Everton 1-1 Leicester City: Foxes battle to point at Goodison

Leicester proved their appetite for a Champions League challenge by coming from behind to earn a battling point at Everton.

The hosts finished the first half on top, but without injured striker Jamie Vardy, Leicester responded in the second half as Jordan Pickford made several saves and Yerry Mina denied James Maddison with an impressive interception.

The visitors’ pressure eventually led to Youri Tielemans’ low strike, which Pickford got a hand to but failed to keep out.

Leicester pressed for a winner although they were fortunate to see late headers sail from Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin miss the target.

The draw meant the Foxes remain third but are now two points behind leaders Manchester City, and a point behind Manchester United after their shock 2-1 home defeat by Sheffield United.

Everton stay seventh, two points behind fourth-placed West Ham.

Leicester show mettle without Vardy

Rodgers will be disappointed that his side, who were on top for much of the second half, did not earn victory, especially on a night when they could have overtaken Manchester United following their Old Trafford loss.

But they also extended their unbeaten run to nine games, and showed they had the ability to get back into the game when Everton finished the first half stronger.

Maddison, watched by England manager Gareth Southgate, was heavily involved in their build-up play early on, and looking to score for a fifth game in succession, the 24-year-old went close with a curling 25-yard effort that was just over.

Harvey Barnes also impressed with his direct running.

But after Everton took the lead, all the early endeavour looked to have been wasted. Skipper Kasper Schmeichel sensed his side’s situation and bawled at his team-mates to improve.

In that regard, half-time came at a good time for the visitors. They regrouped and although they lost Wilfred Ndidi to injury, adding to the continued absence of Vardy, they still searched for an equaliser, which eventually came in fortunate circumstances.

Tielemans’ effort lacked power but an unsighted Pickford could not keep it out. After creating the best of the second-half chances, though, it was a deserved reward.

Cengiz Under added extra zip to the attack when he came on shortly afterwards, and although the impressive Maddison continued to ask questions of the Everton defence, a point at a side who had won five of their past six Premier League games will offer some solace.

Rodriguez shines as Everton’s European hopes continue

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted on Tuesday that he was missing the Champions League, having won the trophy three times as a manager. The Italian has always spoken of European ambitions with Everton, but has kept his short-term focus on the Europa League.

Victory on a soggy night on Merseyside would have lifted Ancelotti’s side into the top four, with their sights on what he calls “the best competition in the world”.

But if they are to break into the established top six, or even top four, they will also have to overcome a Leicester side who offer more energy in attack.

Everton’s recent run, which included a 2-0 win at Leicester in December, has been built on an improved defensive solidity, with top scorer Calvert-Lewin adding goals to Rodriguez’s guile.

Yet with the England forward extending his goalless run to six Premier League games, despite scoring in the FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, Rodriguez delivered on the half-hour with a fine strike.

Having first tried his luck with his left foot, the ball bounced back to him off Wesley Fofana, and this time Rodriguez found the corner for his fourth goal of the season.

That came after a spell when Everton carved out chances and although they were under pressure for much of the second period, they almost grabbed a winner at the end when their aerial ability threatened to pierce the Leicester defence once more.

The disappointment will come from the manner in which they conceded, though.

Although Tielemans’ shot came through a crowd of players, Pickford could only palm it on to his right post and watch agonisingly as it bounced in.

The Toffees have now only lost once in their past seven league games, but this result showed they may be hard pressed to make the top four with the Europa League offering a more realistic target.

‘Two points dropped’

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers: “We should have gone on and won the game. That was maybe two points dropped for us but they’re a really 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.”

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

“This is not the right place to talk about this [Jordan Pickford]. He can do better but it doesn’t matter.”

Rodriguez show class – best of the stats

• Leicester have only lost one of their past 10 Premier League away games (W7 D2), and are unbeaten in their past five games on the road since a defeat at Anfield in November (W3 D2).
• Everton’s James Rodriguez has scored 19 goals from outside the box while playing within the top five European leagues (three for Monaco, 11 for Real Madrid, three for Bayern Munich and two for Everton), however this was the first he’s scored from outside the box with his right foot.
• Only Dominic Calvert-Lewin (11) has been directly involved in more Premier League goals for Everton this season than Rodriguez (seven – four goals, three assists).
• All five of Youri Tielemans’ goals for Leicester in the Premier League this season have been scored away from home – indeed, he’s netted the most away goals of any player yet to score at home this term.

What next?

Everton host Newcastle in the early game on Saturday in the Premier League (12:30 GMT), while Leicester are at home to Leeds United on Sunday (14:00).