Leicester v Tottenham LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after Vardy secures draw as Bentancur injured
Leicester 1-1 Tottenham: The veteran striker popped up in the second half to secure the hosts a point
Jamie Vardy marked Leicester’s return to the Premier League with a goal as the hosts secured an unlikely point against Tottenham Hotspur.
Captain Vardy had not been expected to feature in the opening fixture of his side’s top-flight comeback having missed most of the preseason due to injury, but was deemed fit enough to start with Steve Cooper lacking in alternative forward options. And it had to be him to produce a magic moment: Spurs had dominated the entirety of the contest unti the veteran striker headed home a second half equaliser totally against the run of play, Vardy directing Abdul Fatawu’s cross into the corner to secure a 1-1 draw.
Tottenham had appeared to have been cruising to an opening weekend win after Pedro Porro capitalised on their sustained pressure with a flicked first-half finish. With James Maddison sparkling on his return to his former club, the floodgates appeared likely to open thereafter, but a series of squandered chances from new recruit Dominic Solanke and the rest of the Spurs’ forward line left Leicester in touch, allowing Vardy to pop up and spark a King Power Stadium party again.
There was a worrying moment late on as Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur appeared to be knocked out in a clash of heads. After several minutes of treatment, the Uruguayan was sitting up and talking in the Tottenham dressing room after being carried off on a stretcher, and will continue to be monitored in line with concussion protocols.
Re-live all the action from the King Power Stadium below:
Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 53 minutes
That has just stirred the home crowd from their slumber. A crunching tackle from Jannik Vestergaard on Dominic Solanke also gets them going, while Heung-min Son is appropriately marshalled as he picks up the pieces.
Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 52 minutes
Leicester’s brightest move of the match! The flag is up against Bobby Decordova-Reid but until he was slightly too eager in his sprint, it was immaculate passing football, the summer signing and Jamie Vardy combining effectively. Pape Sarr got back to block Decordova-Reid’s shot before the linesman intervened, but it’s a sign that Tottenham are far from safe just one ahead.
Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 50 minutes
A useful intervention from Victor Kristiansen, stepping across James Maddison after some lovely football between the Tottenham midfielder and Pedro Porro.
Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 48 minutes
There isn’t anything overly apparent in terms of tactical shifts from Leicester, the same 4-4-2 used out of possession with the hosts yet to touch the ball in the half.
Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 46 minutes
No immediate substitutions, the 22 men that started the game back out there for more.
Second half...
Just about a quarter of possession so far for the home side. Enzo Maresca-ball this is not, but Steve Cooper will surely remind his players that, despite their inferiority, it is only 1-0. Does the Leicester manager change the approach or personnel?
HT: Leicester 0-1 Tottenham
One-way traffic in Leicester, the hosts outplayed and outgunned by a Tottenham side who look like they mean business. James Maddison has sparkled on his return to the King Power Stadium, creating a hatful of chances, and Ange Postecoglou will be disappointed his side managed only Pedro Porro’s flicked finish in 45 minutes they totally controlled.
A difficult return to the top flight for Steve Cooper and his side so far, but they remain in touch.
Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 45 minutes
Just the one additional minute to be played.
Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 44 minutes
Into the final few moments of the half, Tottenham’s back four having largely set up camp on the white line through the centre of the King Power Stadium surface.
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