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Jamie Vardy’s deviant effort forced a late Leicester City draw against Man United to ensure they remain second in the Premier League.
The forward thought he was leaving the field with a 2-2 draw in the 85th minute in the 2-2 draw after Bruno Fernandes’ goal appeared to have won for the visitors, but the deflection by United defender Axel was quickly seen as Tuanzebe was the fundamental touch.
A great game at King Power Stadium ends in a draw 🤝
Full time sponsored by @ParimatchUK ⏱️
– Leicester City (@LCFC) December 26, 2020
Marcus Rashford’s first game, his 50th in the Premier League, had previously been canceled by Harvey Barnes.
United missed a chance to overtake the Foxes, who drew in the league for the first time this season, and remain within one point of their hosts.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team extended their unbeaten streak in the top flight to eight games, but a draw is no help in their quest to chase leaders Liverpool, who are three points ahead of Leicester.
Both teams can now be reviewed by Chelsea and Everton if they win their games later on Boxing Day.
United’s 2-0 victory at the King Power Stadium in the final game of last season ended the Foxes’ hopes in the Champions League.
They dropped out in the top four that day, when United took last place, but there has been no hangover for Brendan Rodgers’ team as they hold a title challenge.
However, their form at home, losing four, had been their Achilles heel this season and they were almost punished after 71 seconds when Rashford missed a golden opportunity.
The backlog of patients ended with Fernandes crossing for Rashford, but he posted an unmarked header from six yards.
It was a terrible mistake and United almost paid the price a minute later when Vardy knocked down Marc Albrighton’s cross.
An entertaining opening continued and visitors survived a disappointment when David De Gea and Harry Maguire made a mess before Eric Bailly cut off downtown Albrighton.
Gradually, Leicester seemed to calm down and began to control the ball only for Rashford to repair his horror mistake after 23 minutes.
After an intricate play down the left, Fernandes pushed Daniel James’ ball forward so Rashford, who had slipped off James Justin’s back, coldly found the bottom corner.
However, the lead lasted just eight minutes when a rare Fernandes error allowed Wilfred Ndidi to steal it and James Maddison found Barnes to shoot from 20 yards.
There was little to separate the sides during a lively first half, although Fernandes watched Luke Shaw’s free kick and United started the second with their front foot.
Wesley Fofana had to be on the alert to stop James’ break and a superb save from Kasper Schmeichel denied Rashford a second after Fred released him on the hour.
Anthony Martial also had a correctly ruled offside goal as United’s intensity grew and the Foxes struggled to break through.
Maguire headed against his former club but the visitors found the goal they had threatened with 11 minutes remaining.
Edinson Cavani had made a positive impact since he replaced Martial and his career ended when he played with Fernandes to finish under Schmeichel.
But the Foxes responded again with five minutes to go when Vardy swept a cross from Ayoze Perez, through the Tuanzebe detour, to earn a point.
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