Roberto Martinez and his men knew that last years Championship’s runaway winners would be no easy prospect away from home. Everton appeared the more confident team throughout the first half, creating better chances and managing to convert two superb goals from Aiden McGeady (first competitive goal for the club) and Steven Naismith. Despite the first half dominance, the travelling Blues felt somewhat worried with a half time score line of 2-1. This was justified as substitute Chris Wood took advantage of some sloppy Everton defending to slot home the equaliser four minutes from time. Both Leicester goals stemmed from the Blues’ inability to clear the ball and mark up, uncharacteristic for the team with the third best defence in the Premier League last year.
Deja Vu for the Blues in Leicester
Yesterdays opener had a very familiar feel to it, in fact we had seen it all before. Last season began with exactly the same score line away to Norwich who were also allowed to peg the Blues back late on. Although Everton where dealing with several injuries and fitness issues for key players such as Coleman, Mirallas and Barkley they should have been more resolute in defence and been able to hold on for those final four minutes.
For those that have followed the Blues’ pre-season, will have seen this inability to keep clean sheets and difficulty in scoring. I know it doesn’t mean much but when the club haven’t had all of their first team defence on the pitch together at any one point it was not looking likely that Leicester were getting shut out. Defensive issues aside, the £28 million man Romelu Lukaku failed to make a mark in the game and must shake off the rust soon to justify Bill Kenwright’s uncharacteristic splash in the summer transfer market. Either the chairman has found the Arteta, Fellaini and Anichebe money or he’s got a great rate on his new credit card (I’m going for the latter). Nevertheless Lukaku must step up to the plate and at least reach the mark of 15 goals that he reached last year.
The most depressing moment of the day for Evertonians on this fine Saturday in the calendar was not the 86th minute Leicester equaliser, it was in fact the news that England star Ross Barkley has partially torn his medial ligament (Knee) and could be out for anywhere between six weeks and five months. The talismanic youngster will be a huge loss for Everton and leave a void that may be difficult to fill for the first few months of the season. My assumption is that either Christian Atsu or Mirallas will cover the CAM position in the young scouser’s absence.
Overall, it wasn’t the worst performance I’ve ever seen and there are positives to be taken from the game. I still fully expect Everton to be challenging for Europe come the end of the season and look forward to another season under the guidance of the man himself Roberto Martinez.
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