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With just over 48 hours of rest between the Foxes’ 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Saturday and the trip to Selhurst Park, Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers made seven changes with Jamie Vardy and Youri Tielemans including they stayed in the bank.
Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes scores the draw against Crystal Palce in their English Premier League match on December 28, 2020. Image: @ LCFC / Twitter
LONDON – A much-changed Leicester rose to second place in the Premier League thanks to Harvey Barnes’ late draw in a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Monday.
Wilfried Zaha’s impressive volley near the post put the Eagles in front against the running of the game after Kelechi Iheanacho had a penalty saved in the first half for Leicester.
With just over 48 hours of rest between the Foxes’ 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Saturday and the trip to Selhurst Park, Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers made seven changes with Jamie Vardy and Youri Tielemans including they stayed in the bank.
Both were introduced midway through the second half and Leicester’s pressure was rewarded with a draw when Barnes fired a low shot from the edge of the area for his eighth goal of the season.
Despite the turmoil of losing many of their star names, Leicester were still the best team and will regret not taking a chance before the break as they missed closing the gap with Liverpool at the top of the table just one point away. .
Iheanacho got off to an unusual start with Vardy, 33, rested, but the Nigerian did little to promote his defense for more playing time.
James Tomkins dropped Foxes defender Luke Thomas inside the box in the 19th minute and with Vardy and Tielemans off the court, Iheanacho took responsibility from the point.
However, the former Manchester City striker is still without a goal in the Premier League this season as he failed to beat Vicente Guaita, who made a good save to his left.
Dennis Praet also threw a glorious opportunity after a deflected cross from Ayoze Perez returned from the crossbar.
Palace had conceded 10 unanswered goals in their last two games against Liverpool and Aston Villa.
But Roy Hodgson’s men started the second half with much better intention and were rewarded in the 58th minute when Zaha overtook them.
An Andros Townsend cross to the back post caught the Ivorian, who connected sweetly on the volley to beat Kasper Schmeichel at his near post.
Vardy was summoned from the bench to find the Foxes a route back to the game, but instead it was Barnes in shape who scored an excellent draw as he fought off a series of challenges from the Palace before shooting into the bottom corner.
Leicester could have won the game in the final stages when Perez seized a good opportunity from the edge of the area.
But one point at least ensures that they will finish the year in the top four.
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