George Overhill

Mon 1 May 2023 21:59, UK

Everton produced a wonderful start before throwing it away in calamitous fashion against Leicester, only to rescue a point that helps neither side hugely in a 2-2 draw.

A full-throttle start saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin win and score an early penalty after he was shoved over by Timothy Castagne, but the lead was lost soon after against the run of play when Caglar Soyuncu wrong-footed Jordan Pickford from a knock down, and the home side were ahead when Alex Iwobi gave the ball away just after half an hour Jamie Vardy was set free to score a second.

A horrific end to the half saw Calvert-Lewin miss from a yard out before Seamus Coleman was lost to a serious injury, then a Michael Keane handball conceded a penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time which was easily saved by Jordan Pickford.

Iwobi soon levelled after the break by firing a high ball from the left into the bottom corner first time, but in a game where virtually everyone mixed bad with good and Daniel Iversen was in top form for the home side it finished even.

Here, Goodison News rates the Everton players out of 10 for their performances at the King Power.

Jordan Pickford – 6

Fairly poor until first-half stoppage time but better thereafter. May feel he should have done better for Leicester’s first. Wasn’t a huge amount he could do to stop a sprinting Vardy but was by-passed with ease by his former England teammate. Penalty save before the half was vital to keep his side in the game, although he won’t have had many easier. Cut one key ball out for Castagne but was dispossessed on the touchline to almost gift Vardy an open goal.

Seamus Coleman (off for Patterson ’45+4) – 6

Devastating. His influence has proven so crucial but it would be a shock to see him again this season after being stretchered off with a horrible-looking injury just before the break. Good in attack before that, less so in defence in the first half. Probably should have closed down Harvey Barnes better in the build up to Soyuncu’s goal, but concerns are now more confused on his health.

Michael Keane – 4

Highlighted as a weakness by Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports pre-game and didn’t do much to disprove him defensively. Dominant in the air but was completely left in the dust as Vardy streaked away to put the home side ahead, and was then turned inside out by the veteran striker before he clipped the bar before the half. Still found time to concede a penalty for handball.

James Tarkowski – 6

Game of two halves. Barely noticeable on the pitch in the first 45 minutes for Everton, as he wasn’t even in the picture as Keane was trailing behind Vardy more than once. Much-improved after the break and was in the right place at the right time to head a an effort from the Leicester forward off the line.

Vitalii Mykolenko – 3

Poor game. Barely involved for 45 minutes then beaten easily high up the left flank twice inside the opening minutes of the second half. Looked like a weak link.

Idrissa Gana Gueye – 5

Started ok but faded along with everyone else as the Everton lead disappeared. Blasted an inviting early chance over when left in space on the edge of the box at a corner. Left trailing in the midfield when Leicester broke on the counter. Chasing the game in the second half.

James Garner – 5

Preferred to Amadou Onana who was ill this week, there was a noticeable drop off in production. Peripheral to the action and didn’t do anywhere near enough with his possession. Like Gueye the Foxes players streamed past him on counter-attacks.

Abdoulaye Doucouré – 7 Man of the Match

Probably the pick of the first half amid wildly fluctuating performances elsewhere. Crucial to the Everton line up under Dyche. Good early work to drive into the box and find Iwobi for a great chance, and disrupted Leicester passing moves. Less influential as the game went on but almost won it late with a long-range strike that was brilliantly saved by Iversen.

Alex Iwobi – 5

Increasingly terrible game rescued only by his goal after a decent start. Got into good positions and saw a lot of the ball but lacked quality on it too often. So close to the opener inside 10 minutes but denied by a stunning Iversen save. Dreadful pass across the centre circle was cut out and punished for Vardy’s goal, and again lost the ball in attack allowing Leicester break to win the penalty. Slotted a high ball home to level early in the second half.

Dwight McNeil – 6

Frustrating and uneven. Didn’t do enough with the ball throughout the game aside from one moment and somehow managed not to score from close range when Iversen kept him out. Then almost made amends with a driving run that put a second on a plate for Calvert-Lewin which was stunningly missed. Not a great performance overall but one moment of quality should have ended with an assist.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 6

Sublime to ridiculous. Ominous signs within minutes saw him walking and looking hurt, but quickly recovered to look close to his best as he was barged over for a penalty which he stepped up to slam home. Suddenly appeared reborn for a short while but produced a staggering miss from virtually on the goal line that should have drawn his side level. Quiet second half.

Substitutes

Nathan Patterson (on for Coleman ’45+4) – 6

Cleared from almost under his own cross bar for his first involvement and was surging forward late. Not bad.