The verdict on whether Richarlison made a crucial or costly contribution against Leicester may not be returned until Everton’s final league position is decided but, having stared at a damaging defeat from the fifth minute to the 92nd, Frank Lampard understandably took the optimistic view.
Richarlison could have had a hat‑trick in a game where Leicester’s superiority in possession failed to translate into clearcut opportunity beyond Harvey Barnes’s early goal. The Brazil international had to settle for a scuffed stoppage-time equaliser instead, bringing relief to a tense Goodison Park with the 50th goal of his Everton career.
