Leicester City v Everton Live Commentary & Result, 01/05/2023, Premier League

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	MCI Manchester City	38	28	5	5	94	33	+61	89	L D W W W
2	ARS Arsenal	38	26	6	6	88	43	+45	84	W L L W W
3	MUN Manchester United	38	23	6	9	58	43	+15	75	W W W W L
4	NEW Newcastle United	38	19	14	5	68	33	+35	71	D D W D L
5	LIV Liverpool	38	19	10	9	75	47	+28	67	D D W W W
6	BHA Brighton & Hove Albion	38	18	8	12	72	53	+19	62	L D W L W
7	AVL Aston Villa	38	18	7	13	51	46	+5	61	W D W L L
8	TOT Tottenham Hotspur	38	18	6	14	70	63	+7	60	W L L W L
9	BRE Brentford	38	15	14	9	58	46	+12	59	W W W L W
10	FUL Fulham	38	15	7	16	55	53	+2	52	L D W W L
11	CRY Crystal Palace	38	11	12	15	40	49	-9	45	D D W L W
12	CHE Chelsea	38	11	11	16	38	47	-9	44	D L L D W
13	WOL Wolverhampton Wanderers	38	11	8	19	31	58	-27	41	L D L W L
14	WHU West Ham United	38	11	7	20	42	55	-13	40	L W L W L
15	BOU AFC Bournemouth	38	11	6	21	37	71	-34	39	L L L L W
16	NFO Nottingham Forest	38	9	11	18	38	68	-30	38	D W D W L
17	EVE Everton	38	8	12	18	34	57	-23	36	W D L W D
18	LEI Leicester City	38	9	7	22	51	68	-17	34	W D L L D
19	LEE Leeds United	38	7	10	21	48	78	-30	31	L L D L L
20	SOU Southampton	38	6	7	25	36	73	-37	25	D L L L L

That is all from a frantic, end-to-end relegation clash between Leicester and Everton. Until next time, goodbye!

The draw lifts Leicester up to 16th in the Premier League, albeit level on points with the two sides below them, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest. Everton sit in 19th and face the difficult task of travelling to Brighton and Hove Albion in a week's time. The Foxes visit European hopefuls Fulham on the same day in their bid to avoid relegation.

It may feel like a missed opportunity for both sides on Monday, as Everton and Leicester settled for a 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium. The Toffees initially took the lead through a Calvert-Lewin spot-kick before goals from Soyuncu and Vardy sent the Foxes into the break leading, although Maddison could have added further damage but missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time. Iwobi snatched a deserved equaliser for Dyche's visitors in the second half, and despite both side's best endeavours, neither team were able to find a late winner.

90' + 5' FULL-TIME: LEICESTER CITY 2-2 EVERTON

90' + 4' The cries inside the King Power are to hook the ball long and Iversen duly obliges. Keane rises the highest to clear before McNeil's cross sails harmlessly into the hands of the Leicester goalkeeper.

90' + 3' Mykolenko wastes a great left-wing opportunity as his cross loops high over the head of Iwobi. Leicester win a throw-in deep inside their own half, easing the pressure for a momentary period.

V. Kristiansen

Yellow Card

90' + 2' Everton look the more likely to find the decisive fifth goal, with Leicester unable to secure a prolonged spell of possession. Another free-kick follows on the right-hand side as Kristiansen fells the onrushing Patterson and deservedly gets shown a yellow card.

90' McNeil falters from the resulting free-kick, his deft cross far too strong for the waiting Tarkowski at the back post. Leicester soon get play back under way with a goal-kick as four minutes of additional time are indicated by the fourth official.

J. Maddison

Yellow Card

89' Maddison scythes down Gueye with a late, desperate lunge. Referee Oliver has no choice but to caution the Leicester midfielder.

V. Kristiansen

L. Thomas

88' As part of a double substitution, Kristiansen also comes on for Thomas.

D. Praet

H. Barnes

88' Smith makes two more changes, the first of which sees Praet replaces Barnes.

