3 Things learned as Leicester draw with Everton
By Ethan Henson
Daniel Iversen is Leicester City’s true No.1
Foxes fans can reflect on last night’s fixture and bemoan the James Maddison penalty or the Jamie Vardy missed chance at 2-1, but the reality is that Iversen’s supreme shot-stopping ability kept their side in the match, and potentially in the division, the latter of which we’ll not know for a while. The Dane’s stop from Calvert-Lewin, who albeit should’ve scored, meant that City could break and create the opening for Vardy in the first place.
As many have remarked on social media, if not for the change in goalkeeper in March, the picture at the bottom of the table could look very different. There’s a strong argument that with Danny Ward between the sticks last night, the Foxes could’ve shipped way more than the two goals that the Toffees managed.
The fight will surely reach the final day
A win and two draws for Leicester from fixtures against Wolves, Leeds United and Everton was arguably more of a points haul than many expected given the run of one point from 27 available immediately prior. Although I’m sure if given the choice, Dean Smith would’ve happily switched to a draw against Wolves and a victory against one of the clubs around his side.
If one assumes Southampton are too far adrift to survive, we’re now no longer at the stage where any of the relegation candidates face off against one and other, that is of course dependent on whether West Ham get dragged back into the equation, which is possible given their next two fixtures are against the Manchester clubs before facing Brentford, Leeds and Leicester.
Of the four sides from 16th through 19th, Leeds United have the trickiest fixture list, facing three of the current top six. Sam Allardyce is set to take charge, according to reports, in what is a do-or-die move by the Elland Road hierarchy. Everton and Leicester both have similar run ins with two strong sides each and two games where they’ll fancy their shot at victory, while Nottingham Forest face Southampton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
It’s looking like somewhere around 36 points is required, with City’s superior goal difference compared with those around them acting as an extra buffer in this nail-biting fight. The Foxes face West Ham on matchday 38, and it remains to be seen whether then Hammers are back in it by then, with a compelling argument among the Foxes faithful being that they’d rather their opponents be home and dry at that point.