PaddyG
Player Valuation: £8m
Everton v Leicester City - Saturday 19/12/15 - 3pm
Christmas time, for me, comes with two guarantees. The first is quality time spent with family, and the second is watching Everton's annual self-destruction that accompanies the winter fixtures. On Saturday it was a familiar theme.
Kippers for breakfast was followed by a quick trip to the bookies and me, my Dad, and my brother Michael were on our way. We picked my cousin Joe up en route to the Black Horse on County Road, where we had our first round of drinks at about half 12. In the pub we met with my other cousin Laurence and a few of my Dad's friends as the festive cheer was in full flow.
Visiting Goodison was Leicester City, the surprising Premier League leaders who knew that a win against Everton would keep them top at Christmas - an incredible achievement. We spoke of how Leicester, managed by 'tinkerman' Claudio Ranieri, posed a serious threat through the pace of Jamie Vardy and skill of winger Riyad Mahrez, while central midfielder Kante' had been receiving high praise in the media. I had this one down as a score draw while my cousins were confident of an Everton victory.
2pm meant team news and Everton were unchanged with Arouna Kone once again selected ahead of Kevin Mirallas in the starting line up, suggesting that the Belgian may be sold in the January window. This was overshadowed, however, by the sad news that former Match of the Day presenter Jimmy Hill had died at the age of 87. Rest in Peace.
Five pints down, we were all now confident of an Everton win as we walked down to the ground, excited at the prospect of watching two teams that liked to attack and try and win games. The danger, however, was that in Everton coming forward it would leave space in behind the defence for in the form Premier League top scorer Vardy. But we had Romelu Lukaku, who had 7 goals in his last 7 games. I left everyone to take up their seats in the Main Stand while I met my mate Brett, who had a spare in the Lower Gwladys.
Kick Off
There was an exciting atmosphere in the ground as Leicester kicked off in in the pouring rain in front of a sold out Goodison Park. Gerard Deulofeu and Ross Barkley were causing early problems as the former whipped in a low cross with Arouna Kone ready to pounce, but the ball was steered behind by the Leicester defence. Goodison was rocking. Leicester weathered the early pressure and ventured forward themselves, winning a corner which Tim Howard refused to come for despite the delivery being inside his 6 yard box. The frustration towards the American was becoming vocal from the stands.
The game wasn't quite living up to it's billing in the first half as Leicester sat deep and chances were few and far between. Kone failed to shoot when well placed and Barkley miss-hit a volley wide of goal after good cross by Lukaku. Then, out of nowhere, a looped ball forward from Leicester saw Okasaki get the wrong side of Funes Mori and tumble to the ground inside the area. Groans greeted the referee's whistle - penalty to Leicester. Riyad Mahrez stepped up to score into the bottom corner, despite Howard going the right way.
Everton were rapid in their response. A cross from the right saw Lukaku flash a chance off target, but we were soon on the attack again. Deulofeu delivered, Kone flicked it on to the feet of Lukaku, back to Tom Cleverley who teed up Ross Barkley. Barkley's inital shot way saved, his second was cleared off the line but the ball finally fell to Lukaku who smashed home from 8 yards out. 1-1. Romelu Lukaku was now the first Everton player to score 29 goals in a calendar year since Bob Latchford did the same in 1978.
Everton pressed but I can't remember us or Leicester having another clear cut chance.
Half Time - Everton 1-1 Leicester City
There was a dance show on the pitch at half time as me and Brett paid nearly a tenner between us for a pie and a hot dog. We discussed the first half and felt that the game hadn't really opened up yet and that Leicester's number 14, Kante', looked a really good player. He was everywhere and was continuously breaking up any of Everton's momentum going forward. We thought Barkley was having a good game but Deulofeu wasn't his usual self.
The second half was underway and again Everton pressed without really opening the league leaders up. The Everton players continuously looked to Deulofeu to try and create the opening, but he was frustrated again and again by full back Fuchs who seemed to be blocking every cross. Everton had a claim for a penalty of their own turned down after calls for handball and Vardy curled wide on the breakaway after running at his England teammate John Stones.
The fans were singing 'Ohh Kevin Mirallas' to try and get the message to Roberto Martinez to make a change on the hour mark, but he remained unmoved and soon after Everton were behind. Mahrez had space in between the lines and threaded a through ball through for Vardy who rounded Howard and was brought down. Another penalty for Leicester and a yellow card for Howard. Mahrez despatched and celebrated infront of the travelling fans, who were believing that they were on their way to yet another Premier League win.
