Everton Reverse For Leicester On Filbert Way
Returning to the Premier League after exiting the UEFA Europa Conference League at AS Roma, City were behind after six minutes through Vitaliy Mykolenko's fine volley. Patson Daka got Leicester back on level terms five minutes later, but Mason Holgate's header before the break ultimately settled matters.
There were six changes from the XI which started in Rome, with Daniel Amartey, Timothy Castagne, Papy Mendy, Ayoze Pérez, Kelechi Iheanacho and Daka returning to the line-up. There was a change in system, too, as the Foxes shaped up in a 3-5-2 formation on Filbert Way.
Brendan Rodgers' home side in fact made a positive start, with Daka forcing a last-ditch clearance from Yerry Mina, before Iheanacho tested Jordan Pickford from the angle of the six-yard box. The linesman's flag was eventually raised once the passage of play came to a close.
On six minutes, though, Frank Lampard's Toffees led. It came about as Alex Iwobi's cross landed on the laces of Mykolenko - the Ukrainian volleying it first time into the far corner. Kasper Schmeichel just about did enough to stop Abdoulaye Doucouré from doubling the Merseysiders' lead.
The Dane sparked a counter and, before too long, the ball was at Iheanacho's feet. His forward ball looped up into the heavens and a mix-up between Mina and Séamus Coleman invited Daka to race towards goal unchallenged. The Zambian switched the ball onto his left boot and cannoned it into the net.
It could have been 2-1 to City shortly after the restart, too, as Amartey elected to shoot from 30 yards, arrowing a fearsome drive inches over the crossbar. Mina, meanwhile, was forced off with an injury, as former Foxes loanee Michael Keane took the Colombia international's place on the field of play.
The game began to become bogged in a midfield quagmire midway through the first half, until Everton's second on the half-hour mark. Demarai Gray, a title winner on Filbert Way, lofted a corner into the box and, although Schmeichel parried Richarlison's initial header, Holgate was there to convert the rebound.
Leicester did go close before the break. Iheanacho, teed up by Youri Tielemans in the area, drilled his effort straight at Pickford. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall then saw a ricochet bobble wide. A reaction was needed and Harvey Barnes was introduced at the interval, replacing Pérez.
After Tielemans' miss from range, Jonny Evans stepped in bravely to get in the way of Anthony Gordon's fierce attempt at the other end. Pickford - praised for his saves during the Toffees' victory over Chelsea last weekend - then leapt across his line to turn Mendy's curler around the post.
Jamie Vardy was now on the pitch, past the hour. After Iwobi's cross was glanced over by Holgate in front of the Family Stand, Leicester advanced once again. Iheanacho's cross was headed back across goal by Daka, into Barnes, but the No.7 found Pickford in way from point-blank range.
A powerful strike from Barnes was also pushed around the base of the post once more by the England 'keeper.
The Toffees then went in search of a third. Gordon migrated the ball up the right flank for the visitors, before dragging it back to Richarlison. Castagne and Amartey, though, were there to combine and keep it out. Ademola Lookman joined the action for the last 10 minutes as the Foxes pushed forward.
Castagne's cross was headed downwards, towards the bottom far corner, by Barnes. To the disbelief of some behind the goal, it drifted narrowly the wrong side of Pickford's post. Castagne himself then headed into the Everton shot-stopper's gloves in added time, the game ending in defeat at King Power Stadium.
Major moment
Conceding a second goal just as City were striving to build some momentum after restoring parity on the scoresheet was a blow for Brendan Rodgers' men. In turn, Mason Holgate's header provided a timely boost to Everton's confidence as the Toffees battle to climb away from the bottom three.
Who impressed?
Former Foxes defender Gerry Taggart, speaking live on LCFC Radio, said: "It was a game where nobody really stood out. It was a frustrating afternoon. Patson Daka scored the goal so I'll give it to him."
Where do we stand?
Leicester are 14th in the Premier League on 42 points, with a goal difference of -7.
Coming up...
Another outing at King Power Stadium is next up as relegated Norwich City visit the East Midlands on Wednesday (7:45pm kick-off). Brendan Rodgers' men are then due at Vicarage Road to tackle Watford - also confirmed to be in the Sky Bet Championship next season - on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
The details...
All times BST.