English Premier League

Leicester City 0 – 0 Brighton Hove

Leicester City keeper turns to be hero as he saves a penalty against Brighton Hove. Frenchman Maupay, Brighton’s hero in the previous game with a late winner against Arsenal, had his first-half spot-kick brilliantly saved by Kasper Schmeichel low to his right. Neal Maupay’s missed penalty proved pivotal as Brighton and Leicester played out a drab Premier League goalless draw at the King Power Stadium.

It was the only chance of note in a lacklustre match, not helped by an empty stadium or the scorching weather. The point consolidated Leicester’s hold on third place in the table, nine points clear of Manchester United in fifth, while Brighton moved six points away from the relegation zone. One to forget. There have been questioning marks over the entertainment factor in some top-flight games since the restart and this fixture will not live long in the memory.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers may be concerned by his side’s downturn in form in the second half of the season – they have won only one of their past seven-game, having at one stage been the nearest rivals to runaway league leaders, Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Brighton’s win against Arsenal on Saturday was their first of the year and they have plenty of work to do to maintain their top-flight status with Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool still to play, as well as a crucial fixture against bottom-of-the-table Norwich. Leicester captain Schmeichel made one save in the entire contest but it was key as he guessed the right way to keep out Maupay’s thumping penalty, awarded after Justin James bundled over Aaron Connolly in the area.

At the other end, the statistics will show Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan as having made two stops, although they were more akin to pass backs than efforts on goal. Leicester playmaker James Maddison barely made a mark on the game – he lashed a shot over in frustration – while striker Jamie Vardy’s wait for his 100th Premier League goal continues.

What next?
Leicester face Chelsea in the FA Cup sixth round on Sunday at 16:00 BST, while Brighton host Manchester United in the league on Tuesday at 20:15.

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