Soon after and Leicester were running away with it. An Everton throw-in deep inside their own half resulted in Coleman's clearance hitting the arm of Albrighton and bouncing kindly into the path of Vardy, who ran into the Everton penalty area. Vardy did well to pick out strike partner Okasaki who put Leicester 3-1 up with over 20 minutes left to play. A few boos rang around Goodison and a lot of fans had seemingly seen enough and were leaving early.
Everton could have been straight back in it as a long ball found Lukaku with a scoring chance, but his right footed effort flew way over the bar and into the street end. Mirallas was finally introduced along with Lennon for the poor and tiring pair Kone and Deulofeu as the Leicester defence dropped deeper and deeper. Ross Barkley had an effort deflected wide and Lukaku skied a free kick before Barkley excellent back-heeled assist found Kevin Mirallas who slammed home to make it Everton 2-3 Leicester with just a couple of minutes left on the clock.
The crowd were baying Everton on to equalise, but it was Leicester who nearly added a fourth on the counter attack, Ulloa forcing Tim Howard to save with his feet when he probably should have finished, allowing Everton time for one last chance. Mirallas had won a free kick which Baines played in low towards Barry who's blocked shot fell to Ross Barkley. Barkley's left footed effort was saved by Schmeichel and that was that.
Full Time - Everton 2-3 Leicester City
I said my goodbyes to Brett and met up with everyone back at Dixie Dean's statue to digest what we had just seen. We were all obviously disappointed by the performance and accepted that Leicester's Kante' was man of the match while I was frustrated that Martinez took so long to make a change when Deulofeu looked absolutely shattered after 60 minutes. Everton now sit in tenth and well done to Leicester who are top of the Premier League.
More disappointment as Coventry let me down for what would have been a £75 win on my footy bet and we got soaked heading back to the Black Horse. But the game was soon forgotten. We had a laugh and I met a couple of great people today and had a cherished family day out. An Everton win would have been a bonus but it is what it is and there is a lot to look forward to including a two-legged cup semi final next month.
To anyone reading this, have a great Christmas.
Christmas time, for me, comes with two guarantees. The first is quality time spent with family, and the second is watching Everton's annual self-destruction that accompanies the winter fixtures. On Saturday it was a familiar theme.
Kippers for breakfast was followed by a quick trip to the bookies and me, my Dad, and my brother Michael were on our way. We picked my cousin Joe up en route to the Black Horse on County Road, where we had our first round of drinks at about half 12. In the pub we met with my other cousin Laurence and a few of my Dad's friends as the festive cheer was in full flow.
Visiting Goodison was Leicester City, the surprising Premier League leaders who knew that a win against Everton would keep them top at Christmas - an incredible achievement. We spoke of how Leicester, managed by 'tinkerman' Claudio Ranieri, posed a serious threat through the pace of Jamie Vardy and skill of winger Riyad Mahrez, while central midfielder Kante' had been receiving high praise in the media. I had this one down as a score draw while my cousins were confident of an Everton victory.
2pm meant team news and Everton were unchanged with Arouna Kone once again selected ahead of Kevin Mirallas in the starting line up, suggesting that the Belgian may be sold in the January window. This was overshadowed, however, by the sad news that former Match of the Day presenter Jimmy Hill had died at the age of 87. Rest in Peace.
Five pints down, we were all now confident of an Everton win as we walked down to the ground, excited at the prospect of watching two teams that liked to attack and try and win games. The danger, however, was that in Everton coming forward it would leave space in behind the defence for in the form Premier League top scorer Vardy. But we had Romelu Lukaku, who had 7 goals in his last 7 games. I left everyone to take up their seats in the Main Stand while I met my mate Brett, who had a spare in the Lower Gwladys.
Kick Off
There was an exciting atmosphere in the ground as Leicester kicked off in in the pouring rain in front of a sold out Goodison Park. Gerard Deulofeu and Ross Barkley were causing early problems as the former whipped in a low cross with Arouna Kone ready to pounce, but the ball was steered behind by the Leicester defence. Goodison was rocking. Leicester weathered the early pressure and ventured forward themselves, winning a corner which Tim Howard refused to come for despite the delivery being inside his 6 yard box. The frustration towards the American was becoming vocal from the stands.
