LEICESTER CITY FORCED TO GET DRAW 1:1 AGAINST BRIGHTON

City surrendered the lead again at the King Power stadium as Brighton finished strongly on Sunday afternoon, with only a fine save from Schmeichel preventing a repeat of the collapse against Spurs.

Brendan Rodgers made three changes to his side with Justin making his first start in almost a year, Amartey back from the Africa Cup of Nations, and Barnes returning to the starting XI.

City carved out the first chance of the game in the 3rd minute with a slick passing move through midfield that led to Justin going on a surging run into the area. Although his progress was halted, the loose ball fell for Maddison, but his shot was blocked by Sánchez at the near post.
In the 11th minute a spell of pressure on Brighton’s goal ended with Justin being blocked off by Webster, but City’s penalty appeals fell on deaf ears.


Although the possession starts were fairly even it was City who were creating the chances.
Maddison made room for himself with some neat footwork but had his shot blocked, and then he curled a free-kick into the side-netting.
City’s best chance came in the 35 minute when Barnes slipped a ball into Lookman’s path but his low shot went straight at Sánchez.
Brighton produced little going forward, Mac Allister hoofed a shot well over and then Schmeichel dealt with a Trossard effort just before the break.

The sides went in goalless at the break, but that state of affairs only lasted 28 seconds in the second half.
A Dewsbury-Hall header sent Maddison on a run, and he played a ball to Lookman, which was returned to him. Maddison’s shot was deflected to Barnes who jabbed the ball towards goal. Sánchez parried it away but Daka was in the right place to lash it home from close range.


Brighton pressed forward in search of an equaliser, but Schemichel made a near post block and then Moder sent a shot sailing into the crowd.
Bjorn Hamberg, standing in for the isolating Graham Potter, made a double change in the 62nd minute bringing on Welbeck and Lamptey. This instantly gave Brighton more of a threat and Brendan Rodgers responded two minutes later, bringing on Albrighton for Barnes.
But this led to a gradual retreat by City. Lamptey jinked his way down the right and delivered a cross for Welbeck, whose solid near post header was brilliantly blocked by Schmeichel.


But as Brighton kept the pressure on there was nothing Schmeichel could do about the Seagulls 82nd minute equaliser. Maupay lofted a ball to the far post and Welbeck rose above City’s defence to plant a header just inside the left hand post.
There was a strong feeling of déjà vu as Brighton peppered City’s goal in the closing stages. Cucurella fired a shot over and then Burn got a solid head to a corner which Tielemans nodded away from under the bar. A March through ball then sent Trossard in down the left channel but Schmeichel reacted brilliantly to throw out a hand and block his fierce low drive.
City held out for the point, but there were loud boos at the final whistle.

Brendan Rodgers commented: “It was a fair result. First half we forced their keeper into some great saves after getting into good areas. We weren’t in trouble too much. We get the goal early in the second half which set us up really well but we didn’t keep the ball well enough, we lost the ball too easily and couldn’t keep possession. They can bring pressure onto you and it led to their goal. Kasper made a couple of great saves, so I felt the result overall was fair.”

The point took City back into the top half and the best thing about the afternoon was the performance of James Justin who already showed signs that he could be the player he was before his injury.
#Leicestercity #Sports #francischbydpost