Everton produced the perfect away performance that included some resolute defending to continue a fine run of form as they beat Leicester 2-0 on Wednesday at the King Power Stadium coming on the heels of their victory over Chelsea on Saturday to sound an early warning of their top-four credentials.
Midfielder Youri Tielemans’ second minute low effort from the edge of the box was as good as it got for Leicester, who did little to trouble Everton’s organised defence.
The latter presented a more composed threat and deservedly broke the deadlock in the 21st minute. Forward Richarlison advanced towards goal from an Alex Iwobi pass on the left, switched inside and fired low from 20 meters which goalie Kasper Schmeichel could only help into the bottom corner.
Jamie Vardy could have made more of his club-record 223rd appearance in the Premier League for Leicester but he headed straight at Everton goalkeeper Robin Olsen, picked ahead of Jordan Pickford.
Everton doubled their lead in the 71st minute when a flurry of attacks came Kaspar Schmeichel’s way in goal for Leicester. The keeper brilliantly stopped Michael Keane’s glancing header and turned Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s effort onto the crossbar. But, he failed to stop Holgate, who converted the rebound from close range.
The chance for Leicester to have something to earn from the tie came when referee Lee Mason awarded a spot kick to the hosts only to later decide, after viewing the pitchside monitor, that attacker Ayoze Perez had dived when he tumbled under a challenge by midfielder Andre Gomes. The chance never materialised.
This is Leicester’s fourth loss in seven league home games, and results like Wednesday’s clearly threaten to undermine their own top-four chances. They did dominate in possession but could not break down a stubborn Everton side that moved to within a point of the hosts, who themselves dropped to fourth place.
Everton’s next fixture is on Saturday at home against Arsenal. Leicester travel to London to face Tottenham Hotspur the following day.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