87' WHAT A STOP! Possession pinballs around the edge of the Leicester area before falling to Doucoure. The Everton midfielder powers a left-footed strike towards the bottom-left corner, where Iversen makes another excellent save to parry behind.

85' Vardy gets flagged for offside after the Leicester striker becomes too eager to latch onto a Daka throughball. Smith appears to be readying another change on the touchline as the Foxes prepare to alter their plan again.

84' Iwobi makes a mockery of the Leicester midfield once more, dancing through the middle. The Foxes recover and make a last-ditch block before Keane heads over from the resulting corner.

83' A frantic end-to-end period of play sees Maddison crowded out before Iwobi leads the charge down the other end. Leicester just about manage to recover, leaving the game level heading into what is expected to be a chance-laden ending.

81' SO CLOSE! Pickford mindlessly comes racing out of his goal to deal with a long ball before taking one touch too many near the touchline. Vardy dispossesses the Everton goalkeeper but his right-footed effort towards the gaping net curls just wide of the target. The Toffees survive a big scare!

79' Only in the 2018-19 season for Arsenal (nine) has Iwobi registered more goal involvements in a single Premier League campaign than the eight he has managed for Everton this term (two goals, six assists). The Toffees are crying out for the midfielder to deliver once more here.

77' OVER! Barnes has acres of space to attack down the left flank. The winger opts to go on his own, although his left-footed strike never tests Pickford, who watches the ball fly high over the Everton goal.

76' Tarkowski heads over from the resulting corner as the Everton attack peters out. Dyche is yet to make a substitute, leading to the question of when he will roll the dice – or will he settle for a hard-fought point on the road?

75' McNeil has Leicester in fear as he surges towards the area. His left-footed strike has a lot of venom behind it before Castange manages to deflect behind for a corner.

74' Pickford intervenes as Castange looms at the back post. The Everton goalkeeper deserves a lot of credit for keeping his side in the contest when saving Maddison's penalty, but the Toffees will be desperate to snatch a late winner now.

72' After 13 of the first 18 Premier League meetings between Everton (four wins) and Leicester (one) ended level (72 per cent), just two of the subsequent 15 between the sides has been drawn (13 per cent – seven Everton wins to Leicester's six). A stalemate is on the cards here, though that is not what either side want as the relegation battle continues.

70' Maddison sees a deflected strike turned behind for a corner. The England international swings in the set-piece but Everton clear. A loose ball falls to Barnes, whose poor right-footed attempt sails both high and wide of Pickford's goal.

69' The Everton defence stand firm as Maddison twice looks for crosses from the right-hand side. Leicester are well and truly turning the screw at the King Power but the Toffees are showing no signs of wilting just yet.

67' A frenetic end-to-end affair remains an enticing – but nervy – encounter for both sets of supporters. A goal for either side will see them surge clear of the relegation zone, but can one of the teams find that decisive strike?

65' Smart interplay leads to space through the middle for Everton. McNeil tries an ambitious long-range drive, which Iversen saves with ease.

63' Leicester came from behind to beat Wolves in their last Premier League home game, last winning consecutive league matches at the King Power Stadium in May last season. Can they repeat the dose here?

P. Daka

W. Ndidi

61' Smith displays his attacking intent as he sends on Daka up top for holding midfielder Ndidi.

60' Maddison tries one turn too many on the left-hand side after his corner is cleared. Everton eventually manage to swing away the danger and it looks like Leicester will make the first change of the game.

59' OFF THE LINE! Maddison crosses towards the back post, where Barnes heads back across goal. Vardy beats Pickford with a close-range header but Tarkowski intervenes on the line to save Everton!

58' The travelling Toffees are in fine voice over in the corner of the King Power. Both sides need a win here, so expect a frantic final 30 minutes. This game could go either way with neither side relenting in their endeavours.

I. Gueye

Yellow Card

56' Gueye hacks down Maddison as the Leicester midfielder looks to break through the middle. Unsurprisingly, the Everton man gets cautioned by Oliver.

