Leicester Suffers First Defeat Under Shakespeare

Romelu Lukaku scored twice for Everton in a 4-2 victory on Sunday as Craig Shakespeare suffered defeat for the first time since becoming Leicester City manager. Everton’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku (R) watches his shot pass Leicester City’s Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (L) to score his team’s fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Leicester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on April 9, 2017. / AFP PHOTO Shakespeare had won all of his first six matches in charge, five of them in the Premier League, since replacing the sacked Claudio Ranieri in February. A much-changed Leicester side, without their regular full-backs or midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, and with Riyad Mahrez appearing only as a substitute, were unable to cope with the threat of Lukaku. The Premier League’s leading scorer took his goal tally in the competition to 23 for the season with a fine header and a clinical close-range finish. Shakespeare’s decision to make five changes suggested he had one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League quarter- final first leg away to Atletico Madrid. Leicester were behind after just 31 seconds, yet were soon in front. Everton scored from their first attack as Kevin Mirallas raced through the centre and was pulled down by Daniel Amartey. As the home fans appealed for a foul, teenage midfielder Tom Davies latched onto the loose ball and pushed it past Kasper Schmeichel. Shakespeare’s side responded positively and were level with just four minutes on the clock. Demarai Gray broke and with the Everton defenders standing off, rolled a pass to his right for Islam Slimani to slot under Joel Robles.