Sports

Mahrez rescues point for Leicester in 1-1 draw with West Brom

October 17, 2017
Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez, second left, scores his side's first goal of the game against West Bromwich Albion during the English Premier League soccer match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester, England, Monday. — AP
Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez, second left, scores his side's first goal of the game against West Bromwich Albion during the English Premier League soccer match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester, England, Monday. — AP

LONDON — Riyad Mahrez rescued a point for Leicester City who came from behind to draw 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Monday, as both teams' search for a first league win in almost two months continued.

The Algerian canceled out Nacer Chadli's stunning free kick with his first league goal of the season to make sure the points were shared at the King Power Stadium.

Each side's last Premier League win came in August and so both were looking to kick start their season after the international break.

The first half passed by largely without incident, with only Danny Simpson drawing a good save from West Brom's Boaz Myhill, who was featuring in his first league game since April 2016.

The second period started more energetically, with Jamie Vardy being awarded a foul after colliding at full speed just outside the area with the onrushing Myhill.

It was the visitors who broke the deadlock, however, with Belgian Chadli, in his first league start of the season, curling in a stunning free kick 25 meters out shortly after the hour mark.

The hosts rallied and were rewarded for their efforts as the clock ticked down. Mahrez, who was guilty of missing a sitter earlier in the second half, showed exquisite control to grab the equalizer with 10 minutes remaining.

The Algerian received a headed ball from compatriot Islam Slimani and controlled it with his chest before hitting it on the half-volley.

Leicester could not find another breakthrough and Tony Pulis's men held on for a draw, which meant that the 2016 champions remained in 18th place, with six points from eight games. West Brom moved up one position to 10th.

"We're disappointed," Pulis told Sky Sports. "It's a very, very tough league. Every team you play, if you take the top six out of it, from them downwards there's not a lot between them."

Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion are facing a potential goalkeeping crisis after back-up Myhill injured his leg in the 1-1 Premier League draw with Leicester City on Monday.

Myhill got his first league start since the 2015-16 season after first choice Ben Foster was ruled out of the game at the King Power Stadium by a knee injury sustained while playing with his son.

With Foster having missed 10 months because of a cruciate ligament injury in 2015, West Brom manager Pulis took a cautious approach to his team selection.

"There was no way in a million years we were going to take the risk with him tonight," Pulis said. "He was playing with his son in the back garden and he just tweaked his knee and because he's had the cruciate we are a little bit concerned."

Myhill collided with Leicester striker Jamie Vardy in the second half of the match and the 34-year-old admitted it had been struggle to get through the rest of the game. "We only have two experienced goalkeepers so we are a little bit short," Pulis said.

West Brom's other goalkeeping option is 21-year-old Alex Palmer, who has not made an appearance for the club yet. West Brom, who are 10th in the league with 10 points, face tricky away games at Southampton and league leaders Manchester City this month. – Reuters


October 17, 2017
HIGHLIGHTS
Sports
5 days ago

Neom FC clinches First Division spot with a thrilling victory over Al Zulfi

Sports
5 days ago

Hiba Al Owaidi becomes first female main referee in Saudi Women's League

Sports
6 days ago

Salem Al Dawsari's goal secures Saudi victory over Tajikistan in World Cup qualifiers