A. Iwobi

Goal

54' GOALLLLLLLL! EVERTON MAKE IT 2-2! McNeil’s left-wing cross looks for Calvert-Lewin and Faes manages a looping header away. Yet the centre-back’s clearance only falls as far as Iwobi, who drills a low right-footed volley past Iversen from inside the area. The Toffees are back in the game!

L. Thomas

Yellow Card

53' Thomas becomes the second Leicester name in referee Oliver's book after a late lunge on the left-hand side.

52' SAVE! The battle between Iversen and Calvert-Lewin continues. The Everton striker drills a ferocious low right-footed strike towards the bottom-left corner, where the Leicester goalkeeper thwarts the thunderous drive with his feet.

51' As expected, Soyuncu soon returns to his feet. Iversen launches a high goal-kick long and the ball is back in play. Everton will be keen to make another flying start to this half.

50' A brief stoppage in play follows as Soyuncu is down on the floor receiving treatment from Leicester's medical team. The Foxes centre-back seemed to come off worse in an aerial duel, though the Turkey international will be fine to continue.

49' Castagne delivers a right-wing cross that is begging for a decisive touch. Vardy is just a fraction too slow as Everton escape an early second-half scare.

48' Since making his Premier League debut in August 2014, only Harry Kane (205) has scored more goals in the competition than Vardy (136). Can the Leicester striker add to his tally and kill the game off here?

46' Referee Oliver gets the second half under way at Leicester!

The numbers behind a remarkable first half truly tell the story. Everton (2.78) and Leicester (2.4) have mustered over five expected goals between them after a chaotic opening period. Calvert-Lewin will be rueing a glorious missed chance, while Maddison will not want to look back at his saved penalty. As the second half approaches, both sides are firmly in this contest with crucial points in the relegation battle up to play for.

What a half of Premier League football! Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring from the penalty spot but Leicester soon surged into the lead after goals from Soyuncu and Vardy. Smith's side could have extended their advantage on the stroke of half-time, but a timid Maddison spot-kick was comfortably saved. As relegation clashes go, this one has delivered far more than all could have arguably expected!

45' + 10' HALF-TIME: LEICESTER CITY 2-1 EVERTON

J. Pickford

Penalty Save

45' + 9' WHAT IS MADDISON THINKING! The Leicester star tries to be cute with a deft penalty down the middle, just like Calvert-Lewin's at the other end. Pickford reads his England team-mate's intentions all the way and does not move before punching away a disappointing spot-kick.

J. Maddison

Penalty Miss

45' + 9' PENALTY SAVED! A woeful Maddison attempt sees Pickford save the penalty. The Everton goalkeeper stands firm down the middle and parries away the England midfielder’s terrible effort. Everton remain in the contest!

45' + 8' PENALTY TO LEICESTER! Another poor Iwobi pass lets Maddison launch a counter-attack. The Foxes midfielder rolls in Barnes, whose left-footed cross strikes the arm of Keane. Referee Oliver shows no hesitation as he points to the spot for a penalty to the hosts!

45' + 6' Patterson's first involvement sees him clear a low Tielemans cross. A late offside flag against the Belgium midfielder belatedly goes up as half-time beckons.

N. Patterson

S. Coleman

45' + 4' Coleman leaves the field on a stretcher after that late tackle by Soumare. Dyche sends on Patterson in his place at right-back.

45' + 3' A slight delay to proceedings as the Everton physios continue to tend to Coleman. Smith takes the chance to relay some messages to Vardy and Maddison, as Dyche looks set to lose his captain on the right-hand side of his defence.

45' + 1' Everton captain Coleman, who has only just come back from injury, stays down after Soumare's tackle. Patterson appears to be getting ready on the touchline as the Toffees look set to be dealt a blow moments before half-time.

B. Soumaré

Yellow Card

44' Soumare catches Coleman with a late tackle and becomes the first name in Oliver's book.

44' CHANCES! Calvert-Lewin is inches away from equalising from McNeil's low cross but Iversen makes another excellent stop when the Everton striker should really score. Vardy gets released by a long ball down the other end and chips Pickford, only to be denied by the crossbar!

