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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Connor O'Neill

Alex Iwobi fires blunt 'problem' message to Everton team-mates after Leicester defeat

Alex Iwobi has called on Eveton to be more clinical after they again failed to find the back of the net in their disappointing defeat to Leicester City.

Goals from Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes helped Leicester climb out of the Premier League relegation zone as a result of their 2-0 victory. The win was Brendan Rodgers’ first at Goodison Park.

But Everton did, despite being second best for large parts of the game, have chances of their own at crucial points in the match. The first fell the way of Iwobi with the game goalless before Dominic Calvert-Lewin was denied by Danny Ward with the Foxes leading 1-0.

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James Tarkowski was also denied by Ward in the first-half before substitute Anthony Gordon saw an effort blocked by the Welsh international in the closing stages.

“One team took their chances and, unfortunately, we didn’t,” Iwobi said post-match. “We had a lot of opportunities, but Leicester were the ones who were able to put it in the back of the net and we couldn’t.

“I had a chance in the first half and with their second goal we were trying to push forward so we are bound to be open at the back. Another counter-attack and they’re able to score. I felt like it was a game that could have gone either way.

“You know Leicester are good on the ball so there were going to be spells where they can dominate, but we also had our own periods of possession.

“We have strong midfielders who are able to create chances as well. It wasn’t the problem. We had a game plan and stuck with it but it wasn’t to be tonight.”

The match at Goodison was the last before the World Cup break, and although Iwobi was disappointed his side couldn't give their supporters something to shout about, he believes Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Bournemouth is an opportunity for the Blues to make amends.

“We wanted to leave something at Goodison Park before the World Cup, but we still have two games to go. We have to focus and go again," he said.

“We have a game coming up in three days, so we just have to prepare and be ready for that. That’s the best thing, that there’s another chance for us around the corner [to bounce back].”

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