The Premier League relegation fight produced an incredible slug-fest as Everton and Leicester traded a series of major blows By the end it resembled a basketball match with either team throwing caution to the wind.
Yet both clubs were still standing at the final whistle after Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jamie Vardy both scored but also missed other great chances. The draw lifts Leicester out of the drop zone on goal difference but Everton remain in bottom three.
It could have been even worse for Sean Dyche’s visitors who are the second-longest continuous serving club in the top-flight. They made a superb start as Calvert-Lewin notched from the spot but then trailed 2-1 at the break to goals from Caglar Soyuncu and Vardy. Everton then needed England keeper Jordan Pickford to save a tame penalty from James Maddison.
They salvaged a point from Alex Iwobi who volleyed home in early in the second half. But games are running out for Everton with just four left to save themselves and they are set to have to do without skipper Seamus Coleman after the Irish defender was stretchered off.
The visitors made a bright start as they went on the offensive as Idrissa Gueye had an early sight of goal. Iwobi also tested Daniel Iversen who did superbly to tip his shot over the bar.
Everton deservedly took the lead in the 15th minute after Timothy Castagne was penalised for barging over Calvert-Lewin as the striker controlled a cross from Coleman. It was a reckless foul which the forward , making only his third appearance after injury, punished from the penalty spot for just his second goal this season.
Toffees defender Michael Keane also planted a header wide as Dyche's men had Leicester on the ropes. But they failed to land a knock-out blow and Leicester levelled in the 22nd minute against the run of play.
Maddison put over a free-kick which wasn’t cleared as Harvey Barnes chipped it back in, Wout Faes contested it and Caglar Soyuncu scored with a right-foot shot on the turn despite slipping as he hit it. It was the Turkish defender’s first goal for the club since October 2021.
The goal changed the entire atmosphere as Dean Smith’s side hit the front in the 33rd minute after Youri Tielemans cut out Iwobi’s square pass. Maddison picked the ball up and sent Vardy free down the middle for the veteran striker to round Pickford and slot a left-foot shot into the net for his third Premier League goal this term.
Everton might have levelled had Iversen not made two fine saves from close range first from McNeil’s shot from six yards and then from Calvert-Lewin from even closer.
Yet Leicester only had themselves to blame for not being further in front at the break and potentially putting the game beyond the visitors. Vardy sprinted clear again before clipping a left-foot finish on to the bar . Then the Foxes were handed an even better chance when Keane handled Barnes’ cross.
Referee Oliver pointed straight to the spot but Maddison’s effort was dire and straight at Pickford in first half stoppage time. With hindsight Smith must have wished Youri Tielemans had taken it after the skipper initially had the ball.
In between Everton lost skipper Coleman who was stretchered off with a bad injury after being caught by Boubakary Soumare. Everton equalised through the much-maligned Iwobi in the 54th minute with just his second of the season. The ex-Arsenal drove in a low volley into the corner from McNeil’s cross which was flicked on by Calvert-Lewin.
Either side might then have won it as Vardy had a header off the line and also hit the side-netting while Iversen made a top stop from Abdoulaye Doucoure.
