Leicester City faced relegation rivals Everton at the King Power stadium in a must-win game for either side. This game would almost decide who stays up in the relegation battle. Both sides were desperate for a win, with all three points being crucial for either team.
Everton hadn’t won a game since March and were desperate for a win to boost them out of the relegation zone. For Leicester anything but a loss would only just push them out of the drop zone.
Both teams looked desperate for the win, but Everton found the net from the penalty spot after Timothy Castagne pushed Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the back in the box. The Foxes responded just seven minutes later as Soyuncu pounced on a loose ball and stuck it beyond Jordan Pickford. Just over the 30 minute mark, Jamie Vardy went around the England No.1 goalkeeper and scored in true vintage Vardy fashion. In the second-half, Alex Iwobi made it level after being allowed too much space by the LCFC defence to get his shot away. Both teams fought to the end, but the game ended level and the points were shared on Filbert Way.
Leicester City goalkeeper and defenders
Daniel Iversen: 9 – despite his goal distribution being poor, he made some really important saves to make sure we took the point. He made a brilliant save to deny Iwobi in the first eight minutes of the game, saved Calvert Lewin’s effort on the line and pushed a shot away from Doucoure in the last 10 minutes.
Timothy Castagne: 5 – gave away a stupid penalty after pushing Calvert Lewin in the back. Had some dodgy defensive moments, but going forward he was an option on the wing.
Wout Faes: 7 – got the assist for Soyuncu’s goal, charged out of defence to stop Calvert Lewin receiving the ball. Made some good defensive headers and tackles.
Caglar Soyuncu: 8 – he pounced on the loose ball in the area and stuck it in the back of the net. Made some excellent defensive headers and wasn’t afraid to get stuck in with tackles, his positioning was brilliant.
Luke Thomas: 5 – gave the ball away too easily. Too far away from Iwobi which allowed his goal. He did play some nice balls over to Vardy and to Barnes’ feet.
Wilfred Ndidi: 5 – lost the ball for Everton’s Nigerian international’s opportunity in the first ten minutes that was thankfully denied by Iversen. Didn’t protect the defence.
Boubakary Soumare: 6 – chased the ball around and ran almost everywhere, made some good forward passes, but made some poor decisions.
Midfielders and Striker
Youri Tielemans: 6 – gave sloppy balls away, slow to react, became better as the game went on and attempted forward passes.
James Maddison: 5 – poor penalty, tried to do too much with the ball and ran into trouble, gave away sloppy passes set up Vardy’s goal and showcased some superb footwork, but it rarely amounted to anything.
Jamie Vardy: 8 – his goal was as cool as you like, round the keeper and into the net, just like the old times. Vardy was through one on one with Pickford again he went round the keeper but his effort hit the bar. Looked back to his old self and looked confident.
Harvey Barnes: 5 – won the penalty and set up Vardy’s header, ran into trouble too often and shied out of tackles too easily, wasn’t his night.
Substitutions
Patson Daka: 6 – although he often gave the ball away he gave Castagne an option in front of him and tracked back really well once to win the ball off Everton.
Victor Kristiansen: N/A – wasn’t on the pitch long enough.
Dennis Praet: N/A wasn’t on the pitch long enough.