Brendon Rodgers condemned the penalty decision which has dented Leicester’s Champions League hopes.
Gylfi Sigurdsson scored from the spot to put Everton two goals up and ultimately deliver victory, but it took the VAR officials Craig Pawson and Simon Long fully two and a half minutes to decide Wilfried Ndidi had handled.
And Rogers insisted that proves it was far from an obvious mistake from referee David Coote.
“The penalty was very, very harsh to be given against us, especially as it took so long to come to a decision. In this environment to go a second goal down made it very difficult,” he said.
“It certainly wasn’t clear and obvious - it was so harsh, and there are a few of those we haven’t got this year, when they were much clearer. To go two goals down made it very hard for us.”
Leicester did rally, but still stumbled to a defeat which means they could lose their place in the top four this weekend if results go against them.
But Rodgers insisted he can motivate his side to achieve what they have promised for much of the season, and deliver that Champions’ League place, despite the slump in form.
“I assume responsibility, and if we finish outside it, then we haven’t been good enough - you have to sustain it over 38 games. But we have to turn the screw now and get back.
“So it is my job to help them get it, it is what I am here to do. Thankfully our form earlier in the season was good, and while results haven’t been good recently, we have it in our hands still to get what we want, and perform with a much greater level in our game.
“It is hard to put the finger on it, but somehow we have to fight our way back into, and that starts with mentality. We are a young side, and you have to help them through this process.
While Leicester’s Champions League hopes are now looking far less certain than before the turn of the year, Everton have their eyes firmly on Europe.
They have moved to within a couple of points from the Europa League places, and their manager Carlo Ancelotti said this win was a big result in their push for that prize.
“That is the aim and that is what we wanted from this game, three points to gives us the possibility to continue the dream we have - we have to be there to fight for a place in Europe.
“I’m really happy with the spirit the team has shown in these three games - everyone has been so focused, we didn’t make any mistakes. Of course we can improve the quality, but the key is the spirit of the thing.”
Ancelotti confirmed that Richardson, who limped off early in the second half, suffered only a knock on his ankle.
