Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure has scored the quickest home goal in Premier League history.
Just 10.18 seconds were on the clock when the midfielder broke the deadlock against Leicester at Goodison Park on Saturday.
GettyDoucoure fired Everton into an early lead in Merseyside[/caption]
Straight from kick-off, James Garner passed the ball back to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who in turn hoofed a long pass upfield.
Beto did well to bully Boubakary Soumare in the air – allowing Beto to run onto the ball.
Taking one touch, Doucoure then fired a right-footed shot from the edge of the six-yard box into the bottom left corner.
And while Everton’s players and fans celebrated wildly at their rapid start, ex-Watford striker Troy Deeney was left in disbelief by Leicester’s static defending.
Speaking on talkSPORT commentary, Deeney said: “That’s schoolboy stuff, that’s what that is.
“This place has just erupted, it’s wonderful for Everton, a great start, it’s a simple ball in.
“As you see at every kick-off, it goes back to Pickford, he launches it forward, Beto puts his body there, it bounced.
“But the defending from Leicester is ridiculous.
“[Jannik] Vestergaard standing and watching, it allows Doucoure just to run in, untouched, takes one touch, hits it with his second, goal.”
Doucoure’s goal is the fourth quickest in Premier League history, behind Shane Long‘s strike for Southampton at Watford in April 2019 [1.69 seconds].
Philip Billing’s early opener for Bournemouth at Arsenal in March 2023 came in at 9.11 seconds.
And Ledley King‘s deflected long-range effort for Tottenham against Bradford in December 2000 came in 9.82 seconds.
Things got worse for Leicester five minutes later when Beto doubled the hosts’ lead for his first Premier League goal since October.
An over-the-top through ball from James Tarkowski sent the Guinea-Bissau through on goal, where just like Doucoure, he sent a low shot into the bottom left corner.
Deeney couldn’t believe what he was witness from the visitors, as he simply stated: “Leicester, oh my God, you are so bad defensively.”
Just like London buses, having waited so long top get back on the score sheet, Beto brought up his second of the afternoon just before half-time.
AFPBeto doubled Everton’s lead over Leicester in the sixth minute[/caption]
It was Garner who this time split Leicester’s defence with a through ball to send Beto one-on-one with goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
Beto then proceeded to open his body up to curl the ball home in the bottom right corner.
Victory for Everton would see them jump up to 15th and leapfrog above Tottenham in the table.
But more importantly, it would see them extend their lead over 18th-placed Leicester to nine points.
Everton have enjoyed a fine return to form since David Moyes returned to Merseyside having won their last two matches heading into their clash with Ruud van Nistelrooy‘s men.