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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson says Everton draw feels like defeat

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Nigel Pearson says Leicester's performance in their 2-2 draw against Everton deserves more than it got.

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson urged his side not to dwell on the manner of their 2-2 draw with Everton, despite admitting it felt like a defeat.

The Foxes looked to be heading for a vital victory in their fight against relegation from the Premier League as they came from behind to lead 2-1 at Goodison Park.

But Matthew Upson’s late own goal denied the Premier League's bottom side and ensured the spoils were shared.

“It feels a bit like a defeat, but I suppose we have to take the positives out of it,” Pearson told Sky Sports. “It’s another one of those scratch-your-head days but we go again because we need to.

"At some point we will change our fortunes, but we will only do that if we apply ourselves as we did today.

It’s not a case of feeling unlucky or that things aren’t going our way, we have to turn the situation around ourselves
Nigel Pearson

“It’s not a case of feeling unlucky or that things aren’t going our way, we have to turn the situation around ourselves.

"We have to reproduce good performances and make sure between now and the end of the season we get enough points. Nobody can change our fortunes but ourselves.”

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Leicester’s struggles in recent months have led to speculation over Pearson’s position as manager but he insists it is not affecting his team, who are four points from safety.

“I can’t do too much about what is being speculated on,” he said. “I always do my job as conscientiously as I can and I will continue to do that until I’m told otherwise. I am committed to the job.

“All managers work in situations where things can change quickly. I have always been very supportive of our owners and my view is that they will make decisions that are right for the football club and I do the same.”

Asked what Leicester need to do to avoid the drop, Pearson said: “We need to win more games. We get praise for our performances but they have not really produced enough points, we know that, that’s why we are at the bottom.

"But we feel we are capable and have the belief to change our fortunes and we will do it.”

Sky Sports subscribers can sign in to watch extended highlights of Everton v Leicester from Goodison Park.