In a rousing, stirring Cup-tie atmosphere, Everton came back from 0-2 down with a stunning equaliser from seldom-used veteran Leighton Baines in injury time. Alas, it wasn't enough as two missed penalties from Cenk Tosun and Baines himself ensured it was Brendan Rodgers' high-flying Leicester side who will progress through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals to take on Aston Villa.
It must be said that Everton did not start with the same drive and passion they showed in the two earlier matches against Chelsea and Manchester United; and it was the confident Leicester side who imposed their will on the match; with James Maddison at his imperious best; controlling the game from midfield. They took the lead midway through the first half through that man Maddison himself; who controlled a cross from Ricardo Pereira before firing home expertly past Jordan Pickford.
Worse was to come for Everton mere moments later; as Maddison's corner was flicked on by Vardy for Jonathan Evans to prod home from near point-blank range. It was yet another defensive set-piece disaster for Everton; who again failed to clear their lines from yet another set-piece delivery.
The signs looked ominous for the home side; but with the power of Ferguson now looming over them; you just sensed this game was not over yet; and Everton would somehow try to rouse themselves back into the contest. And indeed they did; as Tom Davies volleyed home superbly from Richarlison's cross to make it 1-2 in the 70th minute. With the Goodison crowd now in full throttle; Everton continued to pile the pressure on the visitors; who started putting more and more men behind the ball in an effort to stem the tide. They even brought on central defender Caglar Soyuncu for winger Marc Albrighton in a clear defensive-oriented switch.
Just as it looked like the game was over and into injury time; and suddenly substitute Tosun relayed a cross-field ball to Baines who was rampaging up. The veteran left-back rolled back the years with a stunning long-range shot that flashed into the corner off the post; past a bewildered Kasper Schmeichel. Cue delirious scenes all round; as Everton had achieved the impossible; with Duncan Ferguson taking yet another ball-boy to task with a whirling derbish.
Alas; the momentum failed to be kept with the home side; as after Maddison surprisingly missed the opening penalty; you could sense Everton gaining the win. But Tosun also missed; followed by principal penalty-taker Baines missing also; leading to Jamie Vardy managing to smash home the winning penalty on this captivating night.
No comments:
Post a Comment