Everton's Abdoulaye Doucouré made history on Saturday by scoring the fourth-fastest goal in Premier League history, netting just 10.18 seconds after kickoff in his team's commanding 4-0 victory over Leicester City at Goodison Park. It marked the fastest goal ever recorded by the home side, showcasing the resurgence of Everton under their new manager, David Moyes.
The electrifying strike came as Jordan Pickford launched the ball from the back, allowing Doucouré to control the ball and slip past Leicester's defense, firing it past goalkeeper Mads Hermansen before the visitors had even settled.
"[Things are] sweeter than we felt a couple of weeks ago. Great credit to the players for another outstanding performance. It's good to see they're making good progress," Moyes said, admiring his team's relentless spirit and teamwork. The former manager of West Ham United has guided Everton to three consecutive wins, bringing them out of relegation peril and building confidence among the players.
Five minutes after Doucouré's record goal, Everton struck again as Beto scored his first of the match, taking advantage of Leicester's high defensive line. The Portuguese forward continued to capitalize on defensive mistakes, adding to the scoring just before halftime to make it 3-0.
The encounter highlighted the stark contrasting fortunes of both teams. Leicester, under the management of Ruud van Nistelrooy, found themselves struggling, having lost eight of their last nine matches. Van Nistelrooy lamented the start of the game, saying, "If you look at the scoreboard after 10 seconds and after five minutes... you don't do yourself any favors..."
Everton's dominance was palpable, as they maintained possession and launched attacks relentlessly. Doucouré's initial goal set the tone for what would become one of their most substantial victories at home this season. Moyes noted the team’s transformation, stating, "If you’d offered me three wins from four games... I’d have said: ‘Thanks very much’ and taken it." His tactical leadership has clearly brought about significant changes, as reflected on the pitch.
Despite their struggles, Leicester had brief moments of promise. Jamie Vardy, their veteran striker, experienced isolation throughout the match, with limited touches and no shots on target. Van Nistelrooy's tactical efforts fell flat as they were consistently exposed by Everton's attacking flair.
With Everton leading 3-0 at the break, the fans celebrated as their team had already matched their goals scored under Sean Dyche for the entire season. Moyes's squad quickly established themselves as formidable opponents, capable of asserting their presence and securing necessary goals when it mattered most.
After the interval, things went from bad to worse for Leicester when Iliman Ndiaye capitalized on defensive confusion, scoring the fourth goal to seal the match emphatically. The mix-up between Leicester defenders only underscored their lack of coordination and frailty as Everton ran riot at home.
Everton's attacking strategy resulted not only in scoreboard advantage but also revival of team morale, which bodes well for the remainder of the season. "We are getting closer to the teams above us rather than the teams below getting closer to us but I’m not getting carried away. The job to do is to make sure we are a Premier League team next season," Moyes said optimistically, reflecting on the bright prospects for his side.
This match not only highlights Everton's strengths but also raises significant questions about Leicester's defensive strategy moving forward. How could they allow such early strikes? The stark comparison of their form leaves much work to be done even as they attempt to secure their position within the league hierarchy.
For Everton supporters, Doucouré’s lightning-fast goal and the team's strong performance reaffirm their faith as the club navigates this precarious stage of the season.
With the victory, Everton climbed to 15th place, marking significant progress as they aim for Premier League stability. Meanwhile, Leicester's position remains precarious, sitting merely one point above the relegation zone, prompting urgent evaluations of both strategy and performance.
This match will surely be remembered not just for the scoreline but for Doucouré's historical strike, cementing his name among the record books of Premier League history. The narrative of the team’s struggles and triumphs continues on, promising excitement as they push through the rest of the season.