Dean Smith refused to point the finger of blame at James Maddison after the Leicester City midfielder saw his penalty saved against Everton in a 2-2 draw that does neither side much good in their battle to avoid the drop.
Maddison had the chance to put Leicester 3-1 up at King Power Stadium but visiting goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stood his ground to save the first-half spot kick.
It proved costly for Leicester as Alex Iwobi's second-half equaliser rescued a point for the Toffees.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s opener from the penalty spot was swiftly cancelled out by Caglar Soyuncu and Jamie Vardy in a thrilling game.
The draw lifted Leicester out of the Premier League drop zone on goal difference, with Everton – who lost Seamus Coleman to a serious looking knee injury – second bottom and a point from safety with four games left.
“James is our top scorer, if he scores no one is asking the question,” Smith told reporters. “The goalkeeper stood up which not many do. It happens.
“There were times I felt it was two points lost, there were times I felt it was a point gained.
“In the first half we were second best for long periods, the game became a bit like basketball and we were counter attacking at home which is not what we want.
“I was disappointed as we were second best for the first half. There was just so many unforced errors.”
Player ratings
-
LEICESTER RATINGS: Daniel Iversen - 9, The Dane made fantastic saves to deny Alex Iwobi, Dwight McNeil, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure, also did brilliantly to reach McNeil’s cross ahead of Calvert-Lewin. Had no chance of stopping either Everton goal. Reuters -
Timothy Castagne - 5, Did well to block James Tarkowski’s shot amid early chaos but then conceded a needless penalty by clumsily pushing Calvert-Lewin. Came agonisingly close to finding Jamie Vardy with his ball through and did well to block McNeil’s shot. Getty Images -
Wout Faes - 6, Lost the ball too easily on a few occasions, but did well to head the ball towards Caglar Soyuncu for the equaliser. His unconvincing header fell to Iwobi for the equaliser, although he then did well to block another shot from the midfielder. Getty Images -
Caglar Soyuncu - 6, Looked shaky when defending set pieces and had some poor touches, but did brilliantly to score the equaliser despite slipping. Hurt himself after catching Wilfred Ndidi while heading the ball and was saved after a poor attempt of dealing with McNeil’s cross. Reuters -
Luke Thomas - 6, Appeared to panic on a few occasions and struggled to match Seamus Coleman at times. Booked for a late challenge on Idrissa Gueye but stood up well to block Iwobi’s shot and gave everything for the team. Reuters -
Youri Tielemans - 7, Showed quality when he nutmegged Gueye and played the ball out wide early on, then won the free-kick that led to the equaliser and intercepted Iwobi’s pass in the build-up to Leicester’s second. Getty Images -
Wilfred Ndidi - 6, Did well to keep the ball in tight areas and gave a good account of himself defensively. Saw an ambitious shot blocked. Reuters -
Boubakary Soumare - 6, Often played on the front foot in both attack and defence. Was booked for the challenge that injured Coleman. Getty Images -
James Maddison - 6, His overhit free-kick delivery eventually resulted in the equaliser and he slipped the ball through for Vardy to score Leicester’s second, but he was outfoxed by Jordan Pickford from the penalty spot. Booked for a cynical foul on Gueye. Reuters -
Harvey Barnes - 7, Didn’t get to make as many of his bursting runs as usual, but made his mark from crossing positions, with one ball leading to the equaliser and another resulting in the penalty that was saved. PA -
Jamie Vardy - 8, Made brilliant runs in behind, including one that culminated in the striker rounding Pickford and putting Leicester ahead. Turned Michael Keane inside out but hit the crossbar with his dinked attempt and even put in some good defensive work, giving everything he could for the team. Reuters -
SUBS: Patson Daka (Ndidi, 61’) - 6, Made good runs behind but often found himself being halted by Vitaliy Mykolenko and was indecisive when he was afforded space in the middle. Did brilliantly to track back and dispossess McNeil. Getty Images -
Dennis Praet (Barnes, 88’) – N/R, Took up some good positions and won a throw under pressure from Iwobi near his own corner flag. Getty Images -
Victor Kristiansen (Thomas, 88’) – N/R, Wasn’t afraid to get forward as both teams chased a winner and picked up a booking for stopping Nathan Patterson’s run. AFP -
EVERTON RATINGS: Jordan Pickford - 7, A deflection off Keane stopped him getting enough on Soyuncu’s shot to keep it out and he was given little chance of stopping Vardy, but the goalkeeper did well to deny Maddison’s penalty. Getty Images -
