Leicester City 2-2 Middlesbrough
- Published
Islam Slimani's penalty took his tally to five goals since he joined Leicester from Sporting Lisbon
Islam Slimani's injury-time penalty rescued a point for Leicester as they came from behind twice against Middlesbrough.
Alvaro Negredo ended a goal drought which stretched back to the opening day of the season when he put Boro ahead following a neat exchange of passes with Gaston Ramirez.
Riyad Mahrez equalised from the penalty spot after Calum Chambers was judged to have handled.
Negredo looked to have given Boro the points when he latched on to a long ball from Adam Forshaw and clinically dispatched a low shot past Foxes goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler.
But Slimani converted from the spot in the fourth minute of injury-time after Wes Morgan was fouled by Marten de Roon.
Leicester's never-say-die spirit
There were murmurs of discontent from the home fans at the King Power Stadium, but Leicester's players rolled up their sleeves and fought right to the final whistle.
For large parts of the game, the Foxes lacked any kind of zip or purpose about their play. Crucially, though, they kept going and salvaged a valuable point.
It came on the back of Tuesday's 2-1 win over Club Brugge, which secured their passage to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a game to spare.
Importantly, it ensured Leicester did not slip to a third successive Premier League defeat.
"We showed fantastic character," said Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri. "Lucky is someone who believes in something more."
Foxes showed great character - Ranieri
Negredo ends goalscoring drought
Negredo, who is on a season-long loan from Valencia, found the net for the first time since Boro's 1-1 draw against Stoke City on 13 August.
It was not just the powerful Spaniard's finishing that caught the eye at the King Power Stadium either.
Negredo held the ball up, linked up the play and was generally a handful for the Leicester defence.
He scored 23 goals in 48 appearances for Manchester City en route to helping them win the Premier League title in 2013-14. This display was reminiscent of those days.
Given his side's overall lack of goals this season, Boro boss Aitor Karanka will hope it represents the start of a hot streak for Negredo.
Vardy draws a blank again
A tally of no shots - and no touches - inside the Middlesbrough area tells its own tale of Jamie Vardy's difficult afternoon as his search for a goal goes on.
While Negredo was back among the goals, Jamie Vardy's struggles to find the net continue.
Vardy has not scored for the champions since 10 September - a run of 15 games. His form is in stark contrast to a year ago, when he scored for a record 11th Premier League game in a row.
Without Danny Drinkwater, suspended for three matches for elbowing Watford's Valon Behrami, Leicester tried too many high balls, which did not utilise Vardy's strengths.
But irrespective of that, Vardy's performance was subdued, as was his body language.
He could have few complaints when substituted with 25 minutes left.
Man of the match - Alvaro Negredo (Middlesbrough)
Alvaro Negredo's two goals capped a fine individual display. His finishing was clinical and the Boro striker did not look like a man who had not scored in his last 10 starts before this game.
Thou shalt not pass
Riyad Mahrez has found Jamie Vardy with only one pass in the last eight Premier League matches that they have played together and has only created one goalscoring chance for the England forward all season in the competition.
Leicester's return of 13 points is the second-worst record after 13 games of any defending champion in top-flight history since it became three points for a win in 1981.
Middlesbrough conceded two penalties after a run of 48 league games without one.
Leicester City (417) have already been trailing for more minutes in the Premier League this season than in the entire 2015-16 campaign (391).
Mahrez has two goals and one assist in his last three appearances following nine Premier League games without any of either.
Alvaro Negredo has been directly involved in six Premier League goals this season (three goals, three assists); more than any other Middlesbrough player.
Negredo's first strike against Leicester ended a run of 977 minutes without a Premier League goal for Middlesbrough.
Since the start of last season, Leicester have taken (18) and scored (14) more penalties than any other Premier League team.
Leicester City 2-2 Middlesbrough: Leicester draw feels like defeat - Karanka
What they said:
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri: "We are fighting for a relegation battle. Now we could be tired but fortunately the character and spirit of the group is good. We knew it was a tough match. Twice fighting back is not easy.
"It was difficult to surprise Middlesbrough, who showed good football to score twice. It's a good performance in the end, I think the draw for us is very good.
"It was important not have to have three Premier League defeats. I feel we have to fight until the end of season."
Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka: "We showed we are a good team and are playing well. We should have won the game and were better than them.
"It's unfair to draw this game. Our performances with and without the ball have been good. Against top teams, we have been really organised.
"I know how good Alvaro Negredo is, and knew the goals would arrive. He did that because the team worked hard. We all have to keep working now."
What's next?
Leicester are in action again on Saturday, 3 December (15:00 GMT) when they travel to face Sunderland. Middlesbrough host Hull City two days later on Monday, 5 December (20:00).