LAMPS LIT UP
Toffees boss in heaven after Pickford helps to ease fears
IT WAS party time for Everton’s long-suffering travelling fans as they claimed another crucial win.
Manager Frank Lampard punched the air in delight while the players celebrated in a way that would have been unthinkable just a couple of weeks ago.
The picture suddenly looks very different and while the joyous scenes may
be premature, the Toffees appear to have discovered the escape route.
They are out of the bottom three, having leapfrogged Burnley and Leeds, and possess the luxury of a game in hand.
Seamus Coleman jumped into Jordan Pickford’s arms at the end, Lampard embraced his England keeper – and no wonder why.
Pickford pulled off three vital stops towards the end when Everton were desperately trying to hang on to the hard-earned lead given them by first-half goals from Vitaliy Mykolenko and
Mason Holgate. The saves ensured the Toffees built on last week’s shock victory over Chelsea to make it back-to-back wins for only the second time this campaign.
Everton fans have had to wait a long time to go home celebrating anything, having last won on their travels back in August.
But what a victory this was and, although it was thoroughly deserved, Pickford had to play a full part.
Pick of the bunch was his 64th-minute flying save to claw a
Nampalys Mendy shot out of the top corner.
Minutes later he scrambled to his left to deny Harvey Barnes and then made a one-handed stop to thwart the same player. And that proved to be enough.
The visitors went in 2-1 up after a pulsating first half.
Lampard’s men took the lead in spectacular fashion when Mykolenko smashed home an unstoppable early volley from the edge of the penalty box.
Everton supporters have not had a lot to cheer about in recent weeks but they brought the house down as the Ukrainian peeled away to celebrate.
Before the goal went in, the visitors had a scare when only a great block by Yerry Mina stopped
Patson Daka’s angled shot sliding in after three minutes. Lampard’s men were not in front for long, though.
They shot themselves in the foot with a comical collision that left Daka clear on goal.
Coleman clattered into the back of Mina as he tried to collect an awkward dropping ball, allowing Daka to pounce.
Everton then restored their lead when Demarai Gray’s corner on the half-hour was nodded goalwards by Richarlison.
Kasper Schmeichel got down well to save but the ball bobbled up and Holgate could hardly believe his luck as he powered home a header from close range.
LEICESTER (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel 7; Amartey 6, Fofana 7, Evans 7, Castagne 6; Mendy 7 (Vardy 66, 6), Tielemans 6; Perez 5 (Barnes 46, 6), Dewsbury-Hall 6, Daka 7 (Lookman 80); Iheanacho 7. Goal: Daka 11.
EVERTON (5-4-1): Pickford 8; Iwobi 7, Coleman 7, Mina 5 (Keane 16, 6), Holgate 7, Mykolenko 7 (Kenny 66, 6); Gordon 7, Doucoure 7, Delph 6, Gray 7 (Rondon 73); Richarlison 7. Goals: Mykolenko 6, Holgate 30.
EVERTON’S RUN-IN: Wed: Watford (a); Sun: Brentford (h); May 19: Crystal Palace (h); May 22: Arsenal (a).