A L B I O N R E P O R T - ( 16 )
21 JANUARY 2023 -
LEICESTER CITY 2 ( Marc Albrighton 38 mins, Harvey Barnes 63 mins )
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 ( Kaoru Mitoma 27 mins, Evan Ferguson 88 mins)
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the KING POWER STADIUM, LEICESTER.
The Seagulls were back on the road again, this time to the Midlands to meet Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the Premier, the game being broadcast over the airwaves on BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Prior to the start of the game Albion were in seventh position in the Premier with 30 points from 18 games whilst Leicester were in fifteenth spot with 17 points from 19 games.
After their superb 3-0 win over Liverpool at the Amex on the 14 January, Albion made two changes to their starting line-up from that game, with Jan Paul Van Hecke and Danny Welbeck coming in for Levi Colwill (injured) and Evan Ferguson. It was Dutchman Van Hecke's first Premier League start for the Seagulls.
In their previous outing the Foxes had lost 0-2 at Nottingham Forest in the Premier on the 14 January and for Albion's visit Manager Brendan Rodgers made two changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Dennis Praet and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall replacing Wilfred Ndidi and Marc Albrighton.
The teams met three times last season. In the Premier, the Seagulls won 2-1 at the Amex on the 19 September 2021, with their goals coming from Neal Maupay and Danny Welbeck , with Jamie Vardy replying for the Foxes. In the return fixture at the King Power Stadium on the 23 January 2022 the teams drew 1-1, with Danny Welbeck scoring for the Albion after Patson Daka had opened the scoring for Leicester.
The third meeting was in the Carabao Cup, Fourth Round on the 27 October 2021 at Leicester when it was 2-2 after 90 minutes and the Foxes won the penalty shoot-out 4-2. In their Premier League clash earlier this season on the 4 September 2022 at the Amex, an excellent display by the Albion saw them run out 5-2 winners, with their goals coming from Alexis Mac Allister 2 , Luke Thomas (OG), Moises Caicedo and Leandro Trossard. Leicester's goals were scored by Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka .
It was all Albion from the off and early on Leicester keeper Danny Ward deflected Jan Paul Van Hecke's header over his crossbar. The Seagulls deservedly opened their account on 27 minutes with a beauty, as Pervis Estupinan found Kaoru Mitoma on the left and the winger cut inside before unleashing a magnificent right-foot curled shot from the edge of the area into the top corner. Keeper Ward didn't stand a chance. 0-1.
Soon after, Albion lost the services of Adam Lallana, to injury on 30 minutes, Joel Veltman substituting. Leicester got a fortunate equaliser on 38 minutes when a Foxes counter saw shots from HarveyBarnes and Youri Tielemans blocked by Veltman and Lewis Dunk respectivelybefore substitute Marc Albrighton forced the loose ball home for a Foxes equaliser.1-1. The home side were fortunate to be level at the break.
Half-time 1-1.
Minutes into the second-half Albion should have been awarded a penalty when Danny Welbeck was clearly felled by Luke Thomas in the box. Referee Thomas Bramall waved aside Albion's appeals for a penalty, there was no VAR referral and Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi received a yellow card for his protestations.
The Seagulls should have regained the lead on 57 minutes when a mazy run by Mitoma ended with a pass to Solly March whose shot was skied way over the bar when he should have scored. Worse was to follow, as from a Leicester corner, Van Hecke flapped at the ball with his boot which fell to Barnes who gratefully fired home from close-range to put Leicester ahead. 2-1.
Albion brought on Evan Ferguson for Welbeck on 66 minutes and went for the equaliser as efforts by March, substitute Tariq Lamptey and Alexis Mac Allister went close. The Seagulls were rewarded with an equaliser on 88 minutes as Estupinan sent over a pinpoint cross which was headed home by Ferguson for a more than deserved leveller. 2-2. Albion comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.
Final-score 2-2.
Albion had 13 shots at goal, with 4 on target and won 6 corners, free-kicks conceded - 9. Leicester City had 9 shots at goal, with 2 on target and won 5 corners, free-kicks
conceded - 9.
TO SUM UP - Although slightly off the pace, the Seagulls fought back well to snatch a point. Young striker Evan Ferguson (18) is emerging as a real prospect as Albion continue to add nuggets to their squad.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Robert Sanchez; Pascal Gross, Jan Paul Van Hecke (Tariq Lamptey 78), Lewis Dunk (Capt), Pervis Estupinan; Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister; Solly March, Adam Lallana (Joel Veltman 30), Kaoru Mitoma; Danny Welbeck (Evan Ferguson 66).
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Adam Webster, Jeremy Sarmiento, Billy Gilmour, Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav.
Leicester City line-up (4-4-2):- Danny Ward; Timothy Castagne, Daniel Amartey, Wout Faes, Luke Thomas; Dennis Praet (Marc Albrighton 35), Youri Tielemans, Nampalys Mendy, Harvey Barnes; Jamie Vardy (Patson Daka 86), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (James Maddison 69).
Subs not used: Daniel Iversen (G/K), Caglar Soyuncu, Jannik Vestergaard, Lewis Brunt, Kasey McAteer, Kelechi Iheanacho.
Referee: Thomas Bramall (Sheffield). Fourth Official: Peter Bankes.
VAR Official: Lee Mason.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Alexis Mac Allister, Roberto De Zerbi.
Possession: Albion - 64%. Leicester City - 36%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Lewis Dunk (Albion).
Attendance: 32056 (including 3275 Albion fans).
TRANSFER NEWS:
20 JANUARY 2023 - LEANDRO TROSSARD - ( 28 ) - FORWARD - Joins Arsenal on a a contract till the end of the 2026/27 season, plus a 1 year option to renew for a fee of £21million plus add-ons.