Beleaguered Leicester scored for the first time in nine Premier League games and snapped an eight-match losing run by battling to a thrilling 2-2 draw away to Brighton.
Caleb Okoli’s maiden goal in English football earned the Foxes a deserved point at the Amex Stadium after Stephy Mavididi registered the club’s first top-flight goal in 798 minutes of action with a first-half equaliser.
Joao Pedro converted a pair of VAR-awarded penalties to twice put Brighton in front.
But the ninth-placed Seagulls, whose pursuit of European qualification suffered another setback following successive defeats, paid a heavy price for failing to capitalise on a host of other chances and could easily have lost.
Leicester dominated the closing stages and hit a post through Bilal El Khannouss three minutes from time.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s second-bottom side sit 14 points from safety with only 18 left to play for but the result means they cannot be relegated this weekend.
Under-pressure boss Van Nistelrooy vowed to fight on ahead of the trip to the south coast.
The Dutchman recalled Okoli and Mavididi as part of three changes from the side which started Monday’s limp 3-0 loss to Newcastle, while Yasin Ayari, Simon Adingra and Pedro came into the Brighton team beaten 2-1 at bitter rivals Crystal Palace.
Yankuba Minteh wastefully fired into the side-netting and Adingra was denied by Foxes goalkeeper Mads Hermansen as Brighton caused plenty of problems in the opening stages.
Leicester looked shaky defensively but remained a threat on the counter-attack.
Lively forward Mavididi, who had an early effort blocked by makeshift Seagulls centre-back Carlos Baleba, went close with another good opening, before the visitors’ back-line was breached in the 31st minute.
Foxes defender Conor Coady repelled Adingra’s goal-bound effort with his left arm inside the six-yard box and, following a VAR check, Pedro sent Hermansen the wrong way to find the bottom-left corner from the spot.
Albion captain Lewis Dunk then produced a superb block to deny Luke Thomas a leveller.
But, after Adingra clipped the top of Leicester’s crossbar, Dunk was at fault when the away side did hit back seven minutes before the break.
The centre-back miscontrolled the ball in the centre circle, allowing El Khannouss, who scored Leicester’s previous goal – the winner in a 2-1 success at Tottenham on January 26 – to burst clear and slip in Mavididi, who rifled a low shot through Bart Verbruggen after his initial cross was blocked.
Pedro flashed wide and Matt O’Riley rattled the base of the right post as Brighton sought to regain their advantage.
At the other end, Verbruggen was required to tip Kasey McAteer’s header from a Thomas free-kick over the crossbar.
Brighton regained the lead 10 minutes after the restart.
O’Riley was dragged back by Thomas in the box and, following another VAR intervention, Pedro confidently dispatched the ball into the top-right corner.
Van Nistelrooy responded with a triple change and, after substitute Patson Daka forced a fine save out of Verbruggen, saw his side level for a second time.
El Khannouss delivered a delightful free-kick from wide on the right and Italian defender Okoli escaped the Brighton defence to find the net with a diving header.
Leicester were in the ascendancy and very nearly stunned the home crowd further.
El Khannouss curled against the woodwork three minutes from time and Mavididi’s deflected effort flashed wide moments later before the home team were booed off.
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...
Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...
Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...
Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...
Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...
Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...
Alex Cochrane’s superb long-range strike was enough to take League One champions Birmingham over the 100-point mark with a 1-0 win at Stevenage.The game was the perfect example of a clash of styles, Birmingham wanting to play it around, but Stevenage aiming to outwork them.Boro arguably would have been happier with their first-half showing, Jordan Roberts pulling a low shot wide of the targe...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Conor Gallagher's girlfriend dazzles on red carpet as stars gather in Madrid