We're into the second half in the north west, and once again Sale find themselves up against it.

With Worcester and Bristol meeting on Sunday, defeat for the hosts tonight may  leave them vulnerable towards the bottom.

Exeter's Thomas Waldrom has been quietly effective against his former club tonight.

For the last two seasons he's topped the Premiership try-scoring charts, but this term it's carries where he stands out - he was on 250 before the game, that total will certainly be a bit higher by now.

There's a reason why he's earned the 'Thomas the tank' nickname...

Bonus point try, and a match-winning try for Exeter?

Mitch Lees is a unit, and will not be stopped from a few yards out.

It came after the visitors won the scrum, and Henry Slade kicked for another two points on top.

Remember, this has happened while Chiefs have had Geoff Parling in the bin.

Image source, Getty Images

Exeter, still down to 14 players, have some much-needed possession to relieve the pressure.

Have they survived the crucial period in the match?

Leicester's efforts have been hit by an injury to Sam Harrison, who had been excellent since coming on 10 minutes ago - he's replaced by Peter Betham.

Just as Sale's tails are up, they give away a penalty from the restart which Stephen Myler makes with ease.

Despite Josh Charnley's first try in rugby union, Northampton are certainly in the ascendancy. 

Chiefs are hanging on a bit here.

Former Leicester man Geoff Parling, who was brilliant at the lineout in the first half, is yellow-carded for being offside at the lineout.

Despite being a man down Exeter get a scrum turnover - that is the definition of grit, determination and effort.

That's more like it from Steve Diamond's side.

Michael Haley chips through and Josh Charnley is all to happy to dot down at the end of it.

Sam James converts from the touchline.

If Tigers are going to get something from this match, this is the crucial period.

Since Maxime Mermoz has gone over, the hosts have been rampant and Exeter's Olly Woodburn feels the pressure as he knocks on.

Leicester are deep in the opposition's 22 and win several penalties before a fine crossfield kick finds Adam Thompstone, who thinks he's touched down before the deadball line.

However the TMO disagrees and we're back for a penalty.

It goes to the TMO, but nothing is going to deny Michael Paterson that try.

The home faithful seem to think it shouldn't have stood, but the officials see no issue and the points are given with less than five minutes until the break.

To add insult to injury, Stephen Myler's conversion is successful.

Steve Johnson
Ex-Leicester flanker on BBC Radio Leicester

Leicester need to get another quick one and not do what they did in the first half and just sit back.

Exeter will take their time.

Tigers find a gap in the Exeter defence, and it's France international Maxime Mermoz who exploits it.

The home side had turned to their bench for the first time, Mike Williams and Sam Harrison coming on, and both have already had an impact.

Owen Williams kicks between the posts and Leicester are back in contention.

It took 28 minutes, but we have points on the board in Manchester.

Harry Mallinder shows good skill with ball in hand to feed winger Ken Pisi, who only has to dive over to secure the try.

Stephen Myler misses the subsequent conversion.

Henry Slade, watched in the stands by Eddie Jones, does the honours to get things going again at Welford Road.

What do Tigers need to do to turn this around? Surely they can't allow Exeter to win by this margin on home turf.

I'm afraid to say this has the look of game between two sides who are slightly low on confidence.

We've passed the midway point of the first half and... there hasn't been a whole lot to report.

Mike Phillips has had to come off for Sale after taking a knock on the head, and is replaced at scrum-half by Peter Stringer.