Everton 2-1 Leicester City

Theo Walcott joined Everton in a deal worth more than £20m earlier in the transfer window

Manager Sam Allardyce said new signing Theo Walcott had begun to repay Everton after he scored twice in a 2-1 Premier League win over Leicester.

Walcott, making his second appearance since joining for £20m from Arsenal, helped the hosts to their first victory in eight games in all competitions.

The England international opened the scoring by tapping in Gylfi Sigurdsson's pass after Ben Chilwell lost possession in his own penalty area.

Walcott's second came shortly before half-time, volleying in from close range at the back post after Michael Keane headed on Wayne Rooney's lofted pass.

"He has got something to prove and this is a big transfer at this time of his career," said Allardyce. "He has started to pay us back immediately."

Leicester were given a way back into the game with 20 minutes remaining when Rooney conceded a penalty by pulling back Wilfred Ndidi.

Jamie Vardy smashed the spot-kick into the bottom corner for his 12th goal of the season.

There were nervy moments for Everton when Kelechi Iheanacho hit the crossbar and then the post, while Cuco Martina cleared Matty James' shot off the line.

Aleksandar Dragovic cleared a snap shot to deny England winger Walcott a hat-trick, after goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel collided with Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Everton's first win in any competition since 18 December condemned Leicester to a first defeat of 2018.

Hours before the game, Premier League leaders Manchester City decided not to pursue a deal for Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez, who handed in a transfer request on Tuesday.

Walcott shines & Coleman's comeback

Full-back Seamus Coleman made his Everton return after 10 months out with a double leg break sustained playing for the Republic of Ireland.

He was one of three changes in the back four from the 1-1 draw against West Brom in Everton's previous league game and he lasted the full 90 minutes.

Coleman, 29, was a reassuring presence in defence for Allardyce's side, and offered a real threat and much-needed width going forward.

He linked up well with Walcott on the right and Everton's best attacks came down that flank.

"It was like having a new player," Allardyce said. "He is the example of a perfect professional and someone for every youngster at Everton to look up to.

"He has been out for months and plays like that. Imagine what he will be like when he is match fit - it's scary.

"A new partnership is born - Theo Walcott and Seamus Coleman down the right. That combination was really good."

Walcott, 28, provided much more than goals, leading Everton's defensive press and winning possession seven times.

Everton had registered only 25 shots on target in their previous 10 games under Allardyce, but they managed four against Leicester, all from Walcott.

The one question mark for Everton will be over another January signing, £27m striker Cenk Tosun, who was dropped to the bench and did not feature.

'Hopefully Mahrez will come back with a smile'

It was reported that Mahrez did not train with his Leicester team-mates on Tuesday before the trip to Goodison Park.

The news Manchester City had walked away from a deal because of the £95m cost filtered through about 17:00 GMT, but Foxes manager Claude Puel said the uncertainty had not been a distraction.

Although it was a victory to hold on to their talisman, Mahrez was badly missed in the first half as Leicester looked devoid of ideas in attack and struggled with Everton's high press.

Vardy cut an isolated figure up front, while the defence struggled in possession.

Leicester did improve after the break and pushed for an equaliser after the penalty, but one shot on target is not a good return and they will hope Mahrez can slip back in for the visit of Swansea on Saturday.

Mahrez, who has scored nine goals this season, was named PFA Players' Player of the Year when Leicester won the Premier League in 2015-16.

"We will see with Riyad - perhaps there is some disappointment," Puel told Sky Sports.

"Hopefully he will come back quickly and with a smile and happy to play with us. It's a good thing for the club."

Man of the match - Theo Walcott

A near perfect performance from Theo Walcott, and Sam Allardyce said the winger has "already started to pay us back"

Stats - Big Sam's big milestone

• This was Allardyce's 1,000th game in charge of an English club (W389 D263 L348).

• Walcott has been directly involved in three goals in his first two Premier League games for Everton (two goals and one assist), as many as he had in his previous 20 league games for Arsenal.

• This was the first time Walcott had scored twice in a Premier League game since October 2016.

• Since the start of the 2016-17 season, only Kevin de Bruyne (29) and Christian Eriksen (21) have more assists in the Premier League than Gylfi Sigurdsson (16).

• Marc Albrighton made his 200th Premier League appearance.

• Jamie Vardy has converted nine of his 11 penalties in the Premier League.

What's next?

Walcott will be reunited with his former club as Everton travel to Arsenal on Saturday (17:30 GMT), while Leicester host Swansea (15:00 GMT).