Leicester boss Dean Smith disappointed to be held by Leeds
Leicester boss Dean Smith disappointed to be held by Leeds in relegation six-pointer… but Jamie Vardy insists it’s a ‘massive’ point gained with ‘five cup finals left’ to avoid the drop
- Sinisterra gave Leeds a 1-0 lead after a towering header at the back post
- Vardy came off the bench to rescue a draw with his first goal in six months
- The Foxes had two goals by Tielemans and Vardy ruled out on Tuesday night
Javi Gracia and Dean Smith were both left dissatisfied after the relegation six-pointer between Leeds United and Leicester City ended with honours even.
The 1-1 draw really helped neither amid a ferocious relegation scrap at the bottom of the Premier League. Leeds sit 16th, two points above the bottom three, with Leicester a point and a place beneath them.
Luis Sinisterra headed Leeds into a first-half lead but Jamie Vardy came off the bench to equalise with 11 minutes remaining for his 135th Premier League goal and his first in the competition since October last year.
Leicester saw two goals, by Youri Tielemans and Vardy after his equaliser, ruled out.
‘I feel a tad disappointed we didn’t come away with all three points,’ said Smith.
Leicester boss Dean Smith was disappointed not to claim all three points on Tuesday night
Leicester saw two goals by Youri Tielemans and Jamie Vardy ruled out against Leeds
‘It was a topsy turvy game, we started really well and it was unfortunate Youri’s goal was ruled out. They scored against the run of play, they got a cheap cross into the box and they score.
‘The game then became a bit frantic, end-to-end, and I spoke to the players at half-time about getting control back and we did that.
‘We didn’t penetrate as much as we needed to, hence the subs. We needed somebody who was going to run into space behind them.
‘It was nice to see him [Vardy] score a goal, which he hasn’t done for a while. It just shows you the quality of the striker we have got.
‘The chance he scored today, we have seen him take loads of them over time. I am really pleased for him but there was a lot of character from the players, we showed control and really good composure at times.
‘I felt we could have won it but we could also have lost it.’
On the point gained, Vardy added: ‘It could be massive. We know now that we’ve got five cup finals left.
‘It’s been a weird season for myself but I’ve got it now, so hopefully in this little run until the end of the season they can keep coming.’
Luis Sinisterra’s opener gave Leeds a 1-0 lead after a towering header at the back post
Jamie Vardy came off the bench to rescue a draw for the Foxes for his first goal in six months
Leeds boss Gracia said: ‘You have one more point but after competing in the game as we did, starting, winning and managing the game for the most part of it, it is hard to get only one point.
‘After scoring the goal, we had the clearest chance from a corner kick with Marc Roca. We have to keep going and prepare as well as possible to get the three points from the next game.
‘Before the game we knew today would be a demanding game, it was an important game between two teams who needed a good result.
‘We started well, showing the desire and commitment of the team, after starting winning we had to kill the game but it was impossible because we were playing against a very good team.’
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