Comeback kings Leicester take advantage of sloppy Stoke
‘ARE you Villa in disguise?’ chanted the Leicester fans at the Britannia Stadium after watching their side come from 2-0 down to be level at 2-2 with more than 10 minutes still to play.
Last week the Foxes were 2-0 in arrears to Villa before winning 3-2. They didn’t quite match that feat here but still showed resilience and no small amount of quality to get a point.
Bojan Krkic scored the opener in his first league start since January, having returned from a cruciate ligament injury. Jon Walters capitalised on comic defending to double the lead. But goals from Riyad Mahrez from the spot and Jamie Vardy sealed a deserved draw.
‘Winning [from 2-0 down] is not possible every time,’ said Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri with a wry smile. ‘In the second half we reacted very well. But we need to concentrate better so we don’t concede so often. ’
This is Stoke’s worst start to a Premier League season, having taken just three points from their first six games, and just one point from three home games.
Both Leicester goals came from Stoke mistakes: Marko Arnautovic conceding a penalty for the first, and then Stoke collectively switching off as they appealed for a foul.
‘We made a couple of errors and they capitalised on that,’ said Stoke manager Mark Hughes. Ranieri’s Leicester continue to confound expectations. They dominated the opening exchanges with quick, attractive play.
After almost one-way traffic for 12 minutes, a lovely little turn by Arnautovic near the half-way line allowed him to run free up the left flank with the ball. The Austrian then slotted the ball to Bojan, alone in behind the defence, to collect and clip into the net.
Stoke extended their lead in farcical circumstances. Keeper Jack Butland walloped the ball upfield and Leicester defenders Robert Huth and Wes Morgan failed to stop Walters running on to it and knocking it home. Huth was merely flatfooted. Morgan kicked air, getting barely any contact on a woeful excuse for a back pass. .
Leicester were awarded a penalty for Arnautovic’s shove on Danny Drinkwater early in he second half. Mahrez converted — his fifth goal in six league games this season.
The equaliser came as Stoke were appealing for a free-kick. Morgan grappled with Walters when a long ball was flicked on by Mahrez to Vardy. The latter held off Marc Wilson and drilled home.
The Leicester fans started their Villa chant. Stoke’s wait for a home win goes on. As does Leicester’s fine start.