The game wasn't quite living up to it's billing in the first half as Leicester sat deep and chances were few and far between. Kone failed to shoot when well placed and Barkley miss-hit a volley wide of goal after good cross by Lukaku. Then, out of nowhere, a looped ball forward from Leicester saw Okasaki get the wrong side of Funes Mori and tumble to the ground inside the area. Groans greeted the referee's whistle - penalty to Leicester. Riyad Mahrez stepped up to score into the bottom corner, despite Howard going the right way.
Everton were rapid in their response. A cross from the right saw Lukaku flash a chance off target, but we were soon on the attack again. Deulofeu delivered, Kone flicked it on to the feet of Lukaku, back to Tom Cleverley who teed up Ross Barkley. Barkley's inital shot way saved, his second was cleared off the line but the ball finally fell to Lukaku who smashed home from 8 yards out. 1-1. Romelu Lukaku was now the first Everton player to score 29 goals in a calendar year since Bob Latchford did the same in 1978.
Everton pressed but I can't remember us or Leicester having another clear cut chance.
Half Time - Everton 1-1 Leicester City
There was a dance show on the pitch at half time as me and Brett paid nearly a tenner between us for a pie and a hot dog. We discussed the first half and felt that the game hadn't really opened up yet and that Leicester's number 14, Kante', looked a really good player. He was everywhere and was continuously breaking up any of Everton's momentum going forward. We thought Barkley was having a good game but Deulofeu wasn't his usual self.
The second half was underway and again Everton pressed without really opening the league leaders up. The Everton players continuously looked to Deulofeu to try and create the opening, but he was frustrated again and again by full back Fuchs who seemed to be blocking every cross. Everton had a claim for a penalty of their own turned down after calls for handball and Vardy curled wide on the breakaway after running at his England teammate John Stones.
The fans were singing 'Ohh Kevin Mirallas' to try and get the message to Roberto Martinez to make a change on the hour mark, but he remained unmoved and soon after Everton were behind. Mahrez had space in between the lines and threaded a through ball through for Vardy who rounded Howard and was brought down. Another penalty for Leicester and a yellow card for Howard. Mahrez despatched and celebrated infront of the travelling fans, who were believing that they were on their way to yet another Premier League win.
Soon after and Leicester were running away with it. An Everton throw-in deep inside their own half resulted in Coleman's clearance hitting the arm of Albrighton and bouncing kindly into the path of Vardy, who ran into the Everton penalty area. Vardy did well to pick out strike partner Okasaki who put Leicester 3-1 up with over 20 minutes left to play. A few boos rang around Goodison and a lot of fans had seemingly seen enough and were leaving early.
Everton could have been straight back in it as a long ball found Lukaku with a scoring chance, but his right footed effort flew way over the bar and into the street end. Mirallas was finally introduced along with Lennon for the poor and tiring pair Kone and Deulofeu as the Leicester defence dropped deeper and deeper. Ross Barkley had an effort deflected wide and Lukaku skied a free kick before Barkley excellent back-heeled assist found Kevin Mirallas who slammed home to make it Everton 2-3 Leicester with just a couple of minutes left on the clock.
The crowd were baying Everton on to equalise, but it was Leicester who nearly added a fourth on the counter attack, Ulloa forcing Tim Howard to save with his feet when he probably should have finished, allowing Everton time for one last chance. Mirallas had won a free kick which Baines played in low towards Barry who's blocked shot fell to Ross Barkley. Barkley's left footed effort was saved by Schmeichel and that was that.
Full Time - Everton 2-3 Leicester City
I said my goodbyes to Brett and met up with everyone back at Dixie Dean's statue to digest what we had just seen. We were all obviously disappointed by the performance and accepted that Leicester's Kante' was man of the match while I was frustrated that Martinez took so long to make a change when Deulofeu looked absolutely shattered after 60 minutes. Everton now sit in tenth and well done to Leicester who are top of the Premier League.
More disappointment as Coventry let me down for what would have been a £75 win on my footy bet and we got soaked heading back to the Black Horse. But the game was soon forgotten. We had a laugh and I met a couple of great people today and had a cherished family day out. An Everton win would have been a bonus but it is what it is and there is a lot to look forward to including a two-legged cup semi final next month.
To anyone reading this, have a great Christmas.
