Experience the tension of a rain-soaked thriller that culminated in a gripping 1-1 stalemate at King Power Stadium. Discover the highlights and analysis.
Introduction:
Stephy Mavididi’s equalizer meant Leicester City and Everton are still on the search for their first win of the Premier League campaign as both teams shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium. The match was as much about battling the elements as it was about football, and Everton finally earned their first point of the season but will continue to wait for a first victory. The latter could not capitalize on their dominance of the first half and were made to hold at a point at the end, under immense pressure.
Early Start for Everton
Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye opened the scoring in the 11th minute, setting the Toffees off and carrying them all the way into what became their dream start. A fine pass in from veteran Ashley Young allowed Ndiaye to create a pocket of space inside the box. He then hit the ball low and with precision that evaded Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen and ricocheted in off the left post.
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The early goal gave Everton confidence, and they may have doubled their lead shorty after. Five minutes later, Ndiaye whipped in a beautiful cross that found Jesper Lindstrom, but he did not put enough control on a volley for it not to go anywhere, and a valuable opportunity to extend their advantage would go amiss.
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Leicester Response under Tough Conditions
Torrential rain made life something of a nightmare for both teams, but only Stephy Mavididi really seemed to expose himself to the wet conditions in the 35th minute when the cross turned out to become a dangerous effort that almost caught Jordan Pickford off his line at the far post.
With the rain heavy, five minutes were lost from starting the second half of play because there was thunder and lightning. When play returned, it seemed that the adverse weather was making it a true test to each of the teams. The match remained very competitive regardless of the tough conditions.
Mavididi Equalises for Leicester
Leicester piled on the pressure to get back into the game after the break as Everton’s defense came in for even greater stress, marshalled this time by Michael Keane and James Tarkowski. Dwight McNeil went close to doubling Everton’s advantage when he picked out Dominic Calvert-Lewin with a fine pass through that the striker fired at goal. But an incredible save from Hermansen kept it open for Leicester once again.
Then, in the 73rd minute, the Foxes finally came level through Mavididi. And when Harry Winks swings in a corner, Everton failed to clear out the loose ball at the far post as Mavididi quickly showed off his quick reflexes and capitalizes on the bad defending of Leicester’s defense by sweeping it inside with a pacey strike. It was a lapse of concentration that gave Leicester the opportunity to get back into the game, giving the home side a new injection of energy.
Final Stages: Leicester Push, Everton Hold On
Leicester never surrendered after Mavididi’s equaliser. For all but the final 20 minutes of the match, though, this was a game in which Chelsea had made all the running. Mavididi and Facundo Buonanotte were each denied shots at Everton. Their desperation was a comment on how the visitors struggled to cope with the home side’s waves of attacking play.
Despite their late momentum and the wet conditions, Leicester could not capitalize to grab a winner. Everton’s defense, which has proven shaky in several games lately, had been quite resolute at the close. The Toffees have blown many leads in previous matches, having led 2-0 in their last two matches before suffering defeat. Not this time, though.
A Point Gained, but Still So Much to Be Asked
Everton will take solace in a point, but the wait for a first win continues. Under an struggling early spell for Sean Dyche, his men have felt quite defeated, so this halt to their losing streak is a welcome one. Still, much more consistency and concentration will be needed to avoid another relegation battle.
Rain-Soaked Thriller
Leicester may feel shortchanged not to have taken the full three points from a game in which they were the side clearly on top in the second half. The Foxes are now in 15th in the table, whereas that point earned Everton are now up to 19th by virtue of goal difference.
What would the two teams want moving ahead? Leicester has to convert possession and chances created into wins, and Everton has to stiffen defense at the critical stage of the match and be better at closing games.