Premier League
Leeds United 1 (Sinisterra 20’)
Leicester City 1 (Vardy 80’)
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling, Firpo, Koch, Cooper (C), Roca, Bamford, Harrison, Rodrigo (Aaronson 68’), Sinisterra (Summerville 32’), McKennie. Subs not used: Robles (GK), Forshaw, Struijk, Rutter, Kristensen, Gnonto, Greenwood.
Leicester: Iversen (GK), Faes, Soyuncu, Barnes (Daka 70’), Tielemans (C), Maddison, Iheanacho (Praet 81’), Kristiansen, Castagne, Tete (Vardy 70’), Soumare. Subs not used: Ward (GK), Souttar, Amartey, Dewsbury-Hall, Mendy, Ndidi.
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 36,666
Referee: Paul Tierney
Booked: Ayling, Rodrigo, Roca, Cooper (Leeds) Soumare, Tielemans (Leicester)
Leeds United had to settle for a point at home to Leicester City on Tuesday evening. The Whites went into a first half lead through Luis Sinisterra, only to see that cancelled out in the second half by Jamie Vardy.
Each side had chances to win the game in the of the 36,666 strong crowd at Elland Road, but couldn’t take them, meaning the spoils were shared in game number 33 of their respective campaigns.
The away end erupted in just the seventh minute of the match after an unstoppable strike from Youri Tielemans found the top corner, via the underside of the bar. However the celebrations from the away fans were cut short after VAR correctly ruled the goal out for an offside in the build up.
Leicester did have the best two chances of the opening period of the match. The first was through Harvey Barnes, but he saw a superb bit of defending Liam Cooper deny his goal bound effort.
The next one came down the wing as Kelechi Iheanacho created space for himself to cross to the back post. It was inch-perfect for the onrushing James Maddison, who could only poke the ball wide of the goal, in a let-off for the Whites.
After the early warning signs, Leeds regained their composure and took the lead in the match with an excellent goal in the 20th minute.
Jack Harrison worked a chance brilliantly on the wing to cut inside and cross to the back post. His delivery was pinpoint for Sinisterra to meet the ball with a header, guided with precision into the back of the net.
After his early effort and goal in the game, Sinisterra picked up an injury and despite trying to run it off, had to be substituted in the 32nd minute. Crysencio Summerville came on in his place.
A tense battle under the lights of Elland Road continued. Both sets of supporters were giving their team everything as the game approached half-time. No further goals arrived though, with Leeds going in ahead.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Leicester City
No changes were made at the break as the second half resumed in West Yorkshire in this important Premier League encounter.
The first chance of the second 45 came to Leeds, through clever play by the hard-working Rodrigo. The striker cut into the box and worked space for a shot, but his right-footed effort was blocked by Wout Faes, then cleared.
Looking to respond, Leicester had set-play opportunities. The Whites dealt well with a couple of corners, but the best chance of all was from Maddison who had a free-kick 20-yards out, which he blasted straight into the wall.
Gracia went to his bench again with just over 20 minutes remaining. After a thoroughly hard-working display, Rodrigo was replaced by Brenden Aaronson in the number 10 position behind Bamford.
Dean Smith responded with a double change of his own, bring on attacking reinforcements, as Vardy and Patson Daka replaced Barnes and Tete.
Daka was straight into the play. He linked up with Iheanacho who forced Illan Meslier into an excellent save, before the ‘keeper reacted superbly to then deny Daka on the follow up chance at close range.
It would be the other Foxes substitute who did equalise for them though, with 10 minutes to go. A quick break allowed Maddison to play the ball left to Vardy, who struck home first time into the bottom corner.
The striker would find the net for a second time just seconds later, but this time the offside flag was correctly raised once again to keep the scores level.
Entering the final few minutes and searching for a winner, a Marc Roca header forced an excellent save from Daniel Iversen in the Foxes net, before then seeing it blocked on the line on a follow up.
The whistle blew to end what had been a hard-fought and tense clash at Elland Road, with both teams taking a point away from the encounter.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-1 Leicester City