Season › 2024-25 › News Wait for first win goes on as Everton give up another precious lead Lyndon Lloyd 21/09/2024 43comments | Jump to last Leicester 1 - 1 Everton Iliman Ndiaye's excellent goal was his first in the Premier League but Everton couldn't hold on to the lead Everton threw away another two points but at least got off the mark this season by preserving one in sodden conditions at the King Power Stadium. The Blues were a goal up through Iliman Ndiaye’s fine strike and in control when the heavens opened in the later stages of the first half and Sean Dyche’s team gradually lost their grip on the contest, eventually being undone by yet more poor set-piece defending. With players missing through injury, illness and compassionate leave, Dyche had to patch together a side from those available, with Ashley Young deployed at left-back and James Garner as an emergency full-back on the other side while there were first Premier League starts for Jesper Lindstrøm wide on the right and Orel Mangala in the centre alongside Abdoulaye Doucouré. Everton made a bright start and should have been ahead inside four minutes when Ndiaye whipped a ball in from the left that eluded Dominic Calvert-Lewin but Lindstrøm met on the volley, only to steer it wide. Article continues below video content The opening goal came just eight minutes later, though, thanks to a fine, defence-splitting ball from Young that Ndiaye collected, feinted onto his right foot and then screwed a shot off the inside of the post and into the goal from the edge of the box. With their tails up, the visitors looked a good bet to increase their lead, with Lindstrøm providing a threat down the flank and in behind. After Calvert-Lewin’s shot had been blocked, the Dane rifled the rebound goal-wards but Mads Hermansen parried it away. Jordan Pickford avoided embarrassment when he flapped Stephy Mavididi’s cross against his post and managed to keep it out but that was as close as the unconvincing Foxes would come to scoring in the first half. Instead, it was Everton who almost added to the scoreline, first when Dwight McNeil dropped the ball over the top for Calvert-Lewin but the striker wasn’t awarded anything by the atrocious Darren England despite clearly being bundled over in the “D”. Then, the impressive Mangala played Lindstrøm in on the right side of the box but, having engineered space for a shot, he sliced the ball high and wide of the target and McNeil ended the first period with an even better chance when Ndiaye put him into space but he dragged his effort across goal and off target. With rain and hail still lashing down as the delayed second half began, the Blues appeared to pick up where they left off in the first half and more dazzling footwork by Ndiaye eventually created room for a shot from the angle but he scooped it over. And, on the hour mark, Lindstrøm knocked it superbly past Wout Faes and ran into space behind the centre-half but his attempt to find the open Ndiaye was deflected by a crucial sliding intervention from a defender and the chance was lost. Leicester, who had been poor throughout began to come into the game, though, as Everton appeared to tire and become more ragged, particularly in midfield and down their right flank after Lindstrøm had been withdrawn in favour of Jack Harrison. Jordan Ayew hooked a decent chance over, Harry Winks missed from 25 yards with an attempted curler and Caleb Okoli really should have levelled with a free header but he couldn’t keep his header down from a couple of yards out. In between, Calvert-Lewin had tested Hermansen with a strong shot after McNeil had picked him out with a threaded pass but after Garner had conceded back-to-back corners, the visitors finally succumbed from a dead-ball situation. Facundo Buonanotte swung in the set-piece, the ball bounced off Wilfried Ndidi as Michael Keane and James Tarkowski jumped into each other and fell to Mavididi who fired it into the ground and high into the net to wipe out Everton’s latest lead. Ndidi might have won it but drilled wide from 20 yards and Buonanotte nearly did as Dyche’s side threatened to melt in the pouring rain but, thankfully, the Argentine’s shot struck Keane on its way to goal and the ball was eventually cleared to safety. The last chance fell to Calvert-Lewin deep into stoppage time but his finish was disappointing and the Toffees had to be content with a draw. Dyche will now prepare for the visit of Crystal Palace next weekend hoping to have a few more players back to build on this result. Though they finally registered their first point of the season and there was some encouraging attacking moments, Everton have now dropped eight from winning positions so far and their defending