Both sides are troubled by the spectre of relegation this season and the commitment of the players was there for all to see.
But it was Wayne Rooney's sheer class that separated the two sides.
Coming off the bench for the second time in a row he grabbed the equaliser that dragged his team back into the game.
The Blues took the lead after a bit of luck and the body of Steve Howey.
A 60-yard free-kick was launched into the Foxes area which the visiting defence failed to gather. Lee Carsley ran on to the ball and his shot was helped into the net by the luckless Howey.
Everton were comfortably in control and looking to coast to an easy victory but despite creating all the chances and dominating possession Leicester found their way back into the game just before the half-time whistle.
A free-kick conceded 30 yards out looked harmless enough until Everton's constant complaining became too much for the referee and he moved the ball ten yards forward to the edge of the box.
Muzzy Izzet laid the ball off and Les Ferdinand fired a great shot into the back of the net.
Then in the 57th minute Leicester took a surprise lead. Everton seemed to fall asleep and a looping cross found Jamie Scowcroft who knocked the ball home.
David Moyes reacted immediately by bringing on Rooney and in the 70th minute he drew Everton level.
Kevin Campbell won the ball on the edge of the six-yard box and found Rooney unmarked 18 yards out. He knocked the ball back and the young England star launched a thundering drive past Ian Walker.
And then Moyes' other substitute striker, Duncan Ferguson, played a part in fashioning the winner.
He rose above the Leicester defence to knock down a long cross to the feet of Tomasz Radzinski. The Canadian turned and managed to tuck a shot away at the far post for a deserved victory.