A late own goal from Matt Upson rescued Everton a 2-2 draw from their home encounter against Leicester City this afternoon.
All four goals came after the restart on Merseyside, with Steven Naismith putting the hosting Toffees in front.
However, Leicester hit back through substitute David Nugent and Esteban Cambiasso, who appeared to have secured all three points for the away team, only for Upson to divert Romelu Lukaku's headed effort into his own net two minutes from time to ensure that the spoils would be shared.
Find out how the Premier League match unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute text updates below.
1.03pmAfternoon all. So, while matters at the top of the table took centre stage yesterday, here will be concentrating on two teams that will have been hoping for better this season. Twelfth-placed Everton play host to bottom of the league Leicester City at Goodison Park. Matches are running out for the Foxes, who need wins quickly.
1.04pmFirst of all, though, let's take a look at the team news coming out of Merseyside, starting with the home side...
1.06pmEVERTON XI: Howard; Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman; McCarthy, Besic, Barkley, Naismith, Lennon; Lukaku
1.07pmEVERTON SUBS: Joel, Gibson, Kone, Mirallas, Atsu, Garbutt, Alcaraz
1.10pmThe big plus for Everton is that, as expected, left-back Leighton Baines has returned to fitness to start this clash. He has replaced Bryan Oviedo, while Mohamed Besic has come in for Gareth Barry in the heart of midfield. Aside from that, Roberto Martinez has stuck with the same side that won impressively in the Europa League on Thursday night.
1.11pmAnd now for the visitors...
1.12pmLEICESTER XI: Schwarzer; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Upson, Konchesky; Mahrez, Cambiasso, James, Schlupp; Kramaric
1.13pmLEICESTER SUBS: Hamer, Drinkwater, Vardy, King, Ulloa, Wasilewski, Nugent
1.16pmIt's just the one change for Leicester boss Nigel Pearson, who is using a 3-5-2 formation at Goodison Park. Having been cup-tied last weekend, January signing Robert Huth has returned to the backline at the expense of Marcin Wasilewski. Club-record signing Andrej Kramaric will lead the attack once again, while the Jeffrey Schlupp and Riyad Mahrez will play out wide.
1.20pmAnd here is that Leicester side, courtesy of the club's official Twitter feed:
Today's starting XI #EveLei pic.twitter.com/FVmDcZDu6q
— Leicester City (@OfficialFOXES) February 22, 20151.24pmRight, now let's get some player quotes on this encounter. Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and Leicester winger Mahrez both spoke with Sky Sports News moments ago. Here's some of what they had to say:
HOWARD: "We've been playing really well in Europe - we're always trying to take that form into the weekend. Our performances have been top quality and the results in Europe have been great. Hopefully we will find the secret today."
MAHREZ: "We need to be strong today because we need the points. I hope we will win this game. We are behind the manager and are together."
1.28pmAnd what about the two managers? First of let's have a look at what Pearson has had to say with regards to today's opponents.
"I am sure [Everton] would probably recognise that the season has not been as positive as they would have liked, but I think over the last four weeks their performances have improved somewhat," he told reporters.
"There is no doubt when you look at some of the players they have, they have very capable players. Possibly they have had either players who have been a little bit out of form or unavailable through injury, which has been key for them during certain periods during the season.
"That shows the fine lines between success and failure. Having played them in pre-season and at the start of the season we know they have quality, but it is important that our own players perform to our maximum."
1.31pmMeanwhile, Martinez, like his goalkeeper Howard earlier, has chosen to highlight Everton's positive form in Europe:
"I think it shows in Europe this season we've been perfect. And when I say perfect, we've been enjoying our football. I think we've produced some exciting, attacking play. We've been brave," he said at a press conference.
"I think we've showed an incredible character and it's helped young players to learn a lot very quickly, and it's helped the experienced players to show us the direction. It highlights that we need to take that into our domestic form.
"This season, because of very small margins, we haven't been able to get a real momentum, which allows you to have a real enjoyment in the games you go into."
© Getty Images
1.35pmIt really has been a difficult season so far for the Toffees. As Martinez and Howard quite rightly point out, they have been very good in Europe and are on the verge of booking their place in the last 16 of the Europa League. Back home, though, it's been tough. While performances may have improved slightly over the last month, three home wins from 12 tells its own story. Goals have been hard to come by, while the defence has looked somewhat shaky. It's a far cry from 12 months ago when Martinez's men looked certainties for Champions League qualification.
1.38pmAs for Leicester, the writing is starting to appear on the wall. They are rock bottom, having won just four games all season. Lose today and they will be cut adrift somewhat, with five points separating themselves and safety. Including this encounter, the Foxes have 13 matches left to retain their status. It's looking bleak, that's for sure.
