Leicester boss refuses to blame James Maddison for crucial penalty miss against Everton

James Maddison had a huge chance to give Leicester a 3-1 lead against Everton but Jordan Pickford saved his penalty and Alex Iwobi went on to equalise for Everton in a pulsating 2-2 draw.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring from the penalty spot to give the visitors the lead but his strike was swiftly cancelled out by Caglar Soyuncu and Jamie Vardy in a thrilling game.

The draw lifted Leicester out of the drop zone on goal difference, with Everton now 19th and a point from safety with four games left.

Asked about the penalty miss, Dean Smith said:

“James is our top scorer, if he scores no one is asking the question. The goalkeeper stood up which not many do. It happens.

“There were times I felt it was two points lost, there were times I felt it was a point gained.

 “In the first half we were second best for long periods, the game became a bit like basketball and we were counter attacking at home which is not what we want.

 “I was disappointed as we were second best for the first half. There was just so many unforced errors.

“We know we will play better, there’s more to come.”

Leicester travel to Fulham next before they host Liverpool at the King Power, as they look to make the necessary push to avoid the drop.