Foxes pounce on Murray’s miss and dream of Europe

ONLY Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City had won at Brighton this season but a frantic final 15 minutes ensured Leicester stayed in the hunt for Europa League football yesterday.

It all started with Kasper Schmeichel saving a late spot-kick from Glenn Murray, before Vicente Iborra handed Leicester the lead moments later in the 83rd minute.

Wilfred Ndidi was then shown a second yellow card despite an apparent dive by Shane Duffy, before Jamie Vardy sealed the win in stoppage time with his 15th league goal this season.

It left Leicester eighth in the Premier League table and, though some may have thought they have little left to play for, European football is very much within reach.

Seventh spot could be good enough for Europe — as long as Southampton fail to win the FA Cup — and Leicester want to bring that back to the King Power Stadium.

‘The save from Kasper was the turning point because it was a good boost for my players,’ said Foxes manager Claude Puel. ‘I am happy for Kasper. He’s a fantastic keeper.’

For Brighton, this hurt their fight for survival and Murray had a day to forget, squandering a one-on-one opportunity as well as his spot-kick.

‘It’s a moment that changes the game, no doubt about it,’ Chris Hughton said of the penalty. ‘If we’d scored I think we would have gone on to win the game. But it happens.

‘Glenn’s been very good for us this season. There will be nobody down more than what Glenn will be.’

Brighton failed to have a shot on target in the first half but should have taken the lead in the 36th minute when the ball was squeezed through Leicester’s back four for Murray. With only Schmeichel to beat, he blasted his shot wide.

With 77 minutes on the clock, Brighton were awarded their spot-kick when Jose Izquierdo was sandwiched between Harry Maguire and Ndidi.

Murray aimed it to Schmeichel’s left but the goalkeeper guessed correctly. Moments later, a cross by Ben Chilwell found Iborra, who glanced a header into the corner.

Leicester were hanging on after Ndidi was sent off, but as Brighton went in search of a leveller, Vardy scored after Demarai Gray picked him out at the far post. Job done.