Richarlison salvages point but turgid Toffees still in danger
EVERTON dragged themselves out of a deep mire of their own making with a last-gasp leveller at Goodison Park last night.
That mire was the threat of the relegation zone, which appeared to be calling them as they trailed to a fifthminute goal from Leicester and seemed devoid of inspiration in a largely turgid display.
But it was Dele Alli who provided the spark, and gave a glimpse of why Frank Lampard gambled on bringing him to Merseyside, with an assist in the second minute of stoppage time.
He chased a lost cause on the right, somehow pulled the ball back to Seamus Coleman and when the skipper’s blocked shot fell kindly to Richarlison the Brazilian scrambled it home.
It was a huge goal, with Burnley menacingly on Everton’s shoulder.
But for that late point-saver, the Clarets could have sucked the Blues into the drop zone with a victory of their own this evening.
Leicester, inspired by the composed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and purring
James Maddison, largely dominated and had enough chances to win easily.
And even the draw means it could get worse for an Everton side who on Sunday have a daunting trip to Anfield. By then, Burnley - who will have played twice - could be two points clear.
Dewsbury-Hall looks a rare talent with England prospects, and he and Maddison controlled the tempo of this contest until the frantic five minutes of stoppage time.
Before that finale, Goodison Park had become becalmed by Leicester’s moodkilling early goal. It was too easy,
Harvey Barnes turning home after simple progress down the right.
Lampard must ask why his side did not turn up earlier in the contest.
Yet with Dominic Calvert-Lewin again succumbing to injury, this time a thigh problem that keeps him out for a fortnight, Richarlison was left in an uncomfortable role – for him – of trying to hold the ball up 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 did not beat him and that was really all the relegationhaunted side mustered until stoppage time.
The Foxes had many more opportunities, substitute Ademola Lookman twice spurning chances in front of goal and Maddison producing a fine save from Jordan Pickford. Yet with it looking grim for the home side and the mood turning ugly as the dark descended, Dele, a second-half substitute, somehow produced a moment of magic to smuggle the ball across and Richarlison and trigger an explosion of delight which almost took the roof off the stadium.
This was an important point given Everton’s daunting fixture list in the run-in.
But Lampard will be well aware that based on this dislay, his men are far from out of trouble.