1.41pmIf they were to win today, not only will they have to beat Everton, it also seems that they are going to have to overcome the elements on Merseyside:
The squad arrive at a soaked Goodison Park. You've seen the team news, what are your score predictions? #EveLei pic.twitter.com/jXSxf3SuZY
— Leicester City (@OfficialFOXES) February 22, 20151.44pmTHE LAST TIME: When these two sides met on the opening day of the season, the sun was shining at the King Power Stadium. Aiden McGeady and Steven Naismith twice put Everton in front, but the newly-promoted Foxes showed some true grit in hitting back twice to claim a draw. Chris Wood's strike, which secured a point, came with just four minutes left to play.
1.47pmHEAD TO HEAD: Of course football was played before 1992 and the inception of the Premier League, but Leicester's record against Everton since then is not what you would call positive. Of the 17 meetings, the Foxes have won just once. However, at the same time, they've only lost on four occasions, with 12 draws being played out.
1.51pmWith around 10 minutes to go until we get underway, here is a video of former Everton forward Graeme Sharp previewing this encounter, courtesy of the club's official YouTube page:
1.55pmPREDICTION: Sharp has had his say in the video below, but I'm going to throw my hat into the ring as well! Everton have not been great at home all season and Leicester may well fancy their chances of collecting a positive result, particularly with the pace that they have in wide areas. I see both sides scoring, so let's go for an entertaining 2-2 draw - fingers crossed!
2.00pmRight, here come the two sets of players. It appears that the rain has stopped as they enter the pitch. Not long until we are off and running at Goodison Park.
1 minKICKOFF! Visiting Leicester, who will attack from right to left in this first half, get us started on Merseyside.
5 minSAVE! Early work for Howard as Schlupp jinks inside and goes for goal, but the Everton goalkeeper is equal to the Leicester winger's effort. Nevertheless, it's a positive start by the away side.
8 minThe first venture forward by Everton as Coleman is released down the right flank. The right-back's low cross is intended for Naismith, but Morgan reacts quickly to hack the clear the danger.
10 minExperience key for Leicester today?
Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Upson, Konchesky. Leicester's defence today has an average age of 31. #LCFC pic.twitter.com/DAHvucHHij
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 22, 201512 minPositive signs for Everton as Barkley launches a counter-attack from deep inside his own half. He picks out Lennon, who squares up Huth and then darts into the Leicester penalty area. Both Barkley and Lukaku are waiting for a cross, but the Tottenham loanee cannot deliver and Morgan clears once again.
14 minThis time Lukaku does get the type of cross that he wants from Baines, but from 12 yards out, he gets too much elevation on his header, which flies harmlessly over the bar. After a slow start to proceedings, Everton are starting to take control.
18 minSAVE! Everton are continuing to probe to find an opening. Besic goes alone on this occasion, scampering across the box before drilling in a low shot. The ball beats the Leicester rearguard, but not Schwarzer, who is down early to hold.
23 minA moment Barkley will want to forget as he fires a set-piece situation from a very inviting position way over the crossbar. It's a very quiet Goodison Park right now. While their side have been on top for most of this contest, the fans haven't been inspired.
26 minCHANCE! That's the best opportunity of the match so far and Lukaku has fluffed it. Coleman does ever so well to scamper to the byline and then cut the ball back for the big Belgian striker. A goal looked inevitable, but he ends up lifting his shot way over the top. Groans ring out among the home supporters.
31 minCHANCE! Morgan is having a fine game at the heart of that Leicester defence. Lennon's cross picks out Lukaku, but he's denied by a well-timed sliding challenge from the Leicester centre-back. The ball breaks kindly for Barkley on the edge of the area, but he fires high and wide.
35 minMATCH ACTION! Courtesy of Everton's Twitter feed, here's Coleman taking on Leicester's veteran midfielder Cambiasso:
PHOTO: @seamiecoleman23 takes on Esteban Cambiasso. #EFCvLEI pic.twitter.com/1LzXmLUpqz
— Everton (@Everton) February 22, 201537 minCHANCE! What an opening that is for Leicester! Cambiasso picks out Schlupp, who takes two good touches inside the Everton box. The ball then sits up nicely to hit, but his half-volley flies halfway up the stand behind the goal. From 10 yards out, he really should be at least testing Howard with that.
40 minBy the way, it's just been confirmed that Morgan was booked earlier in the contest. Looking back, it must have been for the heavy challenge that he put in on Naismith.
43 minIn the last five minutes or so, Leicester have been more adventurous. They have started to commit more men forward and it's having an impact.
45 minThere will be one minute of stoppage time at the end of this first half.
45+1 minHALF-TIME: EVERTON 0-0 LEICESTER
2.53pmThere goes the whistle for the break, with the last action of the half seeing Stones fly out to bravely deny Schlupp. Remember before the game I said that there should be goals? Ignore me from now on! It's not exactly been a thrilling encounter.
2.55pmFrom Everton's point of view, while they were on top for large parts, there was not much tempo about their play. They look a completely different side to the one that swept some teams aside last season. Having said that, chances have been created for Lukaku, but he's failed to convert them. There could well be some stern words from Martinez in that dressing room because his attacking players are capable of so much more.
