Leicester City vs Everton. Premier League.
The King Power StadiumAttendance32,173.
Report and highlights as Leicester and Everton play out thrilling 2-2 draw; Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty put visitors ahead but hosts led at half-time thanks to Caglar Soyuncu and Jamie Vardy; James Maddison missed penalty and Alex Iwobi scored leveller; Leicester up to 16th, Everton 19th
Monday 1 May 2023 23:59, UK
James Maddison saw a penalty saved by his England team-mate Jordan Pickford as Leicester and Everton played out a thrilling 2-2 draw that leaves both sides mired in trouble at the bottom of the Premier League.
The teams entered the night in the relegation zone but any suggestion of nerves potentially reducing the game to a cagey affair were dispelled within minutes as they went blow for blow at the King Power Stadium.
Everton were the better side during the opening exchanges and took the lead within 15 minutes when Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted a penalty he won after being pushed in the back by Timothy Castagne.
But Leicester went into the break ahead thanks to Caglar Soyuncu's smart finish and Jamie Vardy's first home league goal of the season, with the striker taking advantage of Alex Iwobi's error and Maddison's classy through ball.
But Maddison's next notable contribution was less impressive, with the playmaker seeing his tame penalty saved by Pickford in first-half stoppage time, and he was made to pay shortly after half-time when Iwobi guided a half-volley past the impressive Daniel Iversen after being left unmarked at the far post.
The result moves Leicester up to 16th and out of the relegation zone on goal difference, while Everton remain 19th, one point from safety.
This crucial meeting between two sides scrapping for their Premier League survival began amid a raucous atmosphere in the East Midlands, with the Leicester supporters recognising the importance of Everton’s visit.
But Sean Dyche’s side - who were thrashed 4-1 at home by Newcastle in their previous outing - set about silencing the home fans with their positive early approach, and they would have led after eight minutes were it not for Iversen denying Iwobi with a stunning save.
But the Leicester goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Calvert-Lewin opening the scoring as he punished Castagne for his careless foul, with the Everton striker stroking his penalty into the net.
However, the Foxes showed impressive resolve to wrestle momentum from the Toffees, with Soyuncu converting a half-volley before Vardy rounded Pickford after Iwobi gifted possession to his opponents.
Vardy almost scored again when his clipped effort came off the bar moments after Calvert-Lewin produced one of the misses of the season, seeing his shot kicked away by Iversen despite being just yards out.
Seamus Coleman was then stretchered off after a late tackle by Boubakary Soumare, with Sean Dyche admitting his captain had seemingly suffered a "serious" knee injury.
Maddison then produced his own painful miss after Michael Keane was penalised for blocking Harvey Barnes’ cross with his arm, with Pickford standing tall and parrying the penalty away after the Leicester midfielder opted to strike down the middle - just as the instructions on the goalkeeper’s water bottle suggested he would.
Iversen more than matched his counterpart with a string of impressive saves but the Leicester stopper could do nothing to keep out Iwobi’s effort shortly after half-time.
A breathless second half somehow failed to produce anymore goals, with James Tarkowski blocking Vardy’s goal-bound effort on the line before the striker hit the side-netting with the goal gaping from outside the area after Pickford lost possession near the touchline.
Dean Smith described the result as a "missed opportunity" for Leicester and failed to confirm whether Maddison would remain on penalty duties.
"It's a little bit of a missed opportunity because we missed the penalty at 2-1, but also in the first half we were second best for long periods and didn't win enough second balls," the Leicester boss told Sky Sports.
"It became a basketball game and it played into their hands rather than ours. I wanted a game where we could have control and we didn't get that until a 25-minute spell in the second half."
Asked whether Maddison would continue to take spot-kicks, Smith said: "We'll see. I'll have a look in training in the week.
"Kelechi Iheanacho was on penalties at Manchester City and took one against Wolves. Madders was on it, we saw him practising.
"The goalkeeper has been brave to stand up to it in the middle of the goal. Unfortunate but I think it was a fair result given the chances we gave away.
"I thought Vardy looked like his old self and looked a threat in behind. He got his goal really well so really pleased that he's back scoring goals, which he does best."
With Leicester running out of games and facing up to the possibility of relegation to the Championship, there could be no better time for Jamie Vardy to rediscover his form in front of goal.
The 36-year-old netted his first Premier League strike in six months when he salvaged a draw for the Foxes at Leeds last week and his goal against Everton saw him score in back-to-back top-flight games for the first time since last May.
Vardy’s resurgence under Smith has seen him add to his impressive Premier League goals tally, which now stands at 136. The fact that only Harry Kane has scored more since the Leicester striker’s debut in the competition nine years ago shows his longevity at the top level.
With Kelechi Iheanacho likely out for the season and Patson Daka’s form being patchy, much rides on Vardy sustaining his output until the end of the season.
An individual expected goals total of 2.11 against Everton showed Vardy was a little wasteful but both he and his manager will be encouraged by the quality of chances that fell his way.
Even as he approached his late 30s, there were signs of vintage Vardy returning at the King Power - and not a minute too late for Leicester.
Sean Dyche praised his side for coming back to take a point against Leicester in their first game since collapsing against Newcastle at Goodison Park.
"It's a big improvement," the Everton manager told Sky Sports. "There was more consistency to the performance, obviously a few mistakes - we know we have to eradicate those.
"But 23 efforts away from home and I think we had nearly 50 entries into their box. It shows the way the team are trying to progress and a much better general and consistent performance, which I asked for.
"Against Newcastle we were at least decent for 70 minutes and went under too quickly. [On Monday] we didn't. We held our nerve, kept trying to create things and kept trying to create chances."
Dyche also welcomed a goal for his No 9, saying: "Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks sharper, he looks fitter and stronger again. So he will be a weapon for us over the next four games.
"He looked a threat and his true fitness, which I spoke about when I got here, is coming back.
"He looks stronger and a lot more alert."
Sky Sports' Zinny Boswell:
Goals have been hard to come by for Everton this season. In fact, they are the Premier League's most goal-shy team with a paltry return of 27 from 34 games.
No wonder they find themselves in a spot of bother with four games to go. Sean Dyche's team are second bottom and a point from safety but there's hope at the end of this tunnel.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prolonged absence this season with injury has left Everton with one hand tied behind their back. His return to the line-up for a third game in a row at Leicester showed exactly what they have been missing.
Aside from his goal from the penalty spot to open the scoring, Calvert-Lewin's energy and physicality proved to be a handful for the Leeds defenders and helped contribute to Alex Iwobi's equaliser.
Calvert-Lewin provides an outlet and helps Everton get further up the pitch. Their 23 shots against Leicester was the most they have managed in the Premier League since November 2019. The 26-year-old is reviving the Everton attack.
Dyche will be hoping his newly rediscovered weapon can fire Everton to safety.
Leicester return to action with a trip to Fulham on Monday May 8; kick-off 3pm.
Everton's next game is away to Brighton on Monday May 8; kick-off 5.30pm.
May 8: Fulham (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 13: Liverpool (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 22: Newcastle (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm
May 28: West Ham (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
May 8: Brighton (A) - Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm
May 13: Man City (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Wolves (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 28: Bournemouth (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
