Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

Leicester have 'more about them' under Ruud van Nistelrooy

Leicester produced a stunning comeback to maintain new boss Ruud van Nistelrooy's unbeaten start in an enthralling draw with Brighton.

After falling two goals behind in the second half, captain Jamie Vardy halved the deficit in the 86th minute with a trademark finish for his sixth goal of the season.

The drama did not end there as substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid netted his first of the campaign in added time after a brilliant assist from Vardy to stun to Brighton, who had looked in command following goals from Tariq Lamptey and Yankuba Minteh.

Fabian Hurzeler's visitors were set to climb to fifth place when Lamptey curled a beauty into the top corner past Mads Hermansen in the 37th minute.

Brighton continued to build on their strong performance after the break and substitute Minteh's superb jinking run ended with him hammering home with his left foot in the 79th minute.

But the King Power came to life in a frantic finale.

Vardy, who now has contributed with two goals and two assists in his last three Premier League games, was the inspiration.

The 37-year-old forward was a constant nuisance to the Brighton backline, but struggled to get any meaningful opportunities until the closing stages.

Vardy pulled one back when he latched on to James Justin's deflected cross to slot across visiting keeper Bart Verbruggen.

Leicester's supporters were ecstatic as their captain and club legend rolled a pass across for De Cordova-Reid to tap home a late leveller and move them five points clear of the relegation places.

Fox in the box rescues Leicester yet again

Getty Images

Jamie Vardy has scored six Premier League goals this season

When Leicester looked down and out, who else but Vardy would come to their rescue?

Despite his advancing years, the former England striker is still flying around the attack trying to cause as much of a nuisance to opposition defences as he can.

Against Brighton, Vardy's efforts looked to be in vain until his rescue act. Not only did he show great composure for his own goal, but proved unselfish by setting up the equaliser.

After being played through on the left of the penalty area, Vardy had the chance to shoot, but his maturity and ability to see the supporting De Cordova-Reid was better placed to finish paid off.

With six Premier League goals this term - taking his career tally to 142 goals and 47 assists in 321 appearances - Vardy shows little sign of slowing down as he tries to drive the 16th-placed Foxes towards safety.

Another missed opportunity for Seagulls

It is becoming a bit of a theme for Brighton, where they dominate a match but fail to come away with three points.

On Thursday at Craven Cottage, the Seagulls dominated and Fulham punished their poor finishing to claim a 3-1 win.

The same happened at the King Power, but to a worse extent for Hurzeler's side as they were minutes away from clinching a comfortable and deserved victory - only for it to be snatched away.

The Brighton boss will be wondering how his side let it slip, and allow Leicester to complete a fine fightback.

Until his late impact, Vardy had been well marshalled throughout the match by Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk as the visitors switched to their usual four at the back.

While Brighton are seventh, they are only three points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City.

With Crystal Palace next at home on Sunday, they need to bounce back to stay in the top-four hunt.

Player of the match

J. Vardy
8.70
9 J. Vardy
8.70
30 M. Hermansen
7.38
14 B. De Cordova-Reid
7.22
10 S. Mavididi
7.15
4 C. Coady
6.96
11 B. El Khannouss
6.94
24 B. Soumaré
6.86
6 W. Ndidi
6.80
23 J. Vestergaard
6.79
22 O. Skipp
6.77
2 J. Justin
6.74
16 V. Kristiansen
6.73
20 P. Daka
6.69
35 K. McAteer
6.65
18 J. Ayew
6.27
3 W. Faes
6.25
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