Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City played out an enthralling 2-2 draw in their Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, with both sides showcasing resilience in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Brighton, chasing European qualification, started brightly, dominating possession early on. Their pressure paid off in the 31st minute when João Pedro calmly converted a penalty after Simon Adingra’s shot struck Conor Coady’s arm in the box. The Seagulls’ lead, however, was short-lived. Just seven minutes later, Leicester’s Stephy Mavididi ended the Foxes’ 885-minute goal drought in the Premier League, latching onto a precise pass from Bilal El Khannouss to slot past Bart Verbruggen and level the score.
The second half saw Brighton regain the lead through another João Pedro penalty in the 55th minute, this time awarded after a foul on Yankuba Minteh. Pedro’s composure from the spot sparked hopes of a home victory, but Leicester, under Ruud van Nistelrooy, refused to capitulate. In the 74th minute, Caleb Okoli rose highest to meet El Khannouss’ pinpoint cross with a diving header, securing a hard-earned point for the visitors and silencing the Amex crowd.
Brighton’s attacking flair was evident, with Pedro and Minteh causing constant problems, but Leicester’s dogged defending and clinical moments in front of goal ensured they snapped their eight-game losing streak. The Foxes, however, remain deep in relegation trouble, sitting second-bottom and 14 points from safety with only six matches left.
Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler praised his team’s effort but lamented their failure to capitalize on dominance. “We created enough chances to win, but credit to Leicester—they fought hard,” he said post-match. Meanwhile, van Nistelrooy expressed relief at his side’s response. “It’s a step forward. The boys showed character to come back twice,” he noted.