Leicester City finally ended their 13-hour Premier League goal drought and halted an eight-game losing streak with a spirited 2-2 draw against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
It initially looked like another tough day at the office for the struggling Foxes when João Pedro converted a penalty following a VAR check for Conor Coady’s handball. But instead of crumbling, Leicester showed character, and Stephy Mavididi – the game’s standout performer – brought them level with a well-taken goal just before the break, ending their barren run in front of goal.
Brighton regained the lead in the second half with another Pedro penalty, once again awarded after VAR intervention. However, Caleb Okoli rose highest to nod home an equaliser, sparking jubilant celebrations from the Leicester bench.
The draw may not change Leicester’s dire position – they remain 14 points adrift of safety, and relegation still looms large – but the performance was a much-needed injection of fight and belief for the travelling fans.
For Brighton, it was another frustrating outing at home. Despite enjoying plenty of possession and chances, they failed to put the game to bed. The Amex crowd expressed their dissatisfaction at full-time, with some boos echoing around the stadium.
The Seagulls will finish the season without a home win over any of the three newly-promoted sides – Ipswich, Southampton, and now Leicester – a disappointing statistic for a team that began the campaign with European ambitions. Their hopes of continental qualification took another hit with this result, following back-to-back defeats.
They were nearly punished further late on when Bilal El Khannouss rattled the woodwork with a curling effort in the closing minutes – a moment that could have seen all three points head back to the Midlands.
⭐ Player of the Match: Stephy Mavididi
The winger was electric, scoring a vital goal and leading Leicester’s charge with relentless energy and flair.
📊 Player Ratings:
Brighton: Verbruggen (7), Hinshelwood (5), Dunk (6), Estupiñán (6), Baleba (6), Ayari (6), Adingra (6), Minteh (6), O’Riley (5), Pedro (7), Welbeck (6).
Subs: March (6), Gruda (6), Gómez (6).
Leicester: Hermansen (7), Justin (6), Okoli (7), Coady (6), Thomas (6), Ndidi (6), Soumaré (6), El Khannouss (7), McAteer (6), Mavididi (8), Vardy (6).
Subs: Daka (7), Pereira (7), Skipp (7), De Cordova-Reid (6), Evans (6).
🗣️ What’s Next?
Leicester’s draw may only delay the inevitable, but it offers a glimmer of hope and pride in an otherwise bleak campaign. Brighton, on the other hand, will be left to reflect on what might have been in a season that promised so much but has recently faltered.
