EVERTON’S Euro charge is back on track after taking advantage of the best and worst of Kasper Schmeichel.
All the talk pre-match centred on Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to drop Everton No 1 Jordan Pickford for back-up keeper Robin Olsen for the second time this season.
Brazilian Richarlison fired in the opener for Everton from long rangeCredit: Reuters
Kasper Schmeichel will feel he should have kept Richarlison’s effort outCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mason Holgate secured the three points for Everton at the King PowerCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
However, it was Leicester’s usually reliable shot-stopper Schmeichel who cost his side after he failed to deal with Richarlison’s long-range effort midway through the first half.
He then produced two wonder-saves following a corner, only to see Mason Holgate tap home the rebound with the third attempt.
Jamie Vardy was denied the chance to score from the spot on his club record 223rd Premier League appearance after VAR overturned a late penalty.
Referee Lee Mason had pointed to the spot in the 82nd minute when Andre Gomes looked to have clipped Ayoze Perez inside the area.
But replays showed Gomez just nicked the ball first and Mason corrected his decision after a brief glance at the VAR monitor.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers argued: “The ref goes away and has a look and I am not sure he can say 100 per cent that he has got it wrong. It looked a clear penalty. I have seen a couple of angles that the referee didn’t see but the referee was looking at an angle which gives him doubt.
“We were harshly dealt with and it seemed a penalty.”
For Rodgers’ side, the chance to briefly go top of the Prem has gone for now.
But more concerning is their home form — it is now four losses from seven at the King Power this campaign.
Holgate bundled the ball home from close range after a super Schmeichel double stopCredit: PA:Press Association
It was a disappointing night for Brendan Rodgers’ side – who missed the chance to go top of the leagueCredit: Reuters
After a worrying drop in form, Everton are now just one point off the top four thanks to impressive back-to-back wins against Chelsea and now Leicester.
Ancelotti said: “It was a good performance. We were consistent defensively and we played well using the counter-attack, so I am satisfied.
“If you can keep clean sheets then you can win games and we have players in attack who have real quality.”
This clash brought together two of the league’s deadliest marksmen in ten-goal Vardy and Dominic Calvert-Lewin with 11.
And Vardy began the night by passing Muzzy Izzet’s previous Foxes record of 222 Premier League appearances.
He had levelled the tally in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Brighton — a match which saw him have just 20 touches in the 90 minutes, setting up two and scoring one.
And his first touch last night almost brought about the first goal as he teed up Youri Tielemans on the edge of the box to fizz a low shot past the post.
But Everton grew into the game and were gifted the lead in the 21st minute after Alex Iwobi’s ball out to Richarlison saw the Brazilian cut inside and curl one in from distance.
Schmeichel got a firm hand to the shot but could only palm it into the side-netting.
It was just the striker’s second league goal of the season and his first since September.
Leicester continued to probe and should have levelled moments later as Vardy’s header from six yards out was straight at Olsen.
Jamie Vardy was denied the chance to score from the spot by VARCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Lee Mason reversed his initial decision to give a penalty after seeing Andre Gomes get a touch on the ball on the monitorCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ayoze Perez had a late goals scrubbed off for offsideCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Everton then suffered a blow before the break as Allan was carried off on a stretcher with a hamstring injury. Leicester emerged in the second half pumped up and keen to attack — but two early yellow cards for Holgate and Ben Godfrey after challenges on James Maddison signalled Everton’s defensive intent.
The visitors’ physicality was working and they earned themselves some breathing space in the 72nd minute after a crazy set-piece sequence.
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s corner was met by Michael Keane and his header was palmed away by Schmeichel, before the keeper somehow tipped Calvert-Lewin’s rebound on to the crossbar.
But Schmeichel’s luck ran out as Holgate was on hand as the ball dropped to make sure Everton grabbed a second of the night.
Rodgers’ saw men were left gutted again as their penalty award was overturned.
And their night was summed up in the dying moments as Perez guided home Vardy’s flicked header from a corner, only to be pulled back for offside.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