43' ANOTHER GREAT SAVE! Iversen makes another outstanding stop to deny McNeil. Coleman had latched onto Iwobi's throughball before cutting back to the Everton forward, whose firm right-footed strike seems destined for the bottom-right corner. However, the Leicester goalkeeper has different ideas as a strong right-hand save repels the effort.

41' The half-time whistle will soon come but both sides continue to attack this encounter with a full-throttle approach. Neither side are taking a backwards step, although another Leicester goal could settle this contest.

39' The Toffees are far from out of this game. However, Everton are winless in their last 12 Premier League away trips (D5 L7). Since beating Brighton 2-0 in August 2021, they have won just two of their last 33 away league games (D10 L21).

37' Dyche's side win a free-kick on the right-hand side. Garner delivers a low cross towards the centre of the box, where Iwobi makes a poor effort at goal as Iversen watches the ball fly well wide.

35' Everton look to respond with a corner almost straight from their kick-off. Leicester stand firm to defend and the King Power is rocking – the Foxes' supporters believe they can beat the drop now.

J. Maddison

Assist

33' A wayward Iwobi pass sees Leicester intervene near the centre-circle. Maddison takes little time in releasing Vardy, who shows his experience as he surges past the onrushing Vardy to convert!

J. Vardy

Goal

33' GOALLLLLLLLLL! 2-1 LEICESTER! The Everton defence are left wanting as the Foxes intercept in the middle of the park. Maddison plays an incisive throughball down the middle and Vardy rounds Pickford before slotting into the back of the net for his second goal in as many games. Smith’s side have turned this game on its head!

33' Maddison dances in from the left flank in typically intricate fashion. The England midfielder looks for the top-right corner, yet Pickford catches comfortably after reading the Leicester star's intentions from way out.

31' Iwobi sends a searching ball inside the right-hand channel but Iversen quickly sweeps up any danger. The two styles of play continue to contrast, with Everton keen to hit Calvert-Lewin as quick as possible, while Leicester work more patiently from their defence.

29' McNeil arrows a hopeful half-volley towards the top-left corner. Iversen remains unmoved as the Everton forward's strike flies high and wide of the Leicester goal.

28' Doucoure lurks through the middle but Castagne just about manages to chest back to Iversen. For a relegation battle, this clash has been filled with excitement and it would be hard not to expect more chaos to follow.

26' While Calvert-Lewin's goal came in long-awaited fashion, Soyuncu's leveller was the first he has scored in 26 top-flight appearances, since netting against Manchester United in October 2021.

24' Seemingly out of nothing, Leicester are back in the game and Dyche will be fuming on the touchline. Everton appeared in control before an avoidable situation led to Soyuncu drilling past Pickford, whose attempted save left much to be desired.

W. Faes

Assist

22' A looping Barnes cross from the left gets nodded back towards the middle by Faes, whose cross finds Soyuncu before his fellow centre-back beats Pickford from close range.

Ç. Söyüncü

Goal

22' GOOALLLLLLLLL! LEICESTER EQUALISE TO MAKE IT 1-1! The most unlikeliest of scorers levels the game as Soyuncu sneaks a right-footed strike past Pickford. Faes had headed a Barnes cross back across goal before Soyuncu’s effort sneaks under Pickford, who may feel he should do better low down to his left. Game on!

21' Calvert-Lewin has just scored his second Premier League goal of the season and first in 10 appearances since netting against Crystal Palace in October. How crucial could that strike prove to be?

19' Faes is forced to turn behind as Calvert-Lewin springs in behind once more. McNeil delivers a corner from the right and, despite rising the highest, Keane heads harmlessly wide of the target.

17' Everton have lost four of their last five Premier League away games played on Mondays (D1), failing to score on four occasions in that run. Their supporters are buoyed by an early opener on this occasion, though, as Dyche's visitors search for a much-needed three points.

