Everton scored a dramatic stoppage time equaliser through Richarlison to secure what could be a precious point against Leicester City at Goodison Park but here’s a look at some of the aspects of the match that might have flown under the radar with our moments missed.
Leaders of men
It was noticeable to see just how much coaching from the sidelines both manager Frank Lampard and his backroom staff were doing during the Leicester City game and in fairness it was the kind of game in which such instruction was required. Lampard had already pointed out before kick-off that the Foxes would represent a rather different test than Manchester United in the previous fixture and it quickly became apparent that was the case.
Everton got off to the worst possible start by conceding to Harvey Barnes’ goal just five minutes in. Of course going 1-0 down early on is bad news in any game but the way that Leicester City play, it was particularly troublesome here as the visitors, comfortable and relaxed in possession, were then able to stroke the ball around with ease and probe into the numerous pockets of space that were being created across the pitch.
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It was clear that something needed to change and this was not a time for waiting and seeing how things developed. Lampard was proactive though and after a conversation with assistant manager Joe Edwards, there was a visible shift with the Blues not pressing as deep when attacking.
In the latter stages of the second half it was noticeable just how much instruction was coming from the sidelines, particularly from Lampard and first team coach Paul Clement. Lampard is smart enough to realise that while he’s the big name to spearhead operations, this is a collaborative effort and he surrounds himself with students of the game rather than mere ‘yes men’ and between them all, they were all playing their part.
Late show
It was indicative of how late we are in the season as Everton faced Leicester City for the first time this term – they’ll do it all again at the King Power Stadium in little more than a fortnight’s time – that this midweek game under the lights at Goodison Park actually kicked-off before the sun went down over Merseyside but it was still well and truly dark by the time Richarlison finally found the net. The Blues have developed a handy knock of scoring goals in the latter stages of matches and it’s encouraging to see that they are at least fighting until the end.
Everton have now bagged nine goals in the final 15 minutes of matches which is their most prolific period while in contrast their fewest have been the first 15 minutes when they’ve netted just twice. This was also the second time in their last three games at Goodison that the hosts had struck in second half stoppage time, with goals from Alex Iwobi and Richarlison securing them an additional three points.
Too often, the Blues aren’t starting on the front foot but they’re somehow finding a way – with the help of the crowd – to get themselves back into fixtures and it just goes to show that you should never leave early as for all their struggles, the team are pushing right to the end.
Unsung heroes
The role of a couple of Everton’s unsung heroes shouldn’t be overlooked in their late equaliser as they both came off the bench to make vital contributions. When Dele Alli entered the fray on 58 minutes in what looked like a left-field move given that he’d only totalled 85 minutes of action off the bench in five previous appearances since his transfer deadline day move from Tottenham Hotspur and hadn’t featured for five weeks, eyebrows were raised.
One voice in the Press Box described it as a ‘Hail Mary’ or even a Football Manager computer game-type move but while the 26-year-old still looked to struggle with the pace of the game at times, he remains a supreme talent who is gifted enough to come up with magic moments. It was his cross that led to the Blues’ stoppage time equaliser but there was still work to be done by Salomon Rondon, who had been brought on eight minutes later.
The Venezuelan striker is never going to be overly easy on the eye in terms of his playing style and having been brought to the club by Rafa Benitez, a manager he previously worked under at both Newcastle United and Chinese side Dalian Pro, he’s an easy target for being synonymous with the struggles associated with the former Liverpool manager’s short, unpopular and deeply unsuccessful Goodison tenure. However, he’s the kind of experienced campaigner who can help you out in the kind of scrap that Everton find themselves in and that seasoned build-up play with his back to goal in the area produced the deft touch that fed Richarlison, who for his part, ended up in a scramble in the back of the net trying to retrieve the ball before defiantly marching back with it to the centre-circle, indicative of his hope there was still time to find a winner.
Interested observers
Along with managerless Burnley, who were denied the opportunity to dump Everton into the bottom three by potentially beating Southampton, there were several interested observers in Goodison itself, not least the Blues’ typically boldly-dressed midfielder Tom Davies. The home-grown hero has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on an injured hamstring in January and was duly removed from the updated squad list for the rest of the campaign but he was cheering on his team-mates from the sidelines.
While the top half of his ensemble seemed to pay homage to northern, working class garb of yesteryear as he sported a flat cap, muffler scarf and long black overcoat, a pair of wide-legged trousers with white speckle design, prompted broadcaster Richard Keys to remark: “Somebody’s been painting the kitchen!” What might be more concerning for Evertonians though is the injury absence of Davies’ fellow fashionista Dominic Calvert-Lewin who has also been ruled out for Sunday's Merseyside Derby.
Everton’s number 9 has completed just six of a possible 36 matches so far in 2021/22 and this must be one of the many factors that have conspired to make this the club’s worst equivalent points-per-game top flight season in their history at this stage. Previously such a durable player and netted 21 goals last season in all competitions including 16 in the Premier League but has scored just once this term from open play.
It certainly must have been food for thought for director of football Kevin Thelwell as he was also spotted deep in conversation with former manager Joe Royle who was the last Blues boss to deliver a trophy way back in 1995. If Everton can survive this nightmare campaign, there’s still plenty of work to do over the summer with the need for more players who can be depended upon.
