MAGICAL MAHREZ RESCUES FOXES

AT THE moment Leicester needed, Riyad Mahrez became the player of old. Found by Islam Slimani’s knock-down, the Algerian knew his mind and had the skill to execute. Mahrez chested the ball and drove a finish into the bottom corner, bringing his team level with ten minutes remaining. Having been dropped for Leicester’s last game, Mahrez (right) celebrated his first goal since May by running to the dugout as if a point had been proved. Certainly, Mahrez’s contribution was vital for Craig Shakespeare, who was staring down the barrel of serious scrutiny had Leicester lost this game. But Shakespeare’s late substitutions and switch to three at the back made an impact, with late replacements Ben Chilwell and Slimani combining to create the equaliser. Before that it had looked like Nacer Chadli had emerged from deep freeze at West Bromwich Albion to send a chill down Shakespeare’s spine. The Belgian had not played a minute in the Premier League following a summer row with Tony Pulis and injury problems but provided a spectacular opener at the King Power Stadium after 63 minutes. Kelechi Iheanacho conceded a free-kick close to 30 yards out and Chadli sized up the shot. Kieran Gibbs provided a screen that suckered Kasper Schmeichel, who took a step to his right as Chadli’s arrow bent to his left. Leicester’s drop into the bottom three had almost passed unnoticed over the weekend but after an inconsistent start to the season this game suddenly held significant importance for Shakespeare. Long gone are the heady days when he replaced Claudio Ranieri to such strong effect, with Leicester’s campaign yet to kick-start in earnest. Schmeichel was powerless to prevent Chadli’s stunning opener. ‘I was struggling to see it from the start,’ he admitted. ‘It is frustrating, it was a good strike but, as a keeper, if you can’t see the ball you struggle to make an impact.’ West Brom boss Tony Pulis added: ‘When we scored the goal I felt we became more comfortable — but every game in this league is tough. Unless you are right on it you are not going to get what you deserve.’