remains a cause for deep concern. Full match report Matchday updates and reaction Reader Comments (43) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Ian Linn 1 Posted 21/09/2024 at 18:08:17 We played better today. Leicester weren't up to much but we need to learn how to keep a lead. Denis Richardson 2 Posted 21/09/2024 at 18:23:52 First point, so improvement at least and off the bottom. About half-a-dozen sides are yet to win a game so not just us. The Palace game next week is massive. Early days still and Ndiaye looks a player. Get Branthwaire back and the defence will shore up as well. Colin Malone 3 Posted 21/09/2024 at 18:24:28 Should have been a straight swap: Iroegbunam for Doucoure.Bad subs again. David West 4 Posted 21/09/2024 at 18:41:28 We played some good stuff today. It was a lot more purposeful than just hoofing it. With Ndiaye and Lindstrom and McNeil, there's a decent support to Calvert-Lewin. Their goal was poor defending again and I thought Harrison coming on for Lindstrom just gave them the advantage down that right side. Garner, although not the best at right-back, offers good distribution and invention from there. Mangala I thought did well. Attacking is definitely our best form of defence at the moment so the subs just gave up the initiative. Shore up the defence and points will come. Si Pulford 6 Posted 21/09/2024 at 18:50:29 Yeah, bad subs for me, but he didn't exactly have a lot to choose from to be fair. I thought Lindstrom played really well in terms of link up but his finishing seems questionable. That three behind Calvert-Lewin might be something to build around. Frank Sheppard 7 Posted 21/09/2024 at 18:53:18 We often struggle against promoted teams. I imagine they target Everton as a winnable game and go for it. Paul Ferry 8 Posted 21/09/2024 at 19:15:58 Si Pulford 6 - Yeah bad subs for me but he didn't exactly have a lot to choose from to be fair.There was no need at all to make the Ndiaye sub, Si. So not being spoilt for choice does not get our self-proclaimed Odin off the hook. Billy Shears 9 Posted 21/09/2024 at 19:20:26 With a full strength team, we'll be fine... We just need to finish our chances, so they don't come back to haunt us like! Danny Baily 10 Posted 21/09/2024 at 19:28:22 A good result away from home, denying a relegation rival a win. Wins are the currency down at the bottom. There are six teams without a win. Of them, I think Palace and Wolves will come good. Let's hope we're in the same bracket. We're scoring and creating chances, so that's half the battle.Palace next up is massive. Win that, and we can build from there. Paul Rattle 11 Posted 21/09/2024 at 19:41:15 Only 5 wins in 26 matches going back to 16 December 2023.I don't think anyone could really have too many arguments if the manager is removed from his duties within the next 3 weeks unless the results against Palace and Newcastle work out in our favour.We have to somehow get standards back at this football club, Dyche for me is not the man to elevate those standards beyond mere dogfight survival every year. Jerome Shields 12 Posted 21/09/2024 at 19:47:46 That is a good result. Everton are scoring which is a improvement on last season. Paul Birmingham 13 Posted 21/09/2024 at 19:49:12 Made up with a point to start this season, and enough chances made and not taken to have taken control of this game.Hopefully Branthwaite is close to returning. Soft goal and poor defensive play, Tarkowski and Keane, no talking.Doucoure's poor passing… I recall recent games at Goodison v Leicester.But Palace will be a very tough game and Everton can win and start to get away from the bottom pack.UTFTs! John Raftery 14 Posted 21/09/2024 at 19:49:17 The substitutions were correct. Lindstrøm had run out of energy by the hour mark as could be seen in his effort to chase back after an attack had broken down. Harrison was the only realistic option although he struggled to make a positive impact. Likewise, Ndiaye was clearly out on his feet when he was replaced 7 minutes from time. With Mangala increasingly tired and less influential as the game progressed, we badly needed an extra pair of fresh legs to shore up the central midfield. Again Iroegbunam was the only option although he too struggled, losing possession on two occasions. There was much attacking promise, especially in the first half. The team had a decent shape with very effective passing triangles on the flanks: Young, Mangala and Ndiaye on the left; Garner, Doucouré and Lindstrøm on the right. The obvious missing link is Branthwaite. Neither Keane nor Tarkowski did much wrong today but we lack the dominant presence in critical moments which Branthwaite provides. John Keating 15 Posted 21/09/2024 at 19:52:20 Forgetting