Abdoulaye Doucoure left ‘in disbelief’ in Everton draw at Leicester as player has ‘game of his life’ – Sky Sports pundits
Daniel Iversen’s stand-out performance for Leicester left Abdoulaye Doucouré “in disbelief” when he thought he’d won the game for Everton, according to Alan Smith.
In the final minutes of the chaotic draw at the King Power on Monday (1 May) the Toffees midfielder fired a rasping left-footed shot low towards the bottom corner from the edge of the box, only to be thwarted by an excellent save from the Danish keeper.
It was the last of a series of top draw stops from the Foxes man to preserve a point in a game that could gone either way, also keeping out Alex Iwobi, Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, in what commentator Pien Meulensteen called the “game of his life”.
Speaking live on the Sky Sports match coverage after the late save to deny Doucouré Smith said (1 May, 9.51pm): “Not the first time that an Everton player looks in disbelief that he’s not scored. Iversen maybe saw this one late as it goes past Wout Faes.”
Meulensteen added: “Well Doucouré couldn’t have hit it any better. Daniel Iversen is having the game of his life tonight.”
Dramatic
The game had so much riding on it for both teams that neither will be especially delighted with just one point from it – Everton especially as it leaves them in the relegation zone while Leicester climb out.
Both teams could have won it but contrived not to, while both showed why they are in trouble by allowing numerous chances to another relegation rival.
Iversen’s saves kept out at least three chances that looked like they were in, although Calvert-Lewin’s miss from virtually on the goal line owed more to the striker than the keeper.
At the same time James Maddison missed a poor penalty that Jordan Pickford stood still to push away, while Jamie Vardy clipped off the top of the bar having skinned Michael Keane more than once, and fired wide from long range with the goal gaping when Pickford had been dispossessed on the touch line.
The performance certainly showed more fight that has been exhibited recently, and suggested there is slim hope yet, but for all the endeavour on the night one point doesn’t do much for Sean Dyche.
And losing Seamus Coleman to a serious injury may be the most significant take away of all in the relegation battle.