Prince Rupert's Tower
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Everton snare Foxes and secure second straight clean sheet

By Matt Townsend

Everton's English defender Mason Holgate (2R) scores his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Everton at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on December 16, 2020. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton's English defender Mason Holgate (2R) scores his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Everton at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on December 16, 2020. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Everton continued their excellent form of last weekend as they defeated Leicester City 2-0 tonight and secured a second consecutive clean sheet.

Going into this match the question was whether Everton could replicate the kind of determined and energetic display that had brought them three points against Chelsea.

The answer was yes and even more significantly the Toffees kept another team out and managed a second straight clean sheet for the first time this season.

The only negative was a first-half injury to midfielder Allan who came off with a suspected hamstring problem. If that’s the case he will be a big miss and this latest injury will cause Carlo Ancelotti yet more selection headaches.

The Blues boss stuck to the same side that had overcome Chelsea, with the only exception being goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who was replaced by Robin Olsen.

It was the home team who started the brighter and they had an early chance, but just like on Saturday it was Everton who went ahead as Richarlison scored after a trademark cut inside from the left firing in via Kasper Schmeichel’s fingertips.

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It’s good to see the Blues Brazilian star forward back among the goals. He hasn’t been quite firing recently and it’s important players other than Dominic Calvert-Lewin can find the back of the net.

This was Richarlison’s first goal in seven games. So let’s hope its the start of another overdue run of goals for the Toffees.

Everton were overall the better side in the first half, but then just before halftime they lost their midfield bulldog Allan. It’s a real blow to see him limp off and I don’t know who will replace him – we will see.

The relentlessly hard-working Brazilian was replaced by Andre Gomes and the Blues stayed solid and well organised with Abdoulaye Doucoure stepping up massively for his absent team-mate.

Indeed the Toffees defence as a whole was again superb and apart from the odd moment or two effectively snuffed out most of the Foxes attacks. Centre-back Micheal Keane in particular was again outstanding marshaling the backline.

The four defenders provided a really strong barrier to their opponents and gave Olsen good and consistent protection. Their opponents had plenty of the ball as Chelsea had done, but generally the Toffees dealt with it well.

After riding out a spell of pressure in the second half Everton went two goals ahead following a corner. Eventually after a scamble in the box, Mason Holgate put the ball in the net.

Although Gomes gave away a penalty, reversed after VAR, and Leicester had a goal ruled out, the Blues were pretty comfortable for the rest of the match and saw it out to claim another valuable three points. With that they move up to fifth back among the European places.

So two games that I thought would be a real test have yielded two wins with no goals conceded. Yes Everton had to work very hard to hold off Chelsea but they did so successfully and tonight certainly deserved to win again.

Six points so far in the hectic Christmas period is of course a perfect return. If the Blues could beat Arsenal on Saturday then what a great way to go into a Carabao Cup quarter final against Manchester United on the 23rd.