Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
YOUR AT FAULT THERE JORDAN
Pickford gaffe lets Tielemans steal point for Foxes
JORDAN PICKFORD’S howler gave Leicester a valuable point to reinforce their title credentials.
The Foxes produced a dominant display against a resilient Everton but looked to be heading for defeat until the England keeper once more showed his vulnerability from distance.
There seemed little danger when Youri Tielemans fired in a tame shot from outside the box, with 15 minutes remaining, but somehow the ball squirmed from Pickford’s grasp and crept into the corner of the net.
It was a moment that showed Leicester have the patience and belief to maintain their push at the top of the table – and once more underlined the weak link in Everton’s excellent rearguard.
Carlo Ancelotti had suggested that he would discover whether his side were up to the pressure that their heady position in nose-bleed territory at the business end of the table brings.
And he got his answer. The
Blues gave a battling display until Pickford’s mistake against a Leicester side who have real belief and intent.
They had arrived here at Goodison with their own impressive points tally – only one short of their best at the halfway stage of a Premier League campaign, which just happened to be the season they won the title.
They are no mugs, as their ability to create chances even without Jamie Vardy illustrated.
With Harvey Barnes a constant threat and James Maddison dangerous anywhere near the box, they posed the Mersey men problems.
Maddison produced a clever free-kick early on when he went low as the Everton wall jumped, but Yerry Mina’s long legs just averted danger. Soon after, the same player curled a teasing shot over the crossbar, with Pickford beaten. Brendan Rodgers (above) watched his side dominate, but Ancelotti’s
men showed their mettle with a disciplined defensive display, their back line made up entirely of central defenders showing aggression and blinkered intent.
As the half progressed though, Everton’s adventure rose, with James Rodriguez getting on the ball more and Lucas Digne providing a real outlet on the left side of midfield.
One fine cross gave Richarlison a chance, but his header looped over off Wesley Fofana.
Soon after, he took a ball from Andre Gomes and fed James, whose attempt at an early cross into the box came back to him from Fofana’s block. The Colombian is a world-class creative talent and an otherwise regimented Everton benefit massively from the panic he can cause. This time he danced around Fofana, stood the defender up, and curled a thing of beauty with his right foot into the far corner.
Bu Leicester responded with the intent of a top team. Blues keeper Pickford saved well from the lively Barnes and James Justin flashed inches wide.
It was Pickford’s mistake, though, that allowed the visitors back into the game…and you have to say firmly into the title argument.
Calvert-lewis had a late chance that he wasted and, in the dying minutes, Gomes could have netted a winner but allowed a corner to bounce off his knee to safety.
Everton have games in hand, courtesy of fixtures postponed because of coronavirus. And Ancelotti will believe that they can continue their climb.
For long periods they were second-best last night but they showed a resilience under their Italian manager that they have lacked for so long.
At this rate, with their Mersey rivals Liverpool continuing to flounder, it will be no real surprise if they finish above the Reds – and what odds could you have got about that at the beginning of the season?