Schmeichel saves penalty as Leicester draws 0-0 with Brighton

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel saved a first-half penalty yesterday to help his team earn a 00 draw against Brighton in the Premier League and inch closer to Champions League qualification.

Neal Maupay, who was Brighton's match-winner with a stoppage-time goal against Arsenal on Saturday, saw his low penalty stopped by Schmeichel in the 14th minute at the King Power stadium.

Aaron Connolly earned the spot kick after being tripped by James Justin in one of the few noteworthy passages of play in a match lacking intensity and excitement without any fans.

It was the third goalless draw in 13 matches since the restart of the league last week.

Third-place Leicester moved nine points clear of fifth-place Manchester United, which currently occupies the final Champions League qualifying spot following the two-year European ban handed to second-place Manchester City. That ban is being appealed.

United has a game in hand. Brighton pulled six points clear of the relegation zone but has played a game more than its rivals at the bottom of the standings.

One of the most bizarre incidents in the game saw Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan attempt to bowl the ball out from his area to one of his teammates, only to somehow throw it behind himself.

Leicester striker Jamie Vardy pounced on the ball but Ryan recovered to snuff out the danger.

Martinelli adds to Arsenal's injury woes

Arsenal's injury woes intensified when young forward Gabriel Martinelli was ruled out for "months" by manager Mikel Arteta yesterday.

Arteta said the Brazilian damaged his knee in training when he "got hit by another player" in the last action of a practice session on Monday.

"The doctors are assessing the extent of the injury, but it's not looking good at all," Arteta said. "We don't know, but he's looking at months."

Arsenal has already lost three players to in-game injuries since the restart of the Premier League — goalkeeper Bernd Leno, defender Pablo Mari and midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Leno was taken off on a stretcher during the 2-1 loss at Brighton on Saturday. Arsenal initially feared a very long absence, but the Germany international may only be out for up to six weeks.

"Well we thought it was going to be a more significant injury," Arteta said.

"We don't know the extent of the injury still but at least we know the cruciate ligaments are not damaged.

"That was the biggest fear at the start. He was more positive and in less pain today, so that's good news.