the pathetic efforts and performances against Brighton and Spurs, tonight we should be sitting 7th on 9 points.There really can be no excuses. In 3 games, we were comfortably leading… and only a single point at the end of the day.It's not only down to Dyche but the players have to take equal responsibility. Pickford's command of his area has always been non-existent. Outfield players, unable to keep possession, make simple passes… and as for the chances we miss – groundhog day to last season!Dyche is supposedly lauded for the stamina of his teams and his fitness-orientated training. Well if so, I think he left it at Turf Moor. 90 minutes is beyond this team.I can see him opening the door on the way out if we don't pick up 3 points next week. The rot has to stop. Jerome Shields 16 Posted 21/09/2024 at 19:52:31 Doucoure does not pass the ball, he flicks it.That is why he loses so much possession. Craig Walker 17 Posted 21/09/2024 at 19:59:45 Decent point. Disappointed to concede but, after the last two games, at least we didn't capitulate.We need Branthwaite back. Michael Fox 18 Posted 21/09/2024 at 20:20:56 I hope Branthwaite can live up to all your expectations. Sometimes it's like reading the tabloids on here. Give the lad a break and stop loading pressure on him. Mike Keating 19 Posted 21/09/2024 at 20:21:22 Harrison was a waste of a substitution - what does Dyche see that we don't?We learnt last season how bad he is and then loan him back for another year on silly wages.He should have been sent back to Leeds who would have tried to loan him out again – I can't imagine anyone daft enough to take him. Michael Fox 20 Posted 21/09/2024 at 20:23:53 Mike, I think he's a good footballer but lacks confidence in himself. Mark Murphy 21 Posted 21/09/2024 at 20:24:08 I've had it with Pickford.Teams know he won't come off his line… and they play on it. Fred Quick 22 Posted 21/09/2024 at 20:32:03 John @15,I think 5 points would have been nearer a fairer reflection of what points we could be on, ie, 3 points today and draws at Villa and at home to Bournemouth. We have one point on the board at last and hopefully we can knit a run together in the next few games, but it won't be at all easy and we'll have to be at our best at both ends of the pitch to get that points total moving in the right direction. Kevin Molloy 23 Posted 21/09/2024 at 20:33:45 Our defence is decimated, how can people have such expectations that this joke of a club should sweep all before it anyway?I understand people get hot under the collar about losing leads, but we are a whisker away from cantering up the table. Have a bit of patience! Rob Jones 24 Posted 21/09/2024 at 20:41:43 Mark, It's clearly a tactical decision from Dyche for Pickford to stay on his line. Fred Quick 25 Posted 21/09/2024 at 20:47:21 Kevin @ 23,Why claim that critics want to see Everton sweep all before them? That's not what I see on here. I see people questioning certain aspects of performances by both the players and the manager, noting the good and bad things and arriving at a conclusion.Some have fair points to make; others less so, but isn't that what these boards are for, a place to discuss Everton and how we as supporters perceive it?I understand it can be tiresome to be reading a continued negative narrative, and some are hooked on providing that at the drop of a hat; they won't change their stance, that's just the way they are. In general, I think the majority of posters are saying what they see, and, as we all see things very differently, there's bound to be a divergence of opinions. Tony Abrahams 26 Posted 21/09/2024 at 20:49:23 Now listen here, Jordan, stay on your fucking line. I don't care if it's there to be caught or punched because I have watched you from the other dugout playing for many different Everton managers.I have always thought that it was ridiculous they were all asking you to at least try and command your 6-yard box, which definitely wasn't helping you to play to your strengths.🙈 Kevin Molloy 27 Posted 21/09/2024 at 20:54:37 Fred, Well, the complaints are all because we didn't win away. With that defence. Anyone looking at things dispassionately can see we've got a temporary issue here that will right itself soon, and that then there is everything to play for. Neil Tyrrell 28 Posted 21/09/2024 at 21:25:06 Kevin @23, stop making sense, don't you understand this is the internet?With a full squad, we'd be on 5 or 7 points now. But hey, with 3 of 4 starting defenders missing we only got a point away today in a fucking monsoon. The sky is obviously falling. Dave Cashen 29 Posted 21/09/2024 at 21:27:13 I thought we were decent for long periods of that match. Tarkowski was looking like his old self – although he did get caught under the ball for their goal – and people around him responded. It won't go down well with those hurling abuse from the bandwagon but I thought Ashley Young was our best player. He didn't put a foot wrong in the first half. The winger Thelwell brought in had the fans purring again too. How good to see a man in blue go past opponents.Definitely something to build on… Peter Mills 30 Posted 21/09/2024 at 21:48:31 I wasn't at the game, just watched it live on telly, which is not the same thing at all. It looked as though our defensive midfielders, Doucouré in particular, doubled down to cover the full-backs, giving us much-needed protection from crosses in the first half.