Daniel Amartey snatches a point for Leicester City

daniel-amarteyChampions Leicester City recovered from Jamie Vardy’s red card and a two-goal deficit to claim an incredible draw at Stoke City.

Vardy was contentiously dismissed by referee Craig Pawson for a two-footed tackle on Mame Diouf.

Stoke took advantage to score twice before half-time, with Bojan Krkic converting a penalty after Danny Simpson’s handball, and Joe Allen tapping in.

But the Foxes mounted a remarkable comeback in the final 15 minutes, with substitute Leonardo Ulloa and Daniel Amartey heading home to snatch a point.

It leaves Leicester three points above the relegation zone in 15th, while Stoke are 11th.

A draw never looked likely from the moment Vardy was sent off in the 28th minute.

The England striker went in two-footed and off the ground on Diouf, but won the ball.

Pawson deemed it reckless, though, and showed Vardy his second red card of 2016.

Leicester fell apart immediately, as Simpson gave away the penalty by putting his hand in the air while sliding to block a cross, and Allen tapped in after Giannelli Imbula’s shot came back off the post and hit the hapless Kasper Schmeichel on the back of the head.

The Foxes’ discipline vanished – boss Claudio Ranieri had to be held back by his goalkeeper from remonstrating with Pawson at the break, and six of his players were booked in a 10-minute spell either side of half-time.

But the finale was incredible, with substitutes Demarai Gray and Ulloa combining with their first touches of the match to make it 2-1 – Gray crossing for Ulloa to head home a goal given by goalline technology despite Ryan Shawcross’ effort to clear.

Stoke were pinned into their own half in the closing moments, and Christian Fuchs crossed from the right for Amartey to head in the equaliser.

 

Source: BBC