Leicester City vs Everton. Premier League.
The King Power StadiumAttendance32,007.
Highlights and report as Everton make it back-to-back Premier League wins
Saturday 6 October 2018 19:37, UK
Gylfi Sigurdsson's sensational 77th-minute strike earned Everton a 2-1 win over 10-man Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
Richarlison gave the visitors the lead after seven minutes as he tapped home from Bernard's cross but Ricardo Pereira levelled with five minutes remaining of the first half.
Wes Morgan was sent off for a second bookable offence just after the hour-mark and it proved the turning point as Everton made the numerical advantage count.
Sigurdsson collected Kurt Zouma's pass before bending an unstoppable right-foot shot into the top corner to notch his 50th Premier League goal and help Everton move up to 11th, level on points with Leicester.
Silva handed Bernard his first Premier League start and his decision was vindicated when the Brazilian cut inside Daniel Amartey and found Richarlison, who tucked the ball inside the post for his fourth goal of the season.
Everton missed the opportunity to extend their lead after 30 minutes as Theo Walcott lost his footing while attempting to dribble past Harry Maguire before Jamie Vardy flicked a shot wide when put clean through moments later.
Leicester levelled when Everton were caught out from their own attacking corner. Pereira played a one-two with Kelechi Iheanacho before turning Jonjoe Kenny inside out and firing inside Jordan Pickford's near post.
Leicester made the brighter start to the second period, with Ben Chilwell cutting inside before curling his shot a yard wide, but Claude Puel's men lost all momentum when Morgan was dismissed.
The captain had already been booked for an early foul on Richarlison when he caught the Everton forward once more, leaving referee Andre Marriner with little choice but to brandish a second yellow.
Silva looked to find a winner as Cenk Tosun was introduced, moving Sigurdsson deeper - and the move paid dividends.
The Iceland international picked up the ball 30 yards out before turning inside James Maddison and unleashing a sublime shot beyond Schmeichel into the top corner.
Sigurdsson is now showing signs of the player for whom Everton forked out £45million two summers ago.
The Icelander had already linked up well with Bernard during a lively start from the Toffees, and with Leicester reduced to 10 men, captain Tom Davies was withdrawn and handed the captain's armband to Sigurdsson.
He took on the responsibility to grab all three points for his side with a venomous shot into the top corner, his fourth goal in as many games to propel Everton into the top half of the table.
Claude Puel: "We played 10 against 11, but I think we had a feeling to go back and protect our box. It was not a good attitude from us, because we needed to continue playing our game.
"We defended too deep and conceded a fantastic goal. We suffered, and tried to push at the end, we nearly scored in injury time [Daniel Amartey missed a free header from close range] but it was too late."
Marco Silva: "I've told our players we have many things we need to improve. We have quality inside.
"Until now, I didn't have all my players available to work, but with all of them we will be stronger for sure.
"Now is a good moment for the international break, and it won't be easy for us to work with so many players away. After, we will come back strong and have a tough match against Crystal Palace, but we have to do things our way."
Paul Merson: "Morgan's red card was pivotal because Everton went on to win the game. The game was in the balance when he got sent off.
"One yellow was a certainty but two yellows, I thought it was very harsh. The worst thing is they go on and lose the game because it was an even game up until then.
Leicester travel to face Arsenal on Monday Night Football in their next Premier League encounter.
Everton meanwhile host Crystal Palace, live on Super Sunday, after the international break on October 21.
