Two heartbreaking added-time goals cost Leicester City a comeback point at Arsenal in a dramatic Premier League affair.
A special James Justin volley and an inspired Mads Hermansen performance looked like earning Steve Cooper his best result of the season so far as City came from two goals down to level. But Arsenal bundled in a corner in the 94th minute as their pressure told, with an even later fourth goal wrapping the game up.
Two changes were made for the game. One was expected, with Oliver Skipp coming in for Bilal El Khannouss to form a more defensive midfield, but the other was a surprise. Facundo Buonanotte was selected over Jordan Ayew on the right wing, albeit Cooper suggested it was an enforced change, with the Ghanaian picking up a “bad knock” in midweek and only available for the bench.
City’s gameplan was of deep defending and counter-attacks and there was a good early sign when Wilfred Ndidi won the ball back and Jamie Vardy found Justin advancing into space on the right, the full-back’s shot blocked by Riccardo Calafiori. That proved to be City’s only effort, and only touch inside the Arsenal box, in the whole of the first half.
But within 90 seconds of the restart, City had one back. Vardy won the free-kick, Buonanotte crossed, and Justin, with just City’s second touch in the Arsenal box, flicked a header goalwards, a deflection off Havertz taking it past David Raya.
Arsenal, unperturbed, pushed to restore their two-goal lead. Hermansen needed sharp reflexes to keep out Gabriel Magalhaes’ header, with the Dane then thanking his post for denying Trossard.
But City weathered the storm and then had their own five-minute spell of pressure. It ended in success. Buonanotte twice went close, once after a solo run, and then from Mavididi’s pass, with City getting joy down their left.
It was from there that Ndidi lifted a deep cross to the back post where Justin ran in and connected, scoring one of the goals of the season so far. He cut across the ball on the volley, his effort flying past Raya, kissing the post and finding the net.
City settled back into defensive mode, aiming to see the final half-hour. To do so, they needed an incredible display from their goalkeeper.
As Arsenal piled the pressure on, Hermansen produced an outstanding stop to keep out a point-blank Havertz effort, stuck an arm up to deny Trossard, leapt to parry away Ethan Nwaneri’s curler, then tipped over Calafiori’s header. It was enough to earn City a point.
But in the 94th minute, City’s resistance was broken. Trossard wasn’t picked up at a corner, the Belgian volleying at the back post, with the ball deflecting in off Ndidi. As City pushed for late leveller, Havertz bundled in a breakaway fourth goal to seal the three points for the hosts. Here’s how we scored the players.
Mads Hermansen: An inspired display and one that very nearly won City a point. In the second half, he produced at least five excellent saves, including one superb reflex stop to deny Havertz with the game at 2-2, to leave the crowd in disbelief. 9
James Justin: A brace for a right-back is rare, and a stunning volley may be even rarer. Justin could win goal of the month with his brilliant second. But he’s also in the team to defend, and while he stood up Martinelli well in certain moments, he gave him too much space for the two first-half goals. 7
Wout Faes: While Okoli did the stand-out pieces of defending, Faes did his job competently, positioning himself well to clear crosses. Importantly, there were no lapses in concentration to put City in trouble. 7
Caleb Okoli: Another great showing from the Italian, who looks to be growing in confidence too. He showed good strength when stepping across to close down Saka, while he defended the box superbly, heading away under pressure. His passing still needs a bit of work. 8
Victor Kristiansen: One of his best defensive displays in a City shirt. He had a lot to do but stood up well to most of it, meaning Saka was maybe a little quieter than he’d have been expected to be. 7
Harry Winks: He passed well in tight areas at times and was involved when City counter-attacked, playing the right ball, but really, he didn’t get involved enough. Lost Trossard for the second goal too. 5
Oliver Skipp: The game completely passed him by, the former Tottenham man rarely getting on the ball. He was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch too, committing a number of dangerous fouls. 4
Facundo Buonanotte: He was anonymous in the first half, but livened up in the second to great effect. He delivered the cross for Justin’s first and then carried the ball with threat to put Arsenal on the back foot, an important contribution in giving City the confidence to get the equaliser. 6
Wilfred Ndidi: He was everywhere. He mopped up in his own box thanks to his awareness and good positioning, while he was City’s calmest player on the ball too, not panicking in possession. Then he grabbed himself another assist with a great ball for Justin’s volley. Excellent. 8
Stephy Mavididi: He didn’t track Timber for the Martinelli for the first goal and grew frustrated that he couldn’t get by him either. He improved slightly in the second half, but he will have hoped for a better performance on his return to his boyhood club. 4
Jamie Vardy: Bar a pass to Justin, he wasn’t involved in the first half, and was bullied off the ball by Saliba. But he escaped him often enough in the second period to do a better job at holding the ball up, including winning a free-kick for the first Justin goal. 5
Jordan Ayew: Had one chance to attack, but miscontrolled his touch. Didn’t help keep the ball up the pitch, as would have been his instruction. 4
Bilal El Khannouss: Only on the pitch for a few minutes. Maybe asked too much of team-mates with his passes. N/A
Bobby De Cordova-Reid: Barely touched the ball in his few minutes on the pitch. N/A
Abdul Fatawu: He was given very little time to make an impact, which will frustrate supporters, many of whom are keen to see him start. N/A
Odsonne Edouard: He’ll need more than a couple of minutes to get his first goal for the club. N/A
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