KASPER KEEPING FOXES’ EURO DREAM ALIVE

WHEN Leicester were crowned Premier League champions in 2016, there were fears that big clubs with bigger bank balances would pick off their players at will. They lost N’Golo Kante, but otherwise have done well. Jamie Vardy was tied down to a new deal amid Arsenal interest and Manchester City have been made to wait for Riyad Mahrez. This summer, it will start all over again, and Leicester’s latest transfer test could be keeping hold of their goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel. Arsenal are about to search the market for a new No 1 and Liverpool are known to admire the Dane. Against Brighton on Saturday, 31-year-old Schmeichel showed why. He produced a series of secondhalf stops and saved a Glenn Murray spot-kick in the 77th minute at 0-0. It means he has now saved three Premier League penalties — as many as his dad Peter did throughout his illustrious career. It sparked Leicester into life as Vicente Iborra and Vardy scored in the 83rd and 96th minutes to secure a win that keeps them in the hunt for the Europa League. When asked about his goalkeeper, Foxes boss Claude Puel sang Schmeichel’s praises but added tellingly: ‘We’re lucky to have him.’ Leicester had to see this out following Wilfred Ndidi’s late sending-off but it was vital as they crave a return to Europe following their season in the Champions League. ‘Any club wants to be in European football,’ Schmeichel said. ‘We had a taste of the best competition in the world and they were great nights. It is something we want to try again.’ Leicester are fighting for seventh place with Burnley and know that could mean qualification for Europe, as long as Southampton do not win the FA Cup. This was a day to forget for Murray, who squandered a oneon-one as well as his spot-kick, but Seagulls head coach Chris Hughton held nothing against his 34-year-old striker. ‘Glenn has been very good for us this season,’ Hughton said. ‘It’s no different if a defender makes a mistake which leads to a goal. Look at the goals he’s scored.’ Murray said: ‘If he goes the other way it goes in. He has obviously done his homework. It was just one of those days for me.’ Only Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City had won at the Amex Stadium before Leicester this season. Huddersfield visit next — a huge game for both sides near the foot of the table. ‘You don’t want to have to rely on any other team,’ Hughton added. ‘It’s our responsibility and our opportunity to get three points.’ BRIGHTON (4-4-1-1): Ryan 6; Schelotto 6, Duffy 5, Dunk 5.5, Bong 6; Locadia 6 (March 75min, 6), Propper 6, Kayal 5.5 (Baldock 84), Izquierdo 5.5; Gross 5.5; Murray 4.5. Subs not used: Krul, Bruno, Hemed, Goldson, Suttner. Booked: Bong, Kayal. Manager: Chris Hughton 6. LEICESTER (4-4-1-1): SCHMEICHEL 8; Simpson 6, Morgan 7, Maguire 6, Chilwell 6; Mahrez 6 (Fuchs 85), Iborra 7, Ndidi 6, Albrighton 6 (Gray 79); Okazaki 6 (Diabate 56, 6); Vardy 6.5. Subs not used: Jakupovic, Iheanacho Silva, Dragovic. Scorers: Iborra 83, Vardy 90+6. Booked: Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell, Ndidi. Sent off: Ndidi. Manager: Claude Puel 7. Referee: Chris Kavanagh 5.5. Attendance: 30,629.