Harvey Barnes has been linked with a move to Man United (Getty Images)
There was absolutely nothing to choose between the two teams as Leicester City and West Ham played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in what was an enthralling contest at the London Stadium.
Brendan Rodgers’ side missed the chance to leapfrog Watford into the Europa League qualification spot while West Ham stayed 11th and did their chances of securing the 7th spot no good at all.
Both the teams had quite a few chances to open the scoring in the first half, with the best of them falling to Jamie Vardy early in the game. Marcus Albrighton put in a perfect delivery from the flanks but the striker just wasn’t able to get a good enough effort away on goal.
On the other side, Michail Antonio failed to convert off Marko Arnautovic’s cross from the right, as Ricardo Pereira came in with a crucial tackle just at the right time.
It was Antonio, though, who broke the deadlock and put the home side on the front foot in the 37th minute, timing his jump to perfection and beating Ben Chilwell to head it home off Mark Noble’s pinpoint cross from the left-hand side of the pitch.
Leicester went into the break 1-0 down after a mediocre first half performance and the Foxes needed to pull their socks up to get themselves back into the game in the second half.
The visitors showed more urgency early in the second half and it was Jamie Vardy who drew level for Rodgers’ side, getting ahead of his marker Fabian Balbuena and beating Fabianski with a devastating finish off Chilwell’s delivery.
Both the teams pushed for a winner and it looked as if West Ham had found one when substitute Lucas Perez put the hosts 2-1 up in the 82nd minute with a simple tap-in, after fellow substitute Pedro Obiang’s shot cannoned back off the post.
With time running out for Leicester, Rodgers pulled out his trump card in a bid to overturn the deficit and brought on the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho and Harvey Barnes. Lucas Perez had a goal ruled out for offside after being played onside by Ricardo for the second goal, though replays showed that the Spaniard might have been level with Harry Maguire down the far side.
Leicester looked set for their third defeat under Rodgers but Barnes had other ideas. Youri Tielemans, who has been ever so influential for the Foxes since his arrival in January, strengthened his claims for a permanent move with a delightful through ball to set up a golden chance for the substitute.
And Barnes didn’t disappoint, drawing the visitors level in injury-time with a clinical finish. Phil Foden scored his first ever Premier League goal in Man City’s 1-0 victory over Spurs earlier on the day and Barnes joined the list as well.
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The draw will certainly boost Leicester’s spirits ahead of a tough test at home against Arsenal on Monday night.
Twitter Reactions from Leicester Fans
If Tielemans’ defensive-splitting pass for Barnes’ goal didn’t give you an erection I don’t know what will. #lcfc
— Kip Smithers (@CaliBesteen) April 20, 2019
He’s one of our own #lcfc pic.twitter.com/wpt79fGmvK
— Micky S (@lcfcfox1884) April 20, 2019
2-2!! One touch football from #LCFC, Harvey Barnes played in brilliantly by Tielemans, superb finish into the far corner one on one, Leicester deserve something from the game pic.twitter.com/XFXQFaeMyT
— Sam Tonks (@samjtonks7) April 20, 2019
8 games 8 goals under Brendan. Time again for this goon #lcfc pic.twitter.com/EylFvnQ36S
— Scott (@FlipFlopFoxes) April 20, 2019
Jamie Vardy now has 9 goals in his last 10 Premier League games. #LCFC pic.twitter.com/pO7S5KSuBQ
— Three Lions Reveal (@ThreeLionsRVL) April 20, 2019
FT. #WHUFC 2-2 #LCFC. It’s a game of catch up today. We certainly didn’t look anywhere near good enough either, so it’s a lucky point in my opinion.
Additions are needed to this squad, we don’t have options on the bench to change a match. Nonetheless, character shown! pic.twitter.com/PdwNFiY6jp
— Leicester City FC (@FIRST4LCFC) April 20, 2019
7 – Since Brendan Rodgers’ first game in charge on March 3rd, Jamie Vardy has scored seven Premier League goals – more than any other player in that time. Revitalised. #WHULEI
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2019
1-1/ A superb poachers finish at the near post by Jamie Vardy, good cross from Chilwell, deserved for second-half pressure, might waken West Ham up, lively game now #WHULEI pic.twitter.com/kYrqv0yoHx— Sam Tonks (@samjtonks7) April 20, 2019
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