Seamus Coleman - 7, Showed plenty of attacking intent, clipping the ball into Calvert-Lewin and getting to the byline before cutting the ball back for McNeil’s chance. Also defended well against Barnes but was forced off injured before half time. Getty Images -
Michael Keane - 4, His deflection on Soyuncu’s shot made things harder for Pickford, he was left behind by Vardy for the second and then handled the ball for Leicester’s penalty. Was also turned inside out by Vardy before the striker hit the crossbar but had a more solid second half. Reuters -
James Tarkowski - 6, Saw an early shot blocked and while his lazy pass before half time put his side in a precarious situation, he showed brilliant awareness to stop Vardy’s goal-bound header then tackle Barnes moments later. AP Photo -
Vitaliy Mykolenko - 7, Was involved in the build-up for Everton’s second goal and played great defensively after Daka came on. Blocked Maddison’s shot. Reuters -
Alex Iwobi - 7, Was unlucky to see his shot denied by a magnificent save and had some good moments on the ball. Lost possession to start the move that resulted in Vardy’s goal but redeemed himself by scoring the equaliser. Getty Images -
James Garner - 6, Looked composed on the ball and moved it well but could have done with more of a cutting edge at times. Took up some smart defensive positions. PA -
Idrissa Gueye - 6, Was nutmegged early on but continued to fight to win the ball back, although he shot over from a promising chance on the edge of the box. Booked for a cynical foul on Maddison. Reuters -
Abdoulaye Doucoure - 6, Covered ground well, making a great drive forward and pass to set up a chance for Iwobi. Was desperately unlucky to see Iversen save his late attempt. Reuters -
Dwight McNeil - 8, Saw a shot well saved by Iversen but caused trouble with his set pieces. Did well to get behind and play the pass for Calvert-Lewin’s chance, then delivered the cross that resulted in Iwobi’s goal. Getty Images -
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 7, Struggled to make the ball stick before winning and converting a penalty. His hold-up play improved massively after that but he shockingly failed to apply a finish after being picked out by McNeil and was denied again after a better strike early in the second half. Reuters -
SUB: Nathan Patterson (Coleman, 45+4) - 7, Did well to deal with Maddison when he was twisting and turning, continued to defend well and also made some positive forays forward. AFP
Leicester, who are in 16th place on 30 points, have a tough run in with games against Fulham, Liverpool and Newcastle United before facing West Ham at home in their final match on May 28.
Despite a disjointed display against fellow relegation strugglers, Smith was upbeat Leicester will improve down the home stretch.
“We’ve just played Leeds and Everton, got two points out of it,” Smith added. “If we had won one and lost one would that have put us in a better situation because one of our rivals would have had three points?
“We know we will play better, there’s more to come.”
Daniel Iversen thwarted Iwobi early but Calvert-Lewin’s penalty put Everton ahead on 15 minutes after the striker was barged over by Timothy Castagne in the box.
Leicester levelled seven minutes later when Soyuncu steered in from Wout Faes’ knock-back.
Just 11 minutes later they turned it around when Maddison sent Vardy clear to round Pickford and score.
Calvert-Lewin then missed a fine chance to level and Vardy hit the bar after a quick break.
Coleman was carried off after a Boubakary Soumare challenge before Pickford’s crucial stop when he stayed to beat away Maddison’s penalty when the forward went down the middle following Michael Keane’s handball.
The notes on Maddison’s technique on the goalkeeper’s water bottle said ‘stay’.
Iwobi took advantage to find the corner after 54 minutes and a thrilling game continued when James Tarkowski cleared Vardy’s goal-bound header.
Iversen ensured it would finish level with a fine save from Abdoulaye Doucoure with Leicester unbeaten in their last three games.
Everton have seen a gradual improvement since Sean Dyche's appointment in late January but they are running out of games to preserve their long stay in England's top tier.
The Toffees face Brighton & Hove Albion at home next before trips to Manchester City and Wolves. They end the 2022/23 campaign back at Goodison against Bournemouth.
Dyche said: “It’s a such a strange journey since I’ve been here. When I got here they’d taken five points from 12 games now we’re a point for point on games. Now it’s about taking it on even further.
“I’ve seen this league change many times. We’ve got tough games but everyone’s got tough games, this stage of the season is about tough games.
“Every game should be a must win when you are a professional. I thought it was a very good performance, the will, the demand but also the quality to create things.
“All the markers which usually bring a win were there. They didn’t but we have to keep doing that because it shows there’s a clear shift from the last game.”
