HAVE WE TURNED THE CORNER?!

Leicester leave Goodison with a bang! – Match Report by Tom Shapland

Leicester bounce back after last week’s defeat against Manchester City with a deserved win away at Everton, ending a five-game winless streak against The Toffees (L3, D2).

Everton began the game on the front Foot in what would be an end to end first half. Calvert-Lewin won the ball back in the Foxes defensive third before threading a pass through to Iwobi who rolled it wide of the target.

Maddison had a few chances to convert in the first half, the first going narrowly wide of the left post and the second going just wide after he danced away from a couple of Everton challenges on the edge of the area.

Leicester grabbed the opener right on the verge of half-time. Everton failed to clear their lines before the ball fell to Tielemans on the edge of the box, who rifled it into the top left corner, reminiscent of his goal against Wolves. Another day, another Youri Tielemans screamer, the Belgian midfielder is gunning against himself for the goal of the season award.

It wasn’t until the 86^th minute that Leicester solidified the three points. A Harvey Barnes winner, and his fifth league goal of the season rocketed Leicester up past Everton in the league table. Maddison grabbed his second assist of the game after searing down the left and pulling it back to Barnes who turned Doucoure before finding the top left corner.

After the game, Brendan Rodgers said: “They’ve always had a trust in me. They expect me, with what I’ve done at the club, to move the team away from it. We have a strong connection.”

Rodgers also sang Maddison’s praises, saying: “If you’re talking technical level, tactical idea and efficiency, he’s right up there. He’s one of the best players in this league, never mind in England. There’s absolutely no question. We’re talking in this league which is full of world-class superstars. He is a superstar. What a player.”

A comfortable 2-0 victory, orchestrated by James Maddison means that Leicester jump to 14^th place in the Premier League, leapfrogging their opponents Everton, as the renascence continues. The Foxes have now won back-to-back away fixtures for the first time since December 2020. Leicester will now host Newport County in the EFL cup third round midweek before travelling to West Ham next Saturday for a 3pm kick-off.