Everton 2 Leicester City 1 – 4 Things We Learned

Everton won their first game of 2018 with a hard fought but well deserved win over Leicester City. Here are 4 things that we noticed in the match at Goodison Park.

Captain Coleman

The return of Seamus Coleman provided a massive lift to Evertonians. The Irishman has been sorely missed since his horrific leg break for Ireland last year. His barnstorming runs up the right flank have been a huge part of Everton’s attacking threat over the years. His absence, coupled with the lack of a threat from the left hand side, have left Everton toothless over the last year. There were encouraging signs of a new right sided partnership with Theo Walcott against Leicester.

One run epitomised what Everton have missed over the last 10 months. With 90 minutes on the clock, Coleman won a challenge near his penalty area. Showing all of his determination, he moved his tired legs forward one last time, taking the ball past Fuchs and into the final 3^rd of the field. Unfortunately failed to reach Calvert-Lewin but that is not important. This run took the pressure of Everton and killed off Leicester. Coleman saluted the Street End after the game. He had given a captain’s performance.

Captain Courageous

When Phil Jagielka hangs up his boots, Seamus Coleman should be his successor. On the pitch, he gives is all and plays with an intensity second to none. He can continue to play at this level for another 5 years at 29. Off the pitch, he us humble, loyal and genuinely loves Everton.  He is a great ambassador for the club and is a credit to himself and his family. He plays football the Everton way.

Theo Shows His Worth

Theo Walcott, Coleman’s partner on the right flank, has made a bright start to his Everton career. Everyone knew about his speed and finishing, but Walcott showed intelligence and commitment during the game against Leicester. The former Arsenal man scored 2 great goals but another incident highlighted a lesser appreciated part of his game.

20 minutes in, Leicester had cleared a corner and were breaking through Okazaki. Walcott had spotted the danger and tackled the Japanese star by the half way line. This gave his team mates time to get back and nullified the threat of Vardy open the break. Walcott’s energy and pace caused constant problems for Leicester. A repeat performance against his former club this weekend would be most welcome.

Davies and Gueye Lead the Way

Everton have struggled to find balance in the midfield area this season but may have found their best combination against Leicester. Tom Davies and Idrissa Gueye returned to the starting 11 and added instant energy to the line-up. Everton’s success against Leicester came as a result of effective pressing. Davies, Gueye, Walcott, Niasse and Sigurdsson gave Leicester a torrid time in possession. Everton’s first goal came from pressing Leicester into a mistake and gave the team confidence.

Gueye and Davies energy can be contrasted with the slower nature of Morgan Scheiderlin who operates deeper. It also helps Wayne Rooney play in a deeper position which makes use of the number 10’s vision. Rooney was unlucky not to pick out Walcott in the first half with a couple of through balls. Unfortunately, he does not have the legs to dominate a midfield anymore and tires before the full 90 minutes. Gueye and Davies give Rooney the ability to sit deeper and pick out a pass whilst harassing the opposition. This game will give them a good confidence boost and food for thought for Allardyce.

Keane is Mustard?

Whilst his new teammates were beating Leicester, Elaquim Mangala was finalising his loan from Manchester City. This coincided with one of the better performances by an Everton centre half partnership this season. Jagielka and Keane looked composed for the majority of the game and nullified the threat of Vardy. That being said, Everton looked very shaky after the penalty and were lucky not to concede an equaliser. Mangala will give Allardyce another option to look at and a potential long term partner for Michael Keane.

Michael Keane has had a difficult start to his Everton career. From the difficulty of the first 6 fixtures, to the firing of the manager who bought him, it has not been the ideal start for the former Burnley man. He has also been playing through a nasty foot injury for a few months which has affected his form. Keane put all of that behind him against Leicester and showed why Everton spent that money on him. Perhaps benefiting from a safety first approach, Keane kept it simple and read the game expertly. He martialled the dangerous Vardy well and kept his passes simple.

A Lesson From History

In 1986, Everton signed Dave Watson. He came from a smaller club for a lot of money and struggled initially. The crowd were on his back as he had replaced the popular Derek Mountfield and Howard Kendall dropped him. He returned to the first team at the turn of the year and became a club legend. Unlike Watson, Keane didn’t come into a title winning side. Instead, he came into a side struggling for identity and confidence. His injury hasn’t helped but he seems to be settling down now. People have mentioned that they don’t realise how big a club Everton is until they have joined it. Hopefully Keane can go on to have a career like Waggy did.

Would you make Coleman captain? Is Keane the centre back for the future? Did you notice anything else against Leicester? Let us know in the comments section below.