Everton’s hopes of avoiding relegation were handed a significant boost following their win at Leicester City.
The Blues claimed a huge 2-1 victory over the Foxes in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. First-half goals from Vitalii Mykolenko and Mason Holgate, either side of a Patson Daka strike, sealed a big three points for Frank Lampard's side.
The Blues are now 16th in the table and one point above the relegation places with a game in hand on both Burnley and Leeds United, who are also in danger of joining Watford and Norwich City in the drop.
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Next up for Everton is a trip to newly relegated Watford on Wednesday. But for now, let's look at what the national media, along with our Joe Thomas, made of the win at the King Power Stadium.
John Percy, via The Telegraph
“Frank Lampard’s rescue mission with Everton is gathering momentum and a first away victory in over eight months could prove a defining moment in their troubled season. Lampard’s experiences away from Goodison Park have been excruciating since his appointment in January, with seven successive defeats on the road, but this performance included all the qualities required in a relegation scrap.
“Jordan Pickford, their goalkeeper, was outstanding with a number of fine saves while Lampard’s outfield players displayed fight and hunger to follow up last weekend’s win over Chelsea with three vital points.
“After Burnley’s defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday, and Leeds’s implosion against Arsenal, Everton hoisted themselves out of the bottom three into 16th place, with a game in hand on their rivals. The 3,301 Everton fans were noisy throughout, driving their team on with regular renditions of Spirit of the Blues , and the importance of Everton’s first away win since August 28 cannot be overestimated.”
Tom Collomosse, via Mail Online
“Frank Lampard's hailed Jordan Pickford as one of the world's best after the England goalkeeper's spectacular saves earned Everton another vital win in their battle for Premier League survival. Everton won away from home for the first time since August to seal back-to-back wins and climb out of the relegation zone – and they will fancy their chances of making it three victories in a row at relegated Watford on Wednesday.
“Ukrainian star Vitalii Mykolenko gave Everton an early lead and though Patson Daka equalised for Leicester, Mason Holgate – who declared himself fit only hours before the game after illness – restored the visitors' advantage on the half-hour, and Pickford's efforts ensured they held on to it.
“The 3,301 travelling Everton fans were in joyous mood but Leicester were booed off at half-time and full-time. They are now without a win in five in the league and after losing in the Europa Conference League to Roma, their campaign is drifting to a disappointing end.”
Ben Fisher, via The Guardian
“Fifteen minutes after the final whistle a bouncing, hazy blue away end resembled something of a pub lock‑in and Frank Lampard said he understood the Everton fans’ reluctance to make tracks home after watching their team record a precious victory in the fight for Premier League survival.
“After all, they had a first win away from Goodison Park since August to cherish and, better still, victory hoisted Everton to 16th, a point above the relegation zone with the advantage of a game in hand on those below them. Even a calamitous mix-up between Yerry Mina and Séamus Coleman, which allowed Patson Daka to cancel out Vitalii Mykolenko’s stunning volley, would not tarnish this day out, with Mason Holgate exposing Leicester’s vulnerabilities at set pieces to head in a winner.
“Four days since Tammy Abraham powered in at a corner to send Leicester packing in the Europa Conference League at the Stadio Olimpico, Brendan Rodgers was left with another agonising clip to pore over. Richarlison crashed a free header towards goal from the former Leicester winger Demarai Gray’s outswinging corner and, with Kasper Schmeichel unable to palm the ball to safety, Holgate feasted on the rebound. For Everton, who again had Jordan Pickford to thank for a catalogue of fine saves – arguably the best of which prevented Nampalys Mendy from finding the top corner with a curling shot – successive victories for the first time since September breathes life into their hopes of staying up with four games to play, the first a trip to relegated Watford on Wednesday.”
Joe Thomas, via the Liverpool Echo
“Everton's fight for Premier League survival has been dominated by the actions of familiar heroes. There has been Jordan Pickford and his outrageous saves against Manchester United and Chelsea. There has been Richarlison, and his vital goals against Leicester City, Burnley and elsewhere.
“And there have been the supporters - whose passion, whose desire and whose dedication today provided the soundtrack for a remarkable victory against Leicester City. Time and time again they have lifted the Blues from the pits of despair.
“But, quietly, in recent weeks, a new protagonist has grown in stature, his improving performances an underlying factor in Everton's refusal to sink into the Championship without a fight.
“Vitalii Mykolenko could not have endured a more difficult arrival on Merseyside. After the invasion of the Ukraine star's homeland no-one could have questioned him had he not played again this season. There is more to life than football. He has chosen, valiantly, to carry on and, in doing so, played a crucial role in the club's ongoing battle for safety. His bravery and determination had already earned the adoration of Everton supporters. It felt, however, as though he just needed a crowning moment to signal to the world his elevation in status at Goodison Park.”
