Leicester hit back to draw with Everton as both sides remain winless
By Sunny Badwal, PA
Leicester and Everton remain winless in the Premier League after Stephy Mavididi’s strike cancelled out Iliman Ndiaye’s opener in a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium.
Everton have made a habit of taking the lead over recent matches and did so again when Ndiaye notched his first Premier League goal.
Sean Dyche’s men were the better team in the first period and deservedly held the lead heading into the break as boos rang round the stadium on Darren England’s half-time whistle.
Everton are yet to win on the road in 2024, their last victory being over Burnley in December, thanks to Mavididi’s second-half strike.
Everton relinquished a third lead in three consecutive league games but at least held on to register their first point of the season.
James Garner, James Tarkowski and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were doubtful ahead of kick-off but their inclusion was a boost for the Toffees while Bilal El Khannouss was handed a first Leicester start as both sides looked for a first victory.
Everton started brightly but Ndiaye slammed the ground in frustration as the unmarked Jesper Lindstrom shanked wide from his pinpoint cross towards the back stick.
Everton looked especially menacing down the left and cashed in on their early dominance.
Ashley Young missed the decisive penalty for Everton’s cup loss in midweek but the opener was all about him – his defence-splitting pass allowing Ndiaye to stroke past Mads Hermansen and in off the post.
Everton were denied a second after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s blocked shot came out to Lindstrom and his follow-up was blasted straight at Hermansen.
A torrential downpour hit the King Power Stadium, which matched the mood of some fans as murmurs of discontent started to rain down from parts of the stands.
Leicester’s best opening of the half came when Mavididi’s mis-hit cross almost caught Pickford out, the England goalkeeper scrambling to save the ball from going over the line at the front post.
Steve Cooper’s side continuously got caught with their high defensive line – the impressive Ndiaye latching onto a counter and playing in McNeil, who dragged wide of the target with another good chance for the visitors.
It is no secret that Everton are delicate from winning positions and Hermansen denied Calvert-Lewin from inside the area to keep those doubts over a first victory lingering.
Leicester grew into the contest and almost had an equaliser – Mavididi’s dancing feet fashioning an opportunity for Caleb Okoli but his close-range header was high and wide.
Everton began to sit deeper and paid the price.
Abdoulaye Doucoure’s miscued clearance gave the hosts a corner which bounced the way of Mavididi, who bundled home from close range.
The game turned scrappy in the final minutes, but it was Leicester who threatened the winner, the ball falling kindly for Facundo Buonanotte, who saw his goalbound volley blocked.
