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Direct approach pays off for Everton as Leicester's problems go on

Everton scraped to their first Premier League away win in seven attempts with a 2-0 triumph at Leicester on Boxing Day. The game was not easy on the eye, with both managers adopting direct and low-risk approaches, and it felt suitable that both goals came from long clearances.

Claudio Ranieri stuck to his 4-4-2, but his side were hampered by the absences of three key players, and it did not help that the Italian benched Riyad Mahrez over apparent poor form. With Jamie Vardy one of those absent, the Foxes became one-dimensional and predictable.

Meanwhile, Ronald Koeman switched to a 3-4-3 in order to have a spare centre-back against the two strikers.