Everton were handed a defeat in their recent Premier League match as they were beaten by Leicester City.
The Blues lost 2-0 to the Foxes at Goodison Park on Saturday night, thanks to goals from Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes. Everton are now in 15th place in the Premier League table with one fixture left to play before the World Cup.
Frank Lampard’s side will now prepare to face Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup in midweek, before facing the Cherries again in the league next weekend.
VERDICT: Everton freeze under the lights as worrying summer question remains for Frank Lampard
PLAYER RATINGS: Everton player ratings as Alex Iwobi and Idrissa Gueye try but three stars bad
TALKING POINT: Frank Lampard squad message cannot hide nervous truth after Everton defeat
Plenty of national media outlets were in attendance to watch Everton’s defeat to Leicester. Here is a round-up of what they had to say.
Joe Bernstein, via Mail Online
“James Maddison still might not get into Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad but he couldn’t have done any more in his final audition before Thursday’s announcement.
“Maddison not only provided both assists as Leicester climbed out of the relegation zone all the way up to 13th. He also dictated play and got into areas to be a real goal threat. None of his five shot in the first half were too far away, and he got even closer in the second, striking the outside of the post.
“It was easy to see why Leicester’s owners kept faith in Brendan Rodgers when they were bottom of the table. They were class apart from a strangely lethargic Everton and are now above them on goal difference.
“Goalkeeper Danny Ward, who will be in goal for Wales against Qatar, has kept four clean sheets in five, aided by The Foxes excellent new centre-half Wout Faes.
“Youri Tielemans strike for the opening goal – a 25-yard half-volley after controlling on his knee - was just as stunning as his wondrous volley at Wolves.
“In contrast, Dominic Calvert-Lewin can forget about Qatar. Hoping to make a late dash into the squad after returning from injury, he missed a golden chance to equalise and then went down after an hour before limping off.
“Leicester were dominant from the opening whistle. Maddison tested the goal whenever he was close and Jordan Pickford had to narrow the angle to deny Patson Daka.
“Everton were more direct but also occasionally threatened. Alex Iwobi missed the first chance of the game while James Tarkowski’s towering header was turned aside by Ward.”
Chris Bascombe, via The Telegraph
“If Gareth Southgate’s omission of James Maddison from his World Cup plans has thus far been considered contentious, if it extends another week it will be borderline obscene.
“Should Southgate still not be convinced by surely the technically efficient and - more pertinently - in-form attacking midfielder in the country, perhaps Harry Kane will offer a gentle nudge on his behalf over the next few days.
“How Kane would have relished one of the many perfectly weighted through balls provided by the Leicester City midfielder in a majestic performance at Goodison Park, guiding his side to a 2-0 win.
“Youri Tielemans’ joining in the nearby firework display with a rocket of his own was the momentum shift, but generally Everton were led a merry dance down Maddison Avenue. The final, lingering image was of Maddison teeing up Harvey Barnes for Leicester’s second on 87 minutes, underlining the visitors greater threat and poise.
“They say the league table does not lie. On this evidence Leicester’s starting position in the bottom three has been a barometer of false news. They have far too much quality to be worried about a relegation battle when the season has settled down.
“A replay of Maddison’s most beguiling individual performance being dispatched to St George’s Park ought to be the last, conclusive proof that Maddison is the ‘X-factor’ footballer that can transform Southgate’s options. It is impossible to imagine 26 England players who are performing at this level at the moment.”
Ian Whittell, via The Times
“James Maddison added fuel to the populist groundswell demanding his inclusion in the England World Cup squad as he helped Leicester climb out of the bottom three at Goodison Park, but whether that movement has any impact on Gareth Southgate’s decision making remains to be seen.
“In all likelihood Maddison will be left behind while his national team mates fly off to the Middle East. But against an error-prone Everton, Maddison set up both Leicester goals, while providing the latest in a series of performances that hint at his potentially elite Premier League talent.
“After creating a stunning first half opener for Youri Tielemans, Maddison repeated the feat four minutes from time when he darted forward and laid the ball off for Harvey Barnes who did well to check and create space before scoring with a 15-yard strike that lifted his team above Everton in the table.
“Tielemans opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, no more than Leicester deserved for their ambitious part in an entertaining first half. It was Maddison who turned in an explosive first half and the Leicester midfielder played his role in Tielemans’ opener. A Barnes cross found Patson Daka whose shot was blocked, the ball falling to Maddison who played it out of the area to Tielemans, lurking unmarked 20 yards from the Everton goal. A neat touch on his knee, a stunning volley and the ball flew past Jordan Pickford for a lead that Leicester had threatened from the opening seconds.”
Andy Hunter, via The Guardian
“The Leicester revival continues, and in spectacular style. Youri Tielemans added another superb goal to his rich catalogue as Brendan Rodgers’ side soared out of the relegation zone with a highly accomplished victory at Everton.
“Harvey Barnes added a late second after starting and finishing a devastating counterattack in which he received James Maddison’s ball inside the area, spun away from Abdoulaye Doucouré, and swept an emphatic finish beyond Jordan Pickford. Maddison impressed throughout as Rodgers’ savoured his first Premier League win at Goodison Park, a third victory in four matches and yet another clean sheet.
“It was remarkable the game remained goalless until Tielemans’ fabulous strike just before half-time. The glut of clear-cut chances started within seconds of kick-off when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall broke down the left and crossed for the lively Maddison, who side-footed wide of the far post.
“There was still an opportunity for Patson Daka to convert but, unmarked and at full stretch, the striker was just unable to connect. Maddison and Dewsbury-Hall combined again to play Daka through an exposed defence. His low shot on the turn was stopped by the fingertips of Pickford.
“The hosts should have led from their first genuine attack. Idrissa Gana Gueye engineered it with a sharp tackle to dispossess Boubakary Soumaré just outside the Leicester area.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin collected the loose ball and sent Alex Iwobi scurrying into space behind Wout Faes. Iwobi had only Danny Ward to beat but placed his shot inches wide of the far post.”
READ NEXT:
Dominic Calvert-Lewin forced off as Everton handed double injury concern
Rate the Everton players in the 2-0 defeat to Leicester City
- What Everton will do after the World Cup as Frank Lampard outlines fitness plan
- How iconic Goodison Park feature will be incorporated into new Everton stadium
- Why Rafael Benitez wanted Everton to sell Alex Iwobi
