Everton netted the fourth-fastest goal in Premier League history as they cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win over Leicester City on Saturday, with the Foxes slipping into the relegation zone as a result.
Jordan Pickford’s long ball forward to Abdoulaye Doucoure from kick-off meant that David Moyes’ Toffees had taken the lead before some fans had even settled in their seasts – and they’d double their advantage just five minutes later through Beto.
The Bissau-Guinean forward added a second goal to his tally on the stroke of half-time, slotting home after controlling a fine ball sent forwards by James Garner.
Iliman Ndiaye added a fourth in the 90th minute.
As it happened
Everton needed just 10.18 seconds to open the scoring at Goodison Park on Saturday, setting the record for the fastest goal ever scored at the stadium (and the fourth-fastest in Premier League history) in the process.
David Moyes’ men played back to Jordan Pickford from kick-off, with the goalkeeper hoofing forwards for Abdoulaye Doucoure – and the Toffees’ midfielder made no mistake with the finish, despatching past Mads Hermansen after controlling the ball with his chest.
Embed from Getty ImagesLeicester City’s defenders had barely stopped pointing fingers at each other before Saturday’s hosts were through on goal again, this time with Beto the man to write his name on the scoresheet. The Portuguese-born forward, who now plays for Guinea-Bissau on the international stage, ran onto James Tarkowski’s long ball forward and drove into the box before picking out the bottom corner.
It had been a nightmare start for the Foxes, as fans in the away end began to cry out for the dismissal of their Director of Football, John Rudkin, and voiced their acceptance of the fact the club are heading towards a second relegation in the space of three seasons.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side showed no signs of improvement until the 25th minute, when Victor Kristiansen thundered over the crossbar after Everton failed to properly deal with a corner. But by that point, the Toffees had gone close a further two times – albeit they were flagged offside on both occasions.
Beto pleaded with the referee for a chance to double his tally from the penalty spot with ten minutes remaining before the break, after a challenge from Jannik Vestergaard felled the Everton frontman inside the box. His appeals were waved away, but the hosts kept pushing – and they came close again before long, with James Garner’s near-post effort tipped wide by Hermansen.
But Beto would get that goal he so desperately craved on the stroke of half-time; his reward for remaining composed as he latched onto James Garner’s delivery and slotted past Hermansen to extend Everton’s advantage at the break to a remarkably comfortable three goals.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe second half, by comparison, was a much quieter affair as neither side were able to pose a significant threat for the best part of thirty minutes. Everton broke that lull through Jesper Lindstrøm though, with the Danish international denied by his compatriot as Hermansen stuck a leg out to stifle his close-range shot.
It seemed to be a matter of when, rather than if, the fourth goal would arrive for David Moyes’ side – and the answer would be the 90th minute, as Iliman Ndiaye made amends for his earlier miss by capitalising on Leicester’s indecision amongst the backline.
The lineups
EVE: Pickford; Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, O’Brien; Gueye, Garner; Ndiaye, Doucoure, Lindstrøm; Beto
LEI: Hermansen; Kristiansen, Vestergaard, Faes, Justin; Soumaré, Winks; Decordova-Reid, El Khannous, Ayew; Vardy