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 0-0 Tottenham, 16 minutes
That’s more like it from Steve Cooper’s side, Abdul Fatawu jinking nicely and then finding an elegant pass out to the opposite wing. Bobby Decordova-Reid can’t make much progress beyond 30 yards from the Tottenham goal, but that is about as far forward as they have ventured so far.
Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 15 minutes
It is chucking it down in Leicester, which has slickened the surface in a manner which seems to be suiting Spurs. The hosts have been profligate each time they’ve had possession, allowing their opponents the chance to regather it a little too easily.
Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 13 minutes
How much longer will the ramparts hold, though? Tottenham continue to bombard the Leicester box, Dominic Solanke just squeezed out before directing another dangerous Pedro Porro cross into Mads Hermansen’s midriff.
Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 12 minutes
A Leicester head flicks on James Maddison’s next inswinger. Across the midfielder trots to take from the other side, teeing up Pedro Porro short.
Porro’s whip hits the forehead of Cristian Romero, standing tall under pressure, but the Argentine can’t find the target. Spurs are laying siege but the castle walls are yet to be breached.
Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 11 minutes
This is an excellent start though from Tottenham, Maddison zippy, Heung-min Son ever a threat. The pair draw another corner with some neat passing and interchanging down the left.
Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 8 minutes
More chances for Spurs. James Maddison tests the palms of Mads Hermansen soon after that Bentancur header, before a stooping Dominic Solanke gets his head to a floated cross to the far post. Could Solanke have gone for it with his foot? His goalwards nod has nothing like the requisite power to test Hermansen.
Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 6 minutes
A remarkable clearance from Wilfred Ndidi! Rodrigo Bentancur flicks with menace across the face of goal as James Maddison gets his delivery spot on, and the midfielder’s header appears destined for the embrace of the net mesh inside Mads Hermansen’s left-hand post. But a leaping Ndidi acrobatically tonks the ball away, hurling himself towards his own line and hooking a vital swinging limb beneath it.
Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 5 minutes
Spurs strum the ball about with pace and poise, settling into possession for the first time. Leicester seem happy enough to cede control of the ball, two blue banks of four behind the ball.
Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 3 minutes
Facundo Buonanotte is playing just off Jamie Vardy, pushing up alongside the striker in Leicester’s defensive shape.
Dominic Solanke earns a free kick out of Jannik Vestergaard, the tall Dane bumping the new Spurs recruit in the back. Tottenham soon earn the game’s first corner, which James Madidson saunters over to take to a mixed reception.
Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 2 minutes
Jamie Vardy’s 37-year-old legs look sharp enough as he threatens the Tottenham back four for the first time, and the striker has enough energy to press high up the field, too. A bit of a grimace, seemingly, with the Leicester captain not close to full fitness, but having been ruled out by his manager last week, it’s a real boost for Vardy to be available.
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