The run goes on. Ruud van Nistelrooy has not tasted defeat in a league game for nearly two years and after this spectacular comeback, Leicester will believe they have a lucky charm.
The Dutchman looked certain to experience his first league loss as a boss since his PSV Eindhoven team were beaten by Emmen in January 2023. Then Jamie Vardy took over, scoring the first in the 86th minute and creating the second in stoppage time for Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
Until then, Leicester were trailing to goals in either half from Brighton duo Tariq Lamptey and substitute Yankuba Minteh. But Van Nistelrooy’s changes made the difference. De Cordova-Reid’s contribution saved a point and his fellow sub Stephy Mavididi was electric after replacing Jordan Ayew.
Perhaps fatigue caught up with Brighton. Fabian Hurzeler’s team played only last Thursday, which meant Leicester had an extra two days’ rest. But a side with dreams of qualifying for the Champions League should have protected a lead better than this.
Still bouncing from Leicester’s win over West Ham last weekend, the home crowd nearly had a goal to celebrate in the ninth minute when James Justin headed over Jordan Ayew’s clever free-kick.
From that moment until close to half-time, it was Brighton who looked likelier to score. Joao Pedro somehow put Lamptey’s cross wide from eight yards and Mads Hermansen did brilliantly to turn away Pervis Estupinan’s ferocious drive from the edge of the box.
The visitors made Leicester nervous at the back. Ten minutes before the break, Georginio Rutter robbed Victor Kristiansen on the Brighton right. Joao Pedro played it into the path of Nathan Ferguson, who fooled Wilfred Ndidi and teed up Kaoru Mitoma. From close to the spot where Pedro had missed, Mitoma skied his effort.
Leicester’s relief did not last long. Estupinan’s overhit cross found its way to Lamptey, and the full-back stepped inside Ayew’s half-hearted challenge before his swerving strike from the angle of the box dipped just under the bar and found the top corner.
Lamptey was nearly in for another moments later when Ayew found himself in a mess trying to head Lewis Dunk’s long pass to Hermansen. Lamptey raced in on the Dane but failed either to hit the target or pick out a team-mate.
That finally woke up Van Nistelrooy’s men. Bart Verbruggen kept his team in front by clawing away Justin’s header from Kristiansen’s cross, and Dunk did superbly to cut out another delivery from the left-back as Vardy lurked behind him.
Referee Stuart Attwell had left fans scratching their heads in the first half and he continued to do so when the action resumed. Ndidi committed what looked a clear foul on Joao Pedro, injuring himself in the process, though nothing was given. At the other end, Jan Paul van Hecke did well to block Jamie Vardy’s close range effort and – much to his surprise – was rewarded with a goal-kick.
Stephy Mavididi replaced the faltering Ayew on the left and his pace made a difference as Leicester targeted Lamptey’s defensive frailty. Mavididi caused him problems but struggled to find the decisive pass when it was needed.
Yet just as Leicester started to believe, Brighton destroyed them on the break. A simple ball over the top from Mats Wieffer found Minteh racing into space. Kristiansen tried to delay him but Minteh held him off, moved inside and fired beyond Hermansen from close range.
Leicester had new hope when Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s shot clipped the backtracking Mitoma and fell perfectly for Vardy, who volleyed past Verbruggen.
And seconds after five minutes’ stoppage time were called, Vardy ran on to Mavididi’s pass and squared for De Cordova-Reid to tap into an empty net.
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