicester’s most important player, Wilfred Ndidi, went down clutching the top of his leg. Any time this happens with the Nigerian powerhouse, City fans have their hearts in their mouth as he is so vital to the team and only last month he returned to the starting 11 after three months out with a groin injury.  

With plenty of English talent on show for both sides, Gareth Southgate (who was in attendance) would have been, for the most part, pleased with what he saw with Ben Godfrey in particular impressing for the home side.  

The 23-year-old, formerly a centre half in his Norwich and England U21 days, played both left and right back last night at different stages of the game and did an excellent job keeping Leicester’s tricky wingers at bay. 

Everton did struggle at times to counter the away side with a lack of power and work rate in the middle of the park. They struggled to break down Brendan Rodgers’ pivot of Tielemans and Papy Mendy. Missing Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure through injury Everton had to cope with a flat two-man central midfield of Tom Davis and Andre Gomes.  

With the Foxes manning the game coming into the last 20 minutes they needed something special to force an equaliser and up to the 67 minute mark it just wasn’t dropping for them when needed at the final ball.  

The home side were on the back foot at this stage, and Harvey Barnes found space on the edge of the box rolling the ball to Tielemans who opened up his body, striking a shot towards the goal, Pickford couldn’t handle it and the ball ended up slipping into the back of the net. It was what Leicester deserved though after countless attacks and relentless pressing.  

1-1, and that proved to be the final goal of the game, when really the away side should have taken all three points but for some crucial Everton defending.  

Brendan Rodgers speaking after the game was disappointed with the draw and said:  

“We should have gone on and won the game. That was maybe two points dropped for us, but they’re a good side. It’s a big credit to our players that they were able to open Everton up. We have good players with a good mentality and I thought overall we were excellent in the game.” 

However, on the other hand Carlo Ancelotti was happy with the draw and after the game he said:

“I’m happy with the draw. The result is fair. We had an opportunity to win at the end but the result is fair. It’s a good point for us.” 

Up next for both sides is Premier League action as Everton are at home once again as Newcastle United visit Goodison. Meanwhile Leicester are back at the King Power as Leeds United visit.

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