Jamie Vardy’s late equaliser against Manchester United ended Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s away winning streak at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. The opening fixture of the Boxing Day Premier League fixtures, witnessed an entertaining contest between the Foxes and Manchester United as the home side came back twice to hold the Red Devils to a 2-2 draw. The draw smashed United’s hopes to go 2nd in the Premier League table.
The visitors came close to open the scoring in the second minute of the game but Rashford’s close-range header went over the bar. However, Rashford made up for his missed chance as he put United in the lead in the 23rd minute. With his goal, Rashford became the third-youngest player in the Premier League to score 50 goals. He was set up by Fernandes which he finished with finesse. 10 minutes later, Leicester equalised through Harvey Barnes who sent a long-range shot past David de Gea.
Fernandes squandered a chance just before half time as he was unable to convert a header from Luke Shaw’s free-kick. 15 minutes into the second half, Rashford once again was put through on goal and his shot produced a brilliant save from Kasper Schmeichel. Moments later, Anthony Martial’s goal was dismissed owing to an offside.
Edinson Cavani, who led United’s win against Everton in the EFL Cup, came in from the bench and set up Fernandes to score and put United in the lead in the 79th minute. However, Vardy’s shot took a deflection off Axel Tuanzebe in the 85th minute to once again spoil United’s hopes of grabbing all 3 points. The goal was later adjudged as an own goal.
Solskjaer said after the match, “Disappointed we didn’t win today because we had loads of big chances and we could’ve finished it off but they’re a dangerous side. One point is not the worst result but we’re disappointed to not get the three points against a tough side.”
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers commented, “I thought it was a good game — two attacking teams, and I thought we had lots of really good play. Our defending and counter-pressing was very good you have to do that against teams like Man United they break so fast. We go 2-1 behind and we’ve always had enthusiasm and confidence but these games you go behind against a team that’s been playing so well it really showed the mentality of the players and we deserved a point at least out of the game.”
