First the good news for Leicester fans: Stephy Mavididi’s goal meant their side avoided matching Crystal Palace’s unwanted record of failing to score in nine straight Premier League defeats as they twice came from behind against Brighton to pick up their first point since the end of January.
Unfortunately for Ruud van Nistelrooy and his beleaguered players, it has surely only delayed the inevitable for another week. Two more wins for Wolves will confirm Leicester’s return to the Championship after a season to forget. But having twice fallen behind to penalties from João Pedro, it was the visiting supporters who came away smiling for a change as Caleb Okoli’s thumping header denied Brighton the victory they craved. Bilal El Khannouss – who scored Leicester’s last goal against Tottenham back in the depths of January – almost won it late on for Leicester when he struck the post late on.
“Two negative cycles have been broken, thank God,” admitted Van Nistelrooy. “We haven’t seen enough performances like that in recent weeks.”
On an afternoon when Brighton’s captain, Lewis Dunk, showed the years are finally catching up with him, this was yet another disappointing display from Fabian Hürzeler’s side. They now find themselves five points behind seventh-placed Newcastle having played two more games and there were widespread boos from the home supporters at the final whistle.
“We were too naive, not mature enough and didn’t stick together,” reflected Hürzeler, whose side have now failed to beat all three promoted clubs at home this season. “I wouldn’t say that’s it but we shouldn’t talk about Europe if we play like this.”
Brighton could not have asked for better opponents as they attempted to get their season back on track after four games without a win. A dismal run of 15 defeats from Leicester’s previous 16 games has meant that any hopes of repeating their great escape of 2015 when they took 22 points from a possible 27 under Nigel Pearson after being bottom at Christmas have long since dissipated. Mavididi’s early effort that was blocked by Carlos Baleba was greeted with ironic chants of “we’ve had a shot” from their long-suffering fans.
They had a grandstand view behind Mads Hermansen’s goal as the hosts created a number of early chances but couldn’t find a breakthrough. Mavididi should have made more of another early sight of goal after a mistake from Dunk and there was something comical about the way Leicester fell behind minutes later. After an incisive move started by Baleba – who was filling in at centre-back in place of the suspended Jan Paul van Hecke – Pervis Estupiñán cut the ball back for Simon Adingra just inside the area. His shot was heading in before Conor Coady instinctively stuck out a hand and his sheepish reaction said it all. Incredibly, the referee, Darren Bond, waved play on and it still needed a lengthy VAR check to award the penalty. João Pedro stroked home with ease but Brighton’s joy was short-lived.
Once again Dunk, who has struggled with injuries in his 15th season with Brighton, was at fault as he failed to control a pass and El Khannouss picked out Mavididi, who finished under Bart Verbruggen. Cue wild celebrations in the away end. João Pedro should have restored Brighton’s lead just before half-time but the Brazilian dragged his shot wide with the goal gaping before Matt O’Riley saw his strike come back off the post.
- Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for 'The Guardian'.
- If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.
- In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.
- Turn on sport notifications.
Leicester again played a part in their own downfall at the start of the second half. O’Riley had just forced a good save from Hermansen when he tried to connect with Adingra’s cross and was hauled back by Luke Thomas. Bond allowed play to continue but was forced to reverse his decision for the second time of the afternoon as João Pedro repeated the trick from the spot.
O’Riley set up Yankuba Minteh for a golden opportunity to extend Brighton’s lead that once more went begging. It almost proved costly when Mavididi played in the substitute Patson Daka around a statuesque Dunk but Verbruggen produced a strong save. Brighton survived when Kasey McAteer headed just wide yet there was to be no reprieve when Okoli arrived at the back post to head home a free kick from El Khannouss and bring an end to Leicester’s miserable run.
