New Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy got help from two well-run strikers to boost a point from a late two-goal deficit to Brighton at the King Power Stadium.
Jamie Vardy and Bobby De Cordova Reid set each other up for late goals as a 2-0 Brighton lead in the 86th minute disappeared in a flash.
Brighton’s dropped points keep them from fifth place. The Seagulls got gorgeous goals from Tariq Lamptey and Yankuba Minteh but finish the day in the seventh with 24 points.
Leicester now sit 16th with 14 points, behind Everton on goal differential and five points clear of the bottom three.
Foxes stretch the Ruud, Vardy vibes
A new boss showing up to deliver a win and then a dramatic draw within a half-week is the perfect prescription for a relegation-challenged side, but it’s pretty clear that the Foxes needed a change at manager. It may also turn out that they picked the right one in Ruud van Nistelrooy, but right now Leicester can look to the production of their all-time leading scorer as Jamie Vardy delivered a goal and an assist in a shocking turnaround for the Foxes. This is the thing — Leicester have both bright young talent and veteran nous. For every Bilal El Khannous — the star at midweek — there are two or three veterans like Vardy, Wilfried Ndidi, and Jordan Ayew. Bobby De Cordova Reid joined that group with a brilliant assist and poacher’s finish in the comeback, and Leicester may pull clear of the bottom three much if Van Nistelrooy is the tactical man and not just a temporary motivation.
Leicester City vs Brighton player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Leicester City vs Brighton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Leicester City vs Brighton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Leicester go to Newcastle at 10am ET Saturday, while Brighton wait a day to entertain rivals Crystal Palace at 9am Sunday.
Leicester City vs Brighton final score: 2-2
Tariq Lamptey 37', Yankuba Minteh 79', Jamie Vardy 86', Bobby De Cordova Reid 90+1'
Leicester City vs Brighton live updates — By Nick Mendola
Bobby De Cordova Reid goal! Leicester 2-2 Brighton (90+1')
The veterans switch up roles and level the score for Ruud van Nistelrooy. The KP is buzzing!
Jamie Vardy goal! Leicester 1-2 Brighton (86th minute)
Good stuff from the Foxes, as two subs deliver a chance for a familiar name.
Oliver Skipp takes his time to spot Bobby De Cordova Reid, who quickly curls a beautiful hard ball to the corner of the six.
Vardy’s got it from there. Not over yet!
Yankuba Minteh goal! Leicester City 0-2 Brighton (79th minute)
Sensational solo goal from ex-Newcastle man Yankuba Minteh.
Mats Wieffer darts onto a loose ball at midfield and sends a hopeful ball over the Leicester defense for Minteh.
The Gambian has so much work to do, and he does it so well, beating two men and the keeper. Wow.
Subs
Leicester make two more moves in the 62d minute, bringing on Bobby Decordova Reid and Stephy Mavididi for Jordan Ayew and Kasey McAtee.
Brighton respond within 10 minutes by sending in Danny Welbeck, Yankuba Minteh, and Matthew O’Riley for Joao Pedro, Evan Ferguson, and Yasin Ayari.
Wilfred Ndidi injury
Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi limps off with a leg injury in the 53rd minute.
Oliver Skipp will take his place. Leicester trail 1-0.
Brighton sub
Mats Wieffer is on for Carlos Baleba at halftime.
Halftime — Leicester City 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
The Foxes had two bright passages of play before the break, the last one defied by a sliding Lewis Dunk, and can take hope into halftime.
Leicester are actually keeping better possession, and Bart Verbruggen had a great save before Dunk’s block, but Brighton have 10 shot attempts and the lead.
Tariq Lamptey goal! Leicester 0-1 Brighton (37th minute)
Pervis Estupinan’s huge cross from the left clears all receivers and is tracked down by Tariq Lamptey on the right.
Lamptey takes a few touches and gets the ball onto his left foot for a terrific finish across goal.
Pervis will take the assist, thanks.
Seagulls waste huge chance
Evan Ferguson is central with the ball and frees himself up with a fine touch.
But instead of ripping a point-blank chance, the youngster defers to Kaoru Mitoma.
The Japanese international loosely curls the ball high and wide of the far post.
Ferguson should shoot there. Mitoma should shoot a lot better.
0-0, 37'.
Brighton advancing
Leicester are holding firm but Brighton’s found their expected hold on the game.
The Seagulls are sending corner kicks onto the doorstep of Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen, as the Arsenal phenomenon is spreading around the Premier League.
The Arsenal phenomenon in this case, oddly enough, is not far off from the historical precedent at every level of soccer to make the goalkeeper very uncomfortable by any means necessary.
Score corners, people will follow.
Even early
The hosts have held the ball more, but it’s an even if unspectacular start at King Power Stadium.
Each side have a shot attempt and a set piece to provide the modest danger we’ve seen so far in Leicester.
0-0, 11'.
Leicester City lineup
Hermansen, Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen, Ndidi, Soumare, El Khannous, Ayew, McAtee, Vardy
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen, Lamptey, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan, Ayari, Baleba, Rutter, Mitoma, Pedro, Ferguson
Leicester City vs Brighton preview — By Nick Mendola
New Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy hopes his side can use fresher legs and better vibes to make it two wins in a row when Brighton and Hove Albion visit the King Power Stadium on Sunday.
Leicester beat West Ham 3-1 in Van Nistelrooy’s Foxes debut on Tuesday, and it was a full 48 hours before Brighton finished its Week 14 fight, a 3-1 loss at Fulham that leaves the Seagulls off their season pace.
Brighton’s loss at Craven Cottage left them four points behind fourth-place Manchester City and puts Fulham right on their heels. The Seagulls have been about the same home and away this season, and have posted notable victories at Newcastle and Bournemouth.
Leicester enter this Week 14 with a four-point advantage over the bottom three, and have been much better defensively at the King Power Stadium.
How to watch Leicester vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday
Venue: King Power Stadium — Leicester
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Leicester City team news, focus
Jamie Vardy turns 38 next month but still has the nose for goal, producing five goals and two assists. Facundo Buonanotte has been very good for the Foxes but will not be able to feature as he’s on loan from Brighton.
OUT: Harry Winks (groin), Jakub Stolarczyk (ankle), Ricardo Pereira (thigh), Abdul Fatawu (knee — out for season), Facundo Buonanotte (loan — unable to face parent club)
Brighton team news, focus
Joao Pedro is in fine form for the Seagulls, who have weathered several injuries and absences. Danny Welbeck was a surprise absence at midweek, and Fabian Hurzeler will be hoping to have the forward back for this one. Bilal El Khannous is coming off his most productive game as a Fox, and the Olympic bronze medalist for Morocco is really hinting at immense potential.
OUT: Solly March (knee), James Milner (thigh), Adam Webster (hamstring), Jack Hinshelwood (knee), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe) | QUESTIONABLE: Danny Welbeck (knock), Joel Veltman (muscle),
Leicester vs Brighton prediction
There are vibes around Leicester right now, for sure, but Van Nistelrooy’s going to have mask over a porous defense. The Foxes have conceded more than 2 xG in three-straight Premier League matches including a loud 2.88 in the two-goal win over West Ham. Vibes are only worth so much, but the extra two days rest may be a bigger factor. Leicester City 1-1 Brighton. — NM
