Everton met Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester in a midweek clash that saw the Blues take all three points and extend their good form of results as well as clean sheets.

After the defensive resilience shown against Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti kept the same team and set up with the only change being Robin Olsen replacing Jordan Pickford for rotational purposes.

The first half was very reminiscent of the last, the Toffees seeing minimal amounts of the ball but maintaining defensive solidity before Richarlison cut inside and struck the ball into the bottom right corner, albeit with some help from Kasper Schmeichel.

Carlo’s men looked more comfortable this time round with the likes of Allan and Doucoure doing well to subdue the attacking talent in the form of James Maddison and Harvey Barnes in midfield.

Fans will be hoping that the injury that Allan sustained is not as bad as first perceived as the Brazilian midfielder seemed to pull up with a hamstring problem just before the half. The summer acquisition has found his feet in recent weeks, becoming an indispensable workhorse in the midfield as well as a leader on the pitch, something Everton have sorely missed with captain Seamus Coleman absent.

The second half was  half where game management was crucial and despite Everton not putting in the most impressive performance, Leicester were limited to just two shots on target resulting in Olsen having a very quiet day at the office.

The result was secured when Mason Holgate, who didn’t have his best of games, scored his first ever premier league goal after some havoc in the Leicester penalty area allowed the makeshift right back to poke home.

A player that deserves recognition for his man of the match performance today is Abdoulaye Doucoure who had a difficult test after the loss of Allan yet he passed with flying colours. The former Watford man put up some outstanding numbers boasting the most touches (60) passes (43), ball recoveries (13), interceptions (2) as well as completing 100% of his take-ons and tackles. With the winter football coming thick and fast, Doucoure must make this type of performance a regular if the Blues are to succeed with their current midfield injury problems.

Other standout performers include Alex Iwobi and Richarlison who both gave the aging Chistian Fuchs problems all game as well as providing Everton with the width necessary to take pressure off of the defence.

A player who had a surprisingly quiet game was Dominic Calvert-Lewin who failed to make his usual impact on the game, losing headers and staying on the periphery of the game for large amounts of the game. Earlier this week Ancelotti explained how he is planning to rest his leading scorer sometime over the Christmas period and this game showed fans why. The England international has played in every game this season and is looking fatigued which led to his substitution at the 90 minute mark.

Everton have now collected six points from a difficult looking fixture list including Chelsea and Leicester. The Blues must now take this confidence and new-found defensive stability back to Goodison this Saturday to face an Arsenal team who are desperate for a win.