Late Richarlison Leveller Denies Leicester Three Points
Manager Brendan Rodgers assembled a much-changed XI for the clash with the Toffees. For a fourth match in succession, a fresh defence took to the field, with only Kasper Schmeichel, Papy Mendy, Youri Tielemans and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall remaining from Sunday's defeat by Newcastle United.
Ahead of kick-off on Merseyside, everyone at Goodison Park observed a moment’s applause in memory of former Everton forward Jimmy Harris, who sadly passed away on Sunday aged 88.
Just 20 seconds into the game, only a well-timed, last-ditch challenge from Everton captain Séamus Coleman denied Dewsbury-Hall a one-on-one with Jordan Pickford. Less than four minutes later, the Foxes were ahead.
A superb raking pass from Schmeichel located Ricardo Pereira down the right flank. The Portuguese located James Maddison, whose cross into the box was stabbed at by Kelechi Iheanacho. The No.14's attempt was blocked, but Academy graduate Barnes was there to tuck home for his ninth goal of the season across all formats.
Chances continued to flow. Iheanacho teed up Maddison, who saw his placed attempt held by Pickford, while on 17 minutes, Richarlison - in a bid to draw Frank Lampard's men level - directed Anthony Gordon's delivery off target. Tielemans got in the way of former Fox Demarai Gray's drive not long after, with both teams venturing forward at every opportunity.
Good defending from Timothy Castagne denied Richarlison, and again from Tielemans to cut out the Brazil international's cut-back. Yerry Mina was then on hand to get his body in front of a left-footed shot from Maddison, ahead of Richarlison's flicked header from a Gray pass.
A well-worked corner from the Toffees came on the stroke of half-time, however after Alex Iwobi's return pass found Gray, the No.11 bent his attempt inches wide of Schmeichel's left-hand post. Opportunities were arriving in spells, but neither side managed to find the game's second goal before the break.
Five minutes into the second half, Iwobi lifted an attempt into the Gwladys Street End from range, and then diverted Gray's low delivery over as Everton began to feel their way into the clash. The Foxes' first substitution of the night followed, with Ademola Lookman replacing goalscorer Barnes.
Shortly after, Schmeichel made a significant stop to prevent Richarlison from driving home a leveller with just over 20 minutes to play. Pickford was then alert to Maddison's powerful strike as either side looked to influence the result in the closing stages on Merseyside.
A deflected Iheanacho attempt came on the 70th minute, and that proved to be the Nigerian's last contribution - on came Patson Daka with a little more than 10 minutes to go. The Zambia star made an immediate impact as he set up Maddison, who twisted and turned, but struck the side-netting after jinking past Vitalii Mykolenko.
The decision was a corner, taken by Dewsbury-Hall and met by the head of Wesley Fofana, however the France Under-21s international glanced wide of the mark. Schmeichel then clung onto Mina's header at the other end as Everton continued their quest to restore parity.
After Richarlison earned a corner, the Toffees No.7 had a huge chance to make it 1-1, but he sent Gordon's in-swinger off target while under pressure in the six-yard box. Rodgers moved to introduce Daniel Amartey, with Senegal's Mendy the man to make way.
City were dangerous on the counter-attack as the game headed to its climax. Fabian Delph made sure Maddison's attempt wouldn't trouble Pickford, who would later gather a Dewsbury-Hall pass to the near post. Up front for Leicester, Daka was battling away, and was twice fouled by Mina, with one challenge earning the Colombian a booking.
Substitute Salomón Rondón nodded Gordon's corner off target with a minute of normal time to play, while Richarlison was wayward with a header of his own, this time from much further out. A minimum of five minutes of added time would follow.
Everton's pressure continued, with Amartey standing up to Coleman's shot, and while the Foxes looked to have done enough to earn all three Premier League points, Lampard's outfit would strike a late blow. Richarlison was the man to scramble home a leveller in injury time at Goodison Park.
Major moment
Although the Foxes looked in control for much of the 90 minutes, repelling much of the Everton attack, Richarlison bundled home in time added on to claim a point for the hosts. Harvey Barnes had opened the scoring early on, however it wasn't enough for City to win on the road.
Who impressed?
Speaking from the pressbox at Goodison Park, 1997 League Cup winner Simon Grayson told LCFC Radio: "For large parts there were good performances. Papy Mendy was very good in midfield, Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana coped comfortably but again Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was instrumental and did a lot of good things. He showed composure, work ethic and hunger, so he’s my Man of the Match tonight."
Where do we stand?
The Foxes are ninth in the Premier League standings. They have collected 41 points from their 31 outings in 2021/22.
Coming up...
Aston Villa are the visitors to King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off) in the Premier League ahead of a UEFA Europa Conference League Semi-Final first leg encounter with Roma on the same soil five days later (8pm kick-off).
The details...
All times BST.