Steve Cooper recognized Leicester City’s lackluster first-half performance in their 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday, while also highlighting his players’ resolve to earn a point.
Everton struck first with Iliman Ndiaye’s goal in the 12th minute at King Power Stadium, where both teams faced challenging conditions due to heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. Despite these adversities, Leicester battled back, with Stephy Mavididi equalizing in the 73rd minute.
Cooper, whose team currently sits 15th in the Premier League, admitted the first half was difficult but expressed pleasure with their resurgence after the break.
“We didn’t play well in the first half,” Cooper stated. “We need to be honest about it; we weren’t at the necessary level for the Premier League, and going behind was justified. Half-time was important, and the weather affected both teams, so we had to adapt. The players showed greater commitment after that.”
He noted that while creating clear chances was a challenge, Leicester began to assert themselves more in the attacking phase. “They had a few counter-attacks, but we managed to equalize, and I felt we were in a strong position to win. We didn’t manage the game well immediately after scoring, but we kept pushing for a second goal while being mindful of their breaks.”
Looking back at the match, Cooper said, “A draw was a fair outcome. We deserved nothing more than that, but I want to recognize the players for their resilience. It’s easy to falter after a poor start, but the team rallied and showed improvement. It wasn’t a stellar performance, but it was a step up, and I’m proud of their unity in the second half.”
He also expressed frustration over missed opportunities in earlier matches, including against Crystal Palace, but accepted the result against Everton.
On the extreme weather, he commented, “I’ve never seen conditions like that. It was tough for everyone involved, but half-time came at a crucial time for us, particularly since it was extended for safety reasons.”