(That half ended on a frustrating note, with a defensive clearance reaching Calvert-Lewin on his own in the centre circle with a potential one-on-one with the Leicester goalie, although Dominic's record in such situations is not the best.) By the 75th minute, possibly because of the above-mentioned defensive covering, the whole team looked absolutely goosed. Leicester brought on young, athletic players, and in the end I was content to settle for a point. Once again, I have to wonder, approaching the end of September, whether our manager's pre-season training regime is suited to the needs of the Premier League in 2024. Given that all our players looked very tired, should Ndiaye, the one most likely to create a goal, have been the one to be hooked? What an entertaining player he is, the likes of whom we have not seen for a long time. John Flood 31 Posted 21/09/2024 at 22:25:24 Just back from the game. Firstly, that weather was bonkers! I thought we played really well for 70 minutes but then ran out of steam, probably due to a combination of players not being fully fit or suffering the effects of the illness that has been through the camp at Finch Farm. We should have been 2 or 3 up before they scored, but yet again failed to take our chances. That said, at least most of the play was positive, and we certainly were looking to win the game from the start. I spoke to a Leicester season ticket holder afterwards in the pub (the excellent Blue Boar) who agreed that we were far the better team and he said we were actually the best team out of the 3 teams they have played at the King Power this season! Martin Berry 32 Posted 22/09/2024 at 01:32:05 Against Bournemouth, we took off our attacking threats so they had nothing to worry about and they press forward, they win the game.Today, we take off Ndiaye and Lindstrom and nearly make the same mistake, can Dyche not learn from that?Also, Garner at right-back? Leicester targeted that all afternoon. Why not Dixon at right-back and move Garner or Iroegbunam into midfield?I don't understand Dyche's team selection or subs, despite the limitations. Rick Cole 33 Posted 22/09/2024 at 03:01:49 Lindstrom looked decent and he was certainly a positive. However, he was obviously gassed and Harrison was the only realistic replacement.I really can't fathom why so many Evertonians are dead against Jack? Paul Rattle 34 Posted 22/09/2024 at 07:08:27 Rick, I think most Everton fans appreciate the hard work Jack Harrison puts in, he's a workhorse of a player.However, he brings very very little end product and watching him closely in the flesh, he's completely wasted as a wide player, because he can't beat a man, and when you have slow full-backs either side, it's made more glaring right in front of you.I like the lad, but he's not ever going to bring any dynamism to the attack – much like McNeil, to be fair. Shaun Parker 35 Posted 22/09/2024 at 08:53:01 Many positives today in my view:Lindstrom played well.Ndiaye played well.Mangala played very well.Not sure what injury crisis we have but get Branthwaite back, get Mykolenko back and I'd be happy with that.Get a keeper who can come off his line and challenge crosses. Get Tim Iroegbunam fit.Keep the faith. Christine Foster 36 Posted 22/09/2024 at 09:31:16 Hmm... despite the obvious defensive issues, the Bournemouth game and yesterday's say to me that we actually have the makings of a good team. I know it's a results-orientated business and we haven't got points on the board, but we have played well, in fact, I would say better than last season.Calvert-Lewin was excellent, Ndiaye was exciting, Lindstrom gets in good positions and generally the football was good. But we gave up another lead, Dyche stuck by his favorites and we paid the price. Garner had a torrid time, again, especially when we had two outright defenders on the bench.The game itself lost its momentum after the prolonged half-time and we never really got back into the game. Young had a decent game, but the whole backline is just not good enough, even