Leicester 0-0 Brighton: Kasper Schmeichel saves penalty as Foxes draw again
- Published
- comments
Kasper Schmeichel saved his fifth Premier League penalty
Brendan Rodgers said Kasper Schmeichel is a "world-class goalkeeper" after his penalty save proved pivotal in Leicester's drab Premier League goalless draw against Brighton.
Denmark's Schmeichel dived brilliantly low to his right to hold the effort from Neal Maupay, who had been Brighton's hero in the previous game with a late winner against Arsenal.
It was the only chance of note in a lacklustre match, not helped by an empty stadium or the scorching weather.
"Kasper has made a great save from the penalty, he's invaluable," said Leicester manager Rodgers.
"There is absolutely no doubt that he is one of the top goalkeepers in this league. Just his presence in the goal and his leadership.
"He studies penalty takers and puts in the work and he's so agile. He has been absolutely brilliant in the two games back."
The point consolidated Leicester's hold on third place in the table, nine points clear of Manchester United in fifth, while Brighton moved six points away from the relegation zone.
One to forget
There have been question marks over the entertainment factor in some top-flight games since the restart and this fixture will not live long in the memory.
Rodgers may be concerned by his side's downturn in form in the second half of the season - they have won only one of their past seven games, having at one stage been the nearest rivals to runaway league leaders Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Brighton's win against Arsenal on Saturday was their first of the year and they have plenty of work to do to maintain their top-flight status with Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool still to play, as well as a crucial fixture against bottom-of-the-table Norwich.
Leicester captain Schmeichel made one save in the entire contest but it was key as he guessed the right way to keep out Maupay's thumping penalty, awarded after James Justin bundled over Aaron Connolly in the area.
At the other end, the statistics will show Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan as having made two stops, although they were more akin to pass backs than efforts on goal.
Leicester playmaker James Maddison barely made a mark on the game - he lashed a shot over in frustration - while striker Jamie Vardy's wait for his 100th Premier League goal continues.
Schmeichel is a 'world class' keeper - Rodgers
What next?
Leicester face Chelsea in the FA Cup sixth round on Sunday at 16:00 BST, while Brighton host Manchester United in the league on Tuesday at 20:15.
Brighton still need to fight - Potter
Shot shy - the stats
Leicester have failed to score in four of their past six Premier League games (W1 D3 L2), as many as they had in their previous 26 games
Brighton have kept back-to-back away clean sheets for only the second time in the Premier League, having done so in November 2017 under Chris Hughton
This was the first Premier League game to see no shots on target recorded in the second half since Boxing Day 2018, when Brighton drew 1-1 against Arsenal
Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has saved the past two penalties he has faced in the Premier League (also v Man City), as many as he had in his previous 23 penalties faced in the competition
Brighton's starting XI against Leicester had an average age of 25 years 182 days - the youngest they have named in 107 Premier League games to date
Tariq Lamptey (Brighton and Chelsea) is the first teenager to feature in a Premier League game for two different clubs in the same season since Harry Kane in 2012-13 (Spurs and Norwich)