Everton 2-1 Leicester City: Advantage

Everton didn’t always make it simple today, but they emerged from the King Power Stadium with all three points thanks to brilliant goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson. Wes Morgan contributed to the result thanks to his inability to mark any Brazilians, which led to his eventual sending off.

• Marco Silva introduced a new setup in attack this weekend, and it was one that large swaths of the fanbase had been pleading for. Richarlison started centrally, with Bernard, Gylfi Sigurdsson, and Theo Walcott behind him. During the first half, it worked brilliantly. Bernard repeatedly roasted the Foxes’ defense, and provided a beautiful assist for Richarlison’s opener.
• The combination play between the four attackers faded for a period to begin the second half, particularly as Walcott and Richarlison seemed to switch places. It was ultimately effective enough, though, and so don’t be surprised to see Everton utilize it again moving forward.
• This is now a Gylfi Sigurdsson appreciation blog. Not enough can be said about his performances the last month or so, and sure, he did score a ridiculously good winner today, but his creative passing ability and work rate off the ball are crucial, too. The Icelandic international is coming into his own as Everton’s talisman.

• This is not a Jonjoe Kenny appreciation blog, at least not right now. Kenny was downright awful at times today, and mostly in defense. It was his poorly timed, missed tackle that allowed Ricardo Pereira to score Leicester’s first goal, and the youngster was regularly roasted. Miss you, Seamus.
• Credit is due to Michael Keane, who dealt with the constant threat of Jamie Vardy on his shoulder all day despite being at a significant pace disadvantage. It was a little scary at times for us spectators, but the hulking center back did the best he could.
• While the loss to Southampton was certainly disappointing, today marks two straight Premier League wins, and Everton’s first away win of the season, too. These are encouraging times, friends.

And so, the international break is upon us, again. Crystal Palace await after that, and so too do Andre Gomes, Seamus Coleman, and Yerry Mina. Up the damn Toffees.