Leicester City has not been able to end 2020 with a victory. The number 3 in the Premier League missed a penalty and fell behind Crystal Palace. In the final phase, Barnes took another point out of the fire with the equalizer.
At Leicester, Castagne and Tielemans did not get a place in the starting team. Thus Praet had to uphold Belgian honor. The home team, which had to look for rehabilitation after two heavy defeats, counted on Benteke for the goals as ever.
From the start we had a very tough match. After more than 10 minutes, Crystal Palace should have continued with a man less, but Milivojevic’s elbow strike was without consequence.
Leicester spills with the odds
At fifteen minutes, the broken Barnes was stopped incorrectly in the sixteen. Iheanacho, the replacement of Vardy in the striker, wasted the opportunity and saw goalkeeper Guaita save his penalty.
Then both teams turned the throttle completely open and opportunities rained. Praet rushed over one of the better ones. On the other side, Townsend should always have scored, but he put the ball wide.
Benteke was also noticed, but his header flew – clearly through the hand of defender Amartey – over goal. The referee saw no problem, and the VAR did not budge either.
Around half an hour, Iheanacho again missed a big opportunity. On a cross from Praet, who clearly felt at home in a free role in midfield, the Nigerian headed over from very close range.
Palace benefits
Even after that, Praet and co were unable to convert the predominance into a lead. Just before the hour, Youri Tielemans was allowed to make an appearance on the field. Almost immediately after that it was suddenly 1-0. Zaha set up a counter himself and a moment later worked it decisively in the short corner.
Vardy was then dropped between the lines. Praet was the child of the bill. However, the intensity, which was noteworthy in the first half, decreased further and further. The visitors kept the ball, but lacked creativity in the zone of truth.
Equalizer comes too late
Until a strong playing Barnes crowned his match in the final phase with a great goal. With a low slider he made it 1-1.
That gave us another very exciting final phase. Both teams clearly went for the win. Benteke headed into the hands of Schmeichel, but there was no goal anymore.
Leicester is leaving a provisional second place due to this tie and may have to give up a place in the stand before the end of 2020.
Zaha’s opening goal
Barnes’ equalizer
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- 90+1′
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