Everton secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Leicester City, marking a significant turnaround under new manager David Moyes. The match, held at Goodison Park, saw Abdoulaye Doucoure score the fastest-ever Premier League goal for Everton just 10 seconds after kickoff. This win pushed Everton 10 points clear of the relegation zone, providing much-needed relief to the fans who had grown critical of former manager Sean Dyche.
Leicester struggled to make an impact against Everton's formidable display, failing to register their first shot on target until the 72nd minute. The defeat added to their woes, marking their eighth loss in nine Premier League matches. In contrast, Everton's "total dominance," as described by Sky Sports' Ron Walker, showcased their renewed vigor under Moyes, who has led the team to three wins out of four games.
The match featured standout performances from Everton's players, particularly Beto, who scored twice in the first half. His clinical and composed finishes brought his goal tally to two for the season, much to the delight of the supporters who had been eager to see him deliver. Moyes praised Beto's performance, stating, "Beto played really well, the supporters have been waiting to see him and hoped he could produce. If you're a centre-forward, your job is to score the goals and they were two really good goals."
Adding to Everton's success was Iliman Ndiaye, who also found the back of the net. James Garner's exquisite pass set up one of the goals, earning commendation from Moyes for his resilience in returning from injury. "Garner's pass for the third was exquisite, and for a boy who's not played much and is just back through injury, it was great to have him back for 80 minutes," Moyes noted.
The revitalized Everton side has scored seven goals in their last four games under Moyes, reflecting the impact of his leadership. Moyes himself acknowledged the foundation laid by his predecessor, Sean Dyche, while expressing his commitment to further improvements. "Sean Dyche did a great job here, put a lot of good things in place. I'm trying to add to it, and if I can make it better, then great," Moyes remarked.
Leicester's head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy expressed surprise at Everton's performance, describing them as "hard to beat." Despite their struggles this season, Everton's victory against Leicester was their first at home in the Premier League this season and a testament to their efforts to overcome past challenges.
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