Tarkowski is a pale shadow of the last couple of seasons, Keane is just not switched on enough positional or in any way dominating the opposition.So it's an overall 6 for me, Full-backs are a concern, but we should strengthen up on Branthwaite's return. We did okay. Robert Williams 37 Posted 22/09/2024 at 11:18:19 This may sound silly but we are struggling with replacements when some of the boys are tired… Why not start the first 20 minutes with the replacements and then bring on a fresh strong cavalry to see us thru to a win? Make the changes in the first half. Can't do any worse! Peter Hodgson 38 Posted 22/09/2024 at 11:30:09 I thought it was a decent performance yesterday and we deserved all 3 points. Their equalising goal came at a bad time but they had plenty of players in the box and took their chance well. It wasn't a case of us throwing it away as has been suggested. It happens.However, what Dyche saw in Harrison last season to want him again this season, I just don't know. He is useless. Has he passed a ball to one of our men, rather than the opposition, yet? If he has, I must have missed it.We have the makings of a decent side. We just need some luck as far as injuries go, decent tactics from Dino (which is too much to expect I know), and the points will soon start accumulating. I think we will be okay. Not brilliant… but okay. Kevin Edward 39 Posted 22/09/2024 at 11:41:08 A precious point and I'm grateful for that.I agree that on balance we have played some better football during this season's opening games vs the same time last season. The ‘but' is that we should really win at home next week vs Palace, and if we cannot put the chances away to secure the win, then I have little faith in Dyche to make the right calls from the bench.So it's really on the players to step up and show some quality, bury the chances, and put us out of sight before the 75- to 95-minute panic sets in.I don't think Palace will be shaking with fear at coming to Goodison, more likely they will have watched Dyche and learned.Let's see next weekend. Up the Toffees! Brian Harrison 40 Posted 22/09/2024 at 11:47:57 I think overall, given the injuries and illness that is effecting the team, we did very well. Like Shaun said in post 35, I thought Mangala and Lindstrom played well, and what a treat to see Ndaiye play as he did yesterday. I think, seeing we weren't in the stadium to see James, the last player to go past opponents that easily was Deulofeou.We controlled the game for large parts and were a tad unlucky to concede in the manner we did. I hope that Lindstrom starts against Palace as he offers a lot more going forward than Harrison. I think when both Broja and Chermiti are fit, it will add even more firepower. Calvert-Lewin has many attributes but for me he doesn't put away enough one-on-one chances. I thought Young had a decent game and laid on the ball for Ndaiye, although he still had lots to do before he scored. Laurie Hartley 41 Posted 22/09/2024 at 12:40:45 A well-earned point that – we will get better. Steve Cotton 42 Posted 22/09/2024 at 16:46:06 Thought that Mavididi on their left looked really good. Only cost £5M too... tricky and pacy.Our brilliant scouts nowhere to be seen... Robert Tressell 43 Posted 22/09/2024 at 17:04:37 Steve # 42, there was very strong rumoured interest from us in Mavididi last summer. Presumably we couldn't afford the €7.5M. Other than the loan fees for Danjuma and Harrison, we only spent €2M as the initial payment for Chermiti last summer. The fee for Beto was deferred until this summer. David West 44 Posted 22/09/2024 at 18:00:04 I love Jarrad, but come on — he's not going to play centre-back, right-back and left-back!! He's not going to solve everything. It's a whole of defence issue. Yes, there's lots of injuries, so until there's a settled back 4, I'd be surprised if we didn't see more of the same. That's why I'd say our best form of defence is attack. The more we have the ball in the opposition, the better. Seems obvious, but even yesterday we invited them on to us, so we could break.With this front 4 of McNeil, Ndiaye, Lindstrom and alvert-Lewin, we can play that way but it is dependent on a solid back 4 to soak up the opposition threat. So when you have Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Mykolenko and Coleman, there's a game plan that could work. The positive thing was the purpose we played with on the break. Things weren't bouncing off Doucoure or Maupay. Ndiaye and Lindstrom had craft and ingenuity to affect the game, support and supply Calvert-Lewin. Dyche has to do better with the players at his disposal now. It's clear they have ability. Use it!!! Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW © ToffeeWeb