Everton beat Leicester City 4-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday as David Moyes’ side started fast and never looked like losing.
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Abdoulaye Doucoure scored after just 10 seconds, which is the quickest-ever game by a home team in Premier League history, and that set the tone for a dominant home win.
Beto scored with six minutes on the clock to make it 2-0 and then grabbed another right on half time as Leicester’s defense was caught out thrice with long balls through the middle.
The brilliant Iliman Ndiaye added a fourth late on to put some deserved gloss on the scoreline.
With the win Everton move on to 26 points and are now nine points above the relegation zone, while Leicester are on 17 points and have slipped into the bottom three.
Moyes working his magic as Toffees feed Beto
It was clear Everton looked to exploit Leicester’s defensive high-line and they did it superbly as Moyes highlighted a weakness and his side exploited it masterfully. Three long balls over the heart of Leicester’s defense were pounced on and finished ruthlessly by Doucoure and Beto in the first half and the job was done early on. Beto in particular was excellent as he grabbed his chance to be the first-choice striker with both hands as Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out injured for a long spell. Beto took both his goals calmly, was a real nuisance with his body and Everton played it up to him time and time again with Lindstrom, Ndiaye and Doucoure a huge threat when running off Beto and picking up the loose balls. It’s a simplistic way to play but Moyes has perfected it over the years and three wins from his first four games in charge have eased relegation fears considerably. With a new stadium almost ready and new owners aiming to spend big in the summer with PSR issues a thing of the past, there is a bright future ahead for Everton. The name of David Moyes was sung loud and clear by Everton’s fans throughout the game on Saturday and it’s clear he will have a huge impact on their new beginning. Sometimes a manager and a club just work and Everton and Moyes are the perfect example.
Everton vs Leicester player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Next up Everton host Bournemouth in the FA Cup on Saturday, February 8. Then they have their game in-hand at home against Liverpool on Wednesday, February 12 in the league. Leicester head to Man United in the FA Cup on Friday, February 7 before they host Arsenal in the PL on Saturday, February 15.
Everton vs Leicester score: 4-0
Doucoure 1', Beto 6', 45+2', Ndiaye 90'
Everton vs Leicester live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Ndiaye gets a deserved goal! — Everton 4-0 Leicester
Iliman Ndiaye properly deserved that goal. He’s been excellent off the left and after a poor piece of play from two Leicester defenders, he nips in and finishes. Goodison applauds him and he deserves the adulation. What a season he’s having.
Ndiaye’s shot deflects wide
Everton looking to end the game in style and Iliman Ndiaye’s curler flicks off Faes and goes just wide. A goal kick is given. That was great play from Ndiaye cutting in from the left.
Everton controlling the game well
Leicester are trying to get back in this but Everton are working so hard to close down spaces and always look a threat when playing a long ball behind the Foxes high defensive line. If they can hold on, which they should do comfortably, then what a start for David Moyes back at Everton.
Beto grabs another! — Everton 3-0 Leicester
A brilliant pass from James Garner through to Beto and he finishes superbly for his second and Everton’s third. Three long balls forward have caught Leicester out and Everton have been clinical.
Doucoure almost scores right before half time
Really close to a second goal for Doucoure and a third for Everton. Most of Goodison thought that was in.
Kristiansen smashes over
Leicester have regained a bit of confidence after conceding those two early goals. A loose ball drops to Kristiansen and he smashes just over.
Some stats on that Doucoure goal
It’s the fastest goal scored by a home team in Premier League history. Wow.
10:18 - Everton's opener was the fourth-fastest goal in Premier League history (00:10:18 seconds), and the quickest ever scored by a home team in the competition. Blistering. pic.twitter.com/AXpRjZzkuz
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 1, 2025
Beto finishes another long ball! — Everton 2-0 Leicester
Tarkowski curls a ball over the top and Beto is in and smashes low and hard across goal. Lovely pass and finish but that is so poor defensively from Leicester again. Everton in dreamland.
Doucoure gives Everton a crazy early lead! — Everton 1-0 Leicester
Straight from the kick off Everton lead! A long punt forward sees Beto challenge for it and the ball drops to the onrushing Doucoure who tucks it home. There were about 10 seconds on the clock! Goodison is going wild.
Everton lineup
Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Lindstrom, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Beto
Leicester lineup
Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Winks, Soumare; Ayew, El Khannouss, Reid; Vardy
Everton team news, focus
OUT: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (thigh), Armando Broja (ankle), Dwight McNeil (knee), Seamus Coleman (calf), Timothy Iroegbunam (ankle), Youssef Chermiti (thigh), Orel Mangala (knee)
Leicester team news, focus
OUT: Ricardo Pereira (thigh), Abdul Fatawu (knee - out for season) | QUESTIONABLE: Wilfred Ndidi (thigh), Mads Hermansen (groin)
Everton vs Leicester City prediction
Everton’s injury list features more key pieces than Leicester, but the Toffees are a more talented group overall. Everton do feel destined for safety, but there will still be stumbles along the way to Week 38. This will be one. Everton 1-1 Leicester City.
Everton vs Leicester City preview
David Moyes’ Everton have pulled seven points clear of the bottom three and are feeling bullish on their chances to get into the mid-table mix and out of the bottom-three thrash.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has Leicester back above the dreaded line, but they’re only one point clear of 18th-place Wolves and 19th-place Ipswich Town.
The Foxes meet the current bottom three in three of their last five matches this season, and need wins in games like this to make sure they’re not fighting those teams for a Premier League space down the stretch.
How to watch Everton vs Leicester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (February 1)
Venue: Goodison Park — Liverpool
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock