Leicester City 2-2 Brentford: Battling Bees come from 2-0 behind to earn point
- Published
- comments
Leicester City finished eighth in the Premier League table last season, five places above Brentford
Brentford produced a terrific fightback from 2-0 behind to secure a point against Leicester in a thrilling match at the King Power Stadium.
A header by Belgium defender Timothy Castagne opened the scoring for the Foxes, the only Premier League club not to have signed a player in the summer transfer window so far.
Leicester were the dominant side in the first half with Youri Tielemans hitting the post before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall doubled the lead 25 seconds into the second half.
Brentford hit back when Ivan Toney scored from close range after a move that started when Leicester lost possession from a throw-in.
Toney wasted a great chance to equalise when he headed wide after Leicester's Wesley Fofana nodded against the post at the other end.
But Brentford were not done as Josh Dasilva, one of five substitutes used by Thomas Frank, struck an 86th-minute equaliser after cutting inside on to his left foot, starting the Bees' second successive season in the top flight with a point.
Leicester City 2 - 2 Brentford - Brendan Rodgers reacts as Bees snatch draw
Leicester let two points slip
There is so much talent running through this Leicester team but there have been suggestions that momentum could be waning after a dormant summer in the transfer market so far.
The Foxes have not spent a penny but have lost a legend after Kasper Schmeichel - their Premier League and FA Cup winning keeper - joined Nice, while Newcastle target James Maddison and Chelsea target Fofana are wanted elsewhere.
The way Leicester gave up a 2-0 lead will only increase calls for Brendan Rodgers, who has been linked with a loan move for Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, to strengthen his squad before the 1 September deadline.
"Obviously you want to strengthen the squad and add depth and quality," Rodgers told BBC Sport afterwards.
"But on the other side of that you can still have cohesion within your performance and I think you saw that for large parts of the game."
Leicester looked certain to make a winning start after Dewsbury-Hall's super finish added to Castagne's opening goal.
They started with a real flourish but by the end they were fortunate not to lose as Brentford came back strongly in the second half.
The concern for Rodgers is that this was a real opportunity to make a solid start.
But it will feel like two points dropped, with matches to follow against Arsenal (away), Chelsea (away) and Manchester United (home) between now and 1 September.
Thomas Frank
Bees show fighting spirit
Brentford finished last season - their first in England's top flight since 1946-47 - in 13th spot, aided largely by the signing of Christian Eriksen.
His departure has left a large void but Brentford are clearly not lacking confidence or belief judging by this performance.
They started last season with a statement win over Arsenal and the way they came back to secure a point against an experienced Leicester side will give them a lift going into the rest of the campaign.
Since the start of last season, only Liverpool (21) and Tottenham (17) have picked up more points from losing positions in the Premier League than Brentford (16)
There were contrasting fortunes for two of Brentford's debutants in the starting line-up.
While Ben Mee was at fault for the second goal and replaced in the 59th minute, 20-year-old Aaron Hickey - a £17m signing from Bologna - produced a performance to suggest he could be another shrewd signing for the Bees.
Frank celebrated with Dasilva, who has endured a series of injury problems, on the pitch in front of the travelling fans after the final whistle.
"I am very emotional about it [Dasilva scoring]," said Frank. "I have been working with him for four years. He is a fantastic person and he produced a moment we know he can produce."
Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before - here's everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
