Leicester will be unlucky to be relegated

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson will be pleased by his teams performance in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Everton, but will be disappointed not to have taken maximum points

Bottom of the Premier League table Leicester City were just a few minutes away from claiming a priceless 2-1 win at Everton on Sunday.

However, a Matthew Upson own goal gave the Toffees a share of the points and left the Foxes to rue their rotten luck once again.

Chances

In truth, Everton probably could have won the game. They certainly had enough decent chances to win the game.

Unfortunately for Roberto Martinez, star striker Romelu Lukaku was back to not being able to hit a cow’s backside with a banjo, after Thursday night’s hat-trick in the Europa League.

The fact that the Belgian international had eight attempts on goal and only the one was on target simply summed-up the youngster’s afternoon. He did manage to collect two assists though, but he will be judged on his terribly finishing, rather than his set-up play.

Deserved

Leicester deserved the point that they gained though, if not all three for the way that they performed. They looked defensive with five at the back from the start. One cannot blame Foxes boss Nigel Pearson setting-up this way considering the way games have been going for the Foxes in recent weeks.

The team from the Midlands made it difficult for the home side in the first half and did a sterling defensive job closing down the Toffees. Leicester even came close to snatching the lead in the first half, but Jeffrey Schlupp was denied brilliantly by a John Stones block in the penalty area.

The Toffees wasted their two first half chances which fell to the aforementioned Lukaku and young midfielder Ross Barkley.

Everton seemed to come out with more purpose in the second half and took the lead early in the second half through a scuffed Steven Naismith effort, which lead to a far more open game. Leicester hit back through substitute and my namesake David Nugent, after Tim Howard had made a hash of a Jamie Vardy cross.

The USA international again floundered on 70 minutes, as he palmed away a cross which fell for Vardy, who showed great composure to find Esteban Cambiasso and the veteran made no mistake from close-range.

Everton continued to press for a goal and an equaliser eventually arrived on 88 minutes, when Christian Atsu’s superb centre was headed past his own keeper by Upson after Lukaku had dived in to score.

Inspired

The changes that Foxes boss Nigel Pearson made to get his team back into the game were inspired. On came lifelong Evertonian Nugent, who scored the equaliser within a few minutes of coming off the bench and also Jamie Vardy.

Vardy had a good shout to be man of match after having a hand in both Foxes goals. The positive nature of Pearson substitutions was so very nearly rewarded with a valuable victory.

Well

Leicester could quite right say that they have deserved more from trips to Goodison Park and from their defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates. Unfortunately for Pearson and his men their good performances have not resulted in many victories.

Leicester fans must be so frustrated that their team are playing well and not picking-up victories. They may currently be rock bottom of the league, but they are certainly not playing like a team doomed to Championship football.

Under Pearson they have played some superb football in the top-flight and they try and play the game the right way, which is good to see.

Relegation

From the very start of the campaign Leicester were seen as the favourites for the drop after their promotion to the top-flight last season. Their early season form was encouraging though and they looked like a team that could surprise people this season.

However, they went on a downward spiral results wise and it now looks like a desperate situation for Pearson and his side. The Foxes are currently four points away from safety and are currently favourites for the drop at odds of 4/11 to go down.

If they continue playing like they did at Everton and Arsenal the Foxes may just give themselves a chance to survive, but that means picking-up victories and it seems those are hard to come by for the side from the Midlands.

Will Leicester be relegated this season?