Everton 1-1 Leicester: Impressive performance versus stubborn block

A bright start to the second-half, which saw Leicester City return to their energetic high-press, essentially trapped Everton inside their own half, making their deep-block very compact. This was slightly ineffective for Rodgers’ side, as the afforded spaces the Foxes were able to create were all positioned in front of the defensive line – and the absence of Jamie Vardy removed any intention of running behind this line. The substitution of Cengiz Ünder changed this, as the Turkish-international threatens the space behind the compact block by moving on the shoulder.

An issue Rodgers has to solve with Ünder is his wasteful nature in the final third. We’ve seen glimpses of brilliance, particularly when he’s been unselfish – the two assists for Vardy away at Arsenal and Leeds United encapsulate this, but too often his space creation (through a body feint/manipulation or dribble) will lead to a “ridiculous” shot on goal. If Ünder can remove these moments of madness after an excellent piece of skill, the Foxes will have an explosive winger at their disposal. It’s a careful balance from Rodgers though, you don’t want to remove his unpredictability and instinctive ball-carrying, but he’ll also want his winger to make the correct decision more times than not – and I can honestly say he’s struggling in that department currently.

Youri Tielemans’ equaliser – which slightly preceded the introduction of Ünder, was a moment of good fortune. Jordan Pickford’s characteristic error with regards to shot-stopping allowed a fairly simple effort from the Belgian to ricochet into the goal. Even if the strike didn’t deserve it, Leicester City had definitely created enough in the game to be level. Until the closing stages, which did offer a few moments for the home side, the Foxes looked destined to push on and take all three points.

In previous games this season versus the deep-block, Leicester City have struggled to consistently create chances but that wasn’t an issue. A deployment from Rodgers was the use of “wall passes/bounce passes” – which in its simplest form is a one-two. The difference is, the initial pass is played forwards – often from a central defender – into the midfield. Instead of taking a touch and scanning for passing lanes, the midfielder will return the ball to the central defender by using a one-touch pass. The reason for doing so is that it gives space to the defender, allowing them to progress play through the lines.

Often, Jonny Evans or Wesley Fofana would be pressed by Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison, but as the remainder of Everton’s team were playing in their compact 4-4-2 formation, once the ball was played into midfield both forwards would track the ball rather than the midfield pushing to aid their press. By returning the ball to Evans and Fofana first-timed, they’re no longer being pressed by the forwards and can look to instigate an attack. It’s simple, viable and was effective against Everton – potentially another style to play through a deep-block for the Foxes.

Regardless, this will be irrelevant for their next game against Leeds United. Perhaps the most unorthodox high-pressing unit in the league, that also defends man-to-man. Leicester should find joy in the transitions, and there will be a lot of them, but the Lilywhites do offer extremely good attacking prowess in the counter. I don’t expect an emphatic victory – like the game at Elland Road, but I feel confident Rodgers and the Foxes will overcome Marcelo Bielsa. If Ndidi is fit, it’ll be a formality.