Jamie Vardy’s second-half strike was enough to earn all three points for Leicester against Everton in the first Premier League game of the New Year.
Everton’s timid performance handed Marco Silva’s side their fourth loss in five games as their poor form continues. Meanwhile, the win sees the Foxes move into seventh place ahead of Wolves before their clash with Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. The win is also the Foxes third over the Christmas period putting an end to Puel’s harshly received critics; for the time being that is.
Puel’s tactics worked perfectly once more and an organised unit throughout stifled a tired Everton in front of their home crowd.
Leicester’s unthinkable Christmas
Leicester have had an emotional season after the death of club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha but the teams’ unification has been highlighted by some excellent performances over the festive spell. December has seen them beat two of the ‘big six’ while also avenging their loss at the King Power against Everton.
Their wins against Man City, Chelsea and Everton have shown how Leicester have repeatedly got tactics right this season. Their organisation and press off the ball has stopped offensive opponents from creating chances while they have capitalised on the opportunities they have created to get the right results.
This fine form has put them in with a great chance of earning a Europa League spot as they look to keep pace with Manchester United and Arsenal. Fans will feel slightly disappointed after losses to Crystal Palace and Cardiff, but ultimately their tactics have guided them through a tricky Christmas period, putting them in a strong position in the league.
Silva feeling the pressure
Marco Silva’s side once again looked defensively frail and offensively timid on Tuesday and despite putting five past a fragile Burnley on Boxing Day, they have now failed to score against Brighton and Leicester. They failed to register a shot on target until the 75th minute against Leicester and a dreadful mistake from Michael Keane led to Vardy being through on goal to open the scoring.
Although the Toffee’s have looked more than capable of unlocking most teams and getting goals this season, their defensive displays have not filled fans with confidence and Silva continues to take the risk of focusing on his offensive display rather than fixing his leaky defence – a risk he has taken throughout his managerial career.
The inconsistency will be what is annoying Everton fans as after conceding six to Spurs, they then put five past Burnley only to not score against Brighton and Leicester; form which will haunt you if you are looking for a top seven finish.
Silva dropped Yerry Mina and an out of form Seamus Coleman for Tuesday’s fixture but after conceding another sloppy goal against Leicester it looks like there is a lack of composure as a unit, not just individually. If clean sheets are to start coming there must be a focus on defensive play from Silva.
Experience at the back key to defensive display for the Foxes
Leicester’s organisation was key to victory yesterday and whilst Everton did not produce the best attacking display, fans have to give credit to their opposition. The Foxes limited Everton’s attacking options and two experienced Premier League centre-backs were at the heart of that plan.
Despite nearly having 60% of the ball, Everton only managed two shots on target in the whole game. Both of these came from the substitute Cenk Tosun. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was silenced as an attacking threat and struggled against two physically dominant defenders.
Maguire and Evans’ have been excellent for the Foxes this season and it may be a challenge to keep the pair at the club when the summer transfer window comes around.
Everton’s rotten Christmas
The Merseyside team have not been having a good season so far. What started promisingly has clearly become a season of transition. After spending around £200m in the transfer window, fans may have expected more from their side. However, this Christmas period has seen Everton’s only win in five come against Burnley.
What has been frustrating for fans over the Christmas period is losses to teams Everton probably could have beaten. Losses to Spurs and City would have been accepted but slipping up against Brighton and Leicester is highlighting glaring problems. Although Everton would not have guaranteed a win against Leicester, they would have hoped to at least pick up a point on home turf.
Their defence is the main problem at the moment. Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson have both bagged nine goals each so far this season showing their attacking play often works. Yet, Everton have conceded 12 goals in five games over this Christmas period which is not good enough.
Vardy’s class proves vital
In a fixture which lacked clear chances throughout it was the former England international who showed his class up front. Whilst Everton failed to create opportunities, Leicester only needed one. A mistake from Michael Keane opened the door and Jamie Vardy was quick to lash the ball past Jordan Pickford.
Vardy is quite clearly key to Leicester success and his goals have won Leicester six points over the Christmas period. Although he didn’t manage to score against the Champions Manchester City, his assist for Albrighton was inch-perfect and he caused Ederson and the centre-halves problems throughout. As we have seen many times these past few years, he was the difference again on the pitch and his goal was his only real chance of the game.
Man of the Match – Jamie Vardy
A fixture that will not go down as a Premier League great but a gritty and organised performance by Leicester needed someone to perfect the plan. This man was Vardy and his goal rounded off a perfect away performance.