2.58pmAs for Pearson, he's probably content with the way that his players have performed. They've defended well and as the half drew to a close, they offered a threat going forward. More of the same after the restart and they could well be celebrating a positive result come the final whistle.
3.01pmMATCH ACTION! Before the second half gets underway, here's Lukaku spurning one of his opportunities from close range:
© Getty Images
46 minRESTART! The home side get us back underway. Will there be goals in this half? Let's hope so! No changes for either side.
48 minCHANCE! Schlupp has got to score! Simple as that. Howard can only parry James's effort from the edge of the area to the Leicester winger, who has the goal at his mercy. However, with the Everton keeper stranded, his poorly struck shot from eight yards out skids wide of the target. Virtually the entire Leicester team put their heads in their hands - huge chance.
50 minCHANCE! Another opening for Leicester, who have started this second half well. A corner from James finds Mahrez totally unmarked at the back post. The technique on the volley is good, but the ball flies well over.
55 minEVERTON SUBS: A double switch for Everton as Barkley is replaced by Darron Gibson, while Christian Atsu takes Besic's place.
57 minGOAL! EVERTON 1-0 LEICESTER (NAISMITH)
57 minThe Toffees have barely mounted an attack in the second half, yet they lead. Lukaku picks out Naismith inside the area and having cut inside on his right foot, he goes for goal. His effort is by no means the cleanest, but it wrong foots Schwarzer as it dribbles inside the Aussie keeper's near post. Relief at Goodison Park! It changes the complexion of this game because Leicester will have to commit even more players forward now.
62 minLEICESTER SUBS: Pearson reacts to that goal by making a double change. On comes boyhood Everton fan David Nugent and Jamie Vardy, with Schlupp and Mahrez coming off.
63 minGOAL! EVERTON 1-1 LEICESTER (NUGENT)
63 minWow, talk about substitutes making an instant impact! Howard is unable to hold Vardy's low cross from the right and Nugent is first to react, firing in from close range, despite the best efforts of Coleman on the line. The man that used to come to Goodison Park to watch Everton as a youngster has scored against them. What a change from Pearson!
66 minCHANCE! He may have got a hat-trick in Europe during the week, but Lukaku has just spurned a big chance to put Everton back in front. McCarthy's flick releases the Belgian, who has just Schwarzer to beat. However, from 12 yards out, his curling effort flies well over the top. That's a bad miss.
69 minTime for a change between the posts Everton fans?
Tim Howard has now failed to keep a clean sheet in 10 consecutive league games. Joel Robles has 3 in 7 this season. pic.twitter.com/eMRgTYGjeJ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 22, 201570 minGOAL! EVERTON 1-2 LEICESTER (CAMBIASSO)
70 minThe answer is yes, it is time for a change! It's another shocker from Howard, who flaps at Simpson's cross. The ball then breaks for Vardy and he shows good composure to play a square pass for Cambiasso. From six yards out, the veteran Argentine is never going to miss and off he goes to celebrate with the away fans. Leicester have responded brilliantly to falling behind and now they lead.
72 minCHANCE! Oh dear Lukaku - it really isn't his day. Moments after the Leicester goal, the ball sits up for him invitingly, but he bounces his effort into the ground and wide. More groans ring out around Goodison Park.
77 minIt's fair to say that former Everton midfielder Don Hutchison is not happy this afternoon:
FFS Everton!!! Tim Howard is a liability this season! Lakaku can't finish his dinner...🍴
— Don Hutchison (@donhutch4) February 22, 201582 minWith time running out, Everton are starting to look a little clueless in the final third. Passes are going astray, which isn't helping the mood inside the stadium.
85 minEVERTON SUB: In need of a goal, Martinez has turned to Kevin Mirallas. He's replaced goalscorer Naismith.
87 minCHANCE! I'm beginning to feel sorry for Lukaku! He tries to turn Baines's effort goalwards, but the ball skids a yard wide of the target. Meanwhile, Cambiasso goes off and is replaced by Andy King. Will he be the match winner?
88 minGOAL! EVERTON 2-2 LEICESTER (LUKAKU)
88 minHallelujah! Finally, Lukaku is put out of his misery. It's a great cross from Atsu as Lukaku steals a yard on Upson. That is enough for the striker, who is able to divert his diving header inside the far post. It's a good finish from someone that has missed so many chances today. Will there be a winning fifth goal here?
90 minThere will be four minutes of stoppage time at the end of this contest. Everton are on the front foot.
90+1 minCHANCE! Lukaku is almost the hero! He powers his header goalwards, but a combination of his teammate Jagielka and Upson stop it from troubling Schwarzer.
90+4 minFULL TIME: EVERTON 2-2 LEICESTER
3.57pmThere goes the whistle and the spoils are shared at Goodison Park. Despite the late goal, Everton are booed off by their supporters. The Toffees have won just one of their last 10. For Leicester, while a point may not be a bad result, they were so close to claiming all three. It could be a defining moment in their season.
3.58pmThat is all we have time for from Goodison Park. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and until next time, goodbye.
