Alex Iwobi of Everton saved a 2-2 draw against relegation-threatened Leicester, but the Foxes emerged from the bottom three of the Premier League after Monday’s crucial match.
At the King Power Stadium, Iwobi struck the equalizer in the second half after James Maddison missed a chance to make it 3-1 for Leicester when Jordan Pickford saved his penalty.
Everton took the lead early on thanks to a penalty kick from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but Leicester answered with goals from Caglar Soyuncu and Jamie Vardy. On the basis of goal differential, Leicester, who had only won one of their previous 12 league matches, moved out of the bottom three.
The 2016 Premier League champion Foxes are attempting to avert their first appearance in the Championship in nine years.
Dean Smith, the manager of Leicester, remarked, “We missed a penalty for 3-1, but we also in the first half were second best for long periods.” Everton, who last competed in the second tier in 1954, is still in the nineteenth position.
With four games remaining for each of the bottom five teams, Sean Dyche’s team is one point away from avoiding relegation. Under Frank Lampard, Everton almost avoided relegation last season, but their problems once again this campaign led to Dyche’s hiring in January.
In two of Dyche’s first three games, the Toffees defeated Leeds and Arsenal, but since then, they have only won one of their last eleven matches, leading to irate fan demonstrations against the club’s management.
Despite not scoring three points, Dyche noted, “We held our nerve, kept trying to create things, and overall it’s a good performance.”
I wasn’t here to take a stroll in the park. I anticipated it would be difficult. Two really soft goals were the only offense committed tonight, but the mindset is what we desire.
Everton grabbed the lead in the 15th minute despite the rebellious attitude of their visiting supporters. With a careless push on Calvert-Lewin as the striker attempted to handle Seamus Coleman’s lofted pass, Timothy Castagne foolishly gave away a penalty.
Calvert-Lewin converted the penalty kick into his second goal of the injury-riddled season and his first since October. Leicester needed to respond, and they did so forcefully by scoring twice in as many minutes.
Wout Faes headed Harvey Barnes’ cross back across goal in the 22nd minute, and Soyuncu pounced with a half-volley that evaded Jordan Pickford’s feeble attempt to stop it. Vardy turned back the years with a breakneck run to grab Maddison’s ball and round Pickford for a slick finish after Iwobi lost control too cheaply.
Everton’s defense was in disarray, and in first-half stoppage time, Michael Keane gave up a penalty when he used his outstretched arm to block a cross from Barnes. But Maddison gave Everton new life by blasting his penalty straight at Pickford. The effort of England goalkeeper Pickford was also recognized by the save.
His water bottle was photographed in the goal with information on possible Leicester penalty shooters written on it, including the note: “James Maddison – Stay – 60% center.”
“I completed my assignment. I told them where I was going this morning. I double-bluffed him because he is a fantastic player and would have anticipated me to move, Pickford said.
After Calvert-Lewin flicked on McNeil’s cross, Iwobi made Maddison pay for his error by scoring an equalizer in the 54th minute for Everton. Iwobi finished expertly past Iversen from 10 yards out.
Vardy’s header was cleared off the line by James Tarkowski in a dramatic finish, and Iversen stopped at Calvert-Lewin’s feet before stopping Abdoulaye Doucoure’s rocket.