City Collect Maiden PL2 Win At Everton

The Foxes travelled to Merseyrail Community Stadium on the back of a frustrating opening defeat by Manchester United on Monday, but recovered to seal a memorable victory over David Unsworth’s men.

It was clear from the early exchanges that City would be difficult for their hosts to break down with defensive quartet Alex Pascanu, Knight, Darnell Johnson and Connor Wood all impressing.

With Nampalys Mendy also among their ranks, Steve Beaglehole’s men started brightly but it took until the 27th minute for them to carve out their first opportunity of the match.

When captain Hamza Choudhury hurled a long throw towards Johnson at the back post, the England Under-20s international flicked his header narrowly wide.

Mendy then went close with a volley on the edge of the 18-yard box, denied by a brilliant last-ditch block by Everton skipper Jonjo Kenny.

The Toffees were always going to pose a threat on home soil after lifting the PL2 crown last term, but Beaglehole’s men held firm to limit them to breaks on the counter.

City got their due reward just before the interval when Layton Ndukwu curled a wonderful cross into the path of Knight to nod it beyond Louis Gray in the hosts’ net.

Everton emerged from the break determined to test Daniel Iversen more often and, while they succeeded in doing so, they were unable to plot a route past the Danish stopper.

In truth, it was a real team performance which won it for Leicester with every player giving their all to the cause to secure a victory which will live long in the memory.

Who impressed?

After missing out on a starting berth for Monday’s visit of Manchester United, Josh Knight delivered a performance which summed up why he is so highly thought of at Belvoir Drive.

The young defender, who grew up in Fleckney, produced two moments of brilliance – his goal and a crucial block late on – which typified his never-say-die attitude.

Key moment

While Daniel Iversen wasn’t called upon to make any scrapbook saves for the Foxes, his steady flow of assured interventions helped see out the result in Merseyside.

In the 84th minute, as the Toffees pressed forwards, the Danish ‘keeper was perfectly positioned to collect what could have been an equaliser from Jose Baxter on the half-volley.

Coming up…

It doesn’t get any easier for Beaglehole’s side with a trip to face Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on the horizon, scheduled for next Friday (7pm kick-off).

Then, it’s another long journey to Fleetwood Town for City’s opening match of the Checkatrade Trophy group stage on Tuesday 29 August.

Everton: Gray, Kenny (c), Foulds, Baningime, Connolly, Gibson, Charsley, Walsh (Feeney 62), Sambou, Evans (Baxter 55), Donkor (Jones 55).

Subs not used: Bowler, Renshaw.

City: Iversen, Pascanu, Wood, Knight, Johnson, Choudhury (c), Thomas, Mendy (Kaba Sherif 45), Muskwe, Ndukwu (Martis 77), Gordon.

Subs not used: Bramley, Watts, Debayo.

Goal: Knight 38

Referee: Peter Gibbons