RICH PICKINGS
Brazilian rescues Toffees
EVERTON dragged themselves out of a deep mire of their own making with a last-gasp leveller at Goodison Park.
The relegation zone seemed to be calling them as they trailed to Leicester’s fifth-minute goal and seemed devoid of inspiration in a turgid display.
But Dele Alli provided the inspiration and provided a glimpse of why Frank Lampard gambled on taking him to Merseyside with an assist in the second minute of added time.
He chased a lost cause on the right, somehow dragged the ball back to Seamus Coleman, whose blocked shot fell kindly for Richarlison to scramble home.
It was a huge goal, with Burnley standing on the shoulder of the Merseyside club in the Premier League table.
But for that late point saver, Burnley could have dragged the Toffees into the drop zone with a victory of their own this evening.
The visitors, inspired by the composed Kiernan DewsburyHall and James Maddison, largely dominated and had the chances to win easily.
Even the draw means it could get worse for an Everton side who next face a trip to Anfield on Sunday.
By then, Burnley could be two points clear of them as they play twice.
Dewsbury-Hall and Maddison controlled the game’s tempo until a frantic five minutes of added time.
Goodison Park was becalmed by Leicester’s moodkilling early goal.
Harvey Barnes turned home after simple progress down the right. With Dominic Calvert-Lewin again succumbing to injury, this time a thigh problem, Richarlison was left in an uncomfortable role with his back to goal.
One shot – the only attempt on target until those passionate dying seconds – from the Brazilian in the second half stung the palms of Kasper Schmeichel, but that was really all the relegation-haunted side mustered until added time.
Leicester had many more chances. Substitute Ademola Lookman, once of these parts, twice spurned chances in front of goal, Maddison producing a fine save from Jordan Pickford.
Yet, with the mood turning ugly, second-half substitute Alli somehow produced a moment of magic to smuggle the ball across and Richarlison almost took the roof off the old stadium.
It was an important point, given their daunting fixture list. But Lampard will know his side are far from out of that relegation mire on this display. EVERTON (4-2-3-1):Pickford 6; Coleman 7, Mina 6, Godfrey 7, Mykolenko 6; Delph 6, Allan 6 (Dele Alli 58, 6); Gray 5 (Rondon 66, 6), Gordon 7, Iwobi 6; Richarlison 5. Goal: Richarlison 90.
LEICESTER (4-3-3): Schmeichel 6; Pereira 7, Fofana 6, Evans 7, Castagne 6; Mendy 6 (Amartey 84), Tielemans 6, Dewsbury-Hall 7; Maddison 7, Iheanacho 6 (Daka 770, Barnes 6 (Lookman 67, 6). Goal: Barnes 5.