David Nugent has retained his weekend goal at boyhood club Everton, despite a surprise enquiry from the Premier League’s Goal Accreditation Panel.
Nugent, a Goodison Park regular while growing up, notched his third league goal of the season in front of the Park End just two minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.
The goal sparked a valiant Foxes fight-back on Merseyside, as Nigel Pearson’s men recovered from Steven Naismith’s opener to level, then lead through Esteban Cambiasso. A late own goal from Matthew Upson salvaged a point for the Toffees.
Nugent’s 64th-minute goal – an opportunistic finish from fellow sub Jamie Vardy’s low cross – was reviewed by the panel to determine whether a deflection off Everton defender Seamus Coleman was decisive.
It was subsequently confirmed as a Nugent goal, meaning the Liverpool-born frontman has scored on both his returns to Merseyside this season, after hitting a superb strike at Anfield on New Year’s Day.