D. Calvert-Lewin

Penalty Goal

15' GOALLLLLL! 1-0 EVERTON! After winning the penalty, Calvert-Lewin makes no mistake from 12 yards as he smashes down the middle. Iversen dives to his right and watches on helplessly as the visitors take the lead!

14' PENALTY TO EVERTON! Coleman loops a hopeful pass towards the area and Calvert-Lewin chests down as Faes and Castagne look to apply pressure. The Toffees striker goes down and referee Oliver points to the spot for a foul by the Leicester right-back.

13' SAVE! Vardy makes it to the byline unchallenged before pulling back towards the edge of the area. Maddison takes a touch before aiming for the bottom-left corner but England goalkeeper Pickford reads it all the way as he saves low down to his right.

11' Everton are firmly in the ascendancy but a needless offside brings their pressure to a halt. Dyche's visitors are desperately in need of a result and have started in a befitting fashion as they search for a much-needed victory.

9' WHAT A SAVE! Doucoure wanders in from the left flank and lays the ball off to his right. Iwobi strikes a first-time effort towards the top-left corner, where Iversen makes an excellent save as he parries over the bar.

8' Leicester deal with Garner's first outswinging corner, although Tielemans then heads behind for another set-piece. The next delivery is headed out towards the edge of the area to Gueye, whose wild right-footed drive flies high over Iversen's goal.

6' The visiting Toffees pin the Foxes deep inside their own half on the right flank. Coleman makes a rare foray inside and sees his left-footed strike deflect out for the first corner of the game.

4' Soumare looks to cross into the area from the left-hand side and Garner blocks with his chest. Leicester appeal for handball but Oliver shows little interest in those hopeful claims as play carries on.

2' Barnes releases Vardy towards the left of Iversen's goal but the pass has too much pace. Everton launch the goal-kick long in search of Calvert-Lewin.

1' Referee Michael Oliver gets this crucial relegation tussle started at the King Power Stadium!

Following their 2-0 win at Goodison Park in November, Leicester are looking to complete the Premier League double over Everton for just the second time, previously doing so in their 2015-16 title-winning campaign. This meeting comes in remarkably different circumstances at the other end of the table, though.

Dyche welcomes back captain Coleman, who replaces Ben Godfrey at right-back. The other Everton change sees key midfielder Onana only named on the bench as former Manchester United prospect Garner starts in the middle.

Smith opts for three changes to the side that battled for a point at Leeds. Kelechi Iheanacho misses out entirely through injury, with Vardy coming in to lead the line. Ndidi replaces Tete as Leicester bolster their midfield ranks, while Thomas replaces Kristiansen at left-back.

SUBSTITUTES: Asmir Begovic, Nathan Patterson, Amadou Onana, Demarai Gray, Yerry Mina, Neal Maupay, Tom Davies, Conor Coady, Ellis Simms.

EVERTON (4-3-3): Jordan Pickford; Vitalii Mykolenko, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Seamus Coleman; Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye, James Garner; Dwight McNeil, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Alex Iwobi.

SUBSTITUTES: Danny Ward, Harry Souttar, Victor Kristiansen, Daniel Amartey, Patson Daka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Nampalys Mendy, Dennis Praet, Tete.

LEICESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Daniel Iversen; Luke Thomas, Caglar Soyuncu, Wout Faes, Timothy Castagne; Wilfred Ndidi, Boubakary Soumare; Harvey Barnes, James Maddison, Youri Tielemans; Jamie Vardy.

Sean Dyche's side were hammered 4-1 by Champions League-chasing Newcastle United last time out, with the Goodison Park faithful making their frustrations clear for all to see. The Toffees are in desperate need of a response, with tough challenges against Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City to follow.

Leicester came from behind to draw 1-1 at Leeds United on Tuesday, although the Foxes may have felt they deserved all three points at Elland Road. This will be another crucial battle in the relegation scrap, with Dean Smith’s hosts in 18th just one point and one place above Everton.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Premier League clash between Leicester City and Everton.

Leicester City v Everton Live Commentary, 01/05/2023

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