City's Under-21s Earn Solid Point Against Man City
Both sides created chances to win it, but the Premier League 2 Division 1 encounter ended goalless as City's youngsters earned their first point of 2023.
The Foxes welcomed back Sammy Braybrooke after first team involvement and he captained the side, while Bayli Spencer-Adams was in the starting XI for the first time in almost a year, following injury. Deniche Hill also came into the team, making his second PL2 start. Ben Nelson (loan), Ethan Fitzhugh and Shane Flynn (both injured) dropped out.
It was a fast start from the visitors, with Kian Breckin's cross palmed away by Chituru Odunze inside the opening minute of the game, and the American shot-stopper needed to be alert to divert a shot from Alex Robertson, who picked up the rebound.
The home side came back into the contest, with a strong run from Wanya Marcal-Madivadua opening up the Citizens' defence, but Mikki Van Sas remained untested in the opening quarter of an hour.
He was called into action courtesy of a stunning strike from just outside the area from Braybrooke, which required a fingertip save to tip the swirling ball onto the crossbar.
The majority of the first-half was played in the middle of the park, though Lakyle Samuel came close when he sent an effort narrowly wide of the far post.
After a strong first-half showing, Petty opted to make a change at the break, bringing Harvey Godsmark-Ford into the action, in place of Marcal-Madivadua, who only recently returned from injury.
That led to a change in system, with the defender slotting into the backline and Brandon Cover briefly moving into a false-nine position.
The away side were very much on the front foot in the second period and when Adedire Mebude crossed for Robertson, Odunze was on hand to save with his legs.
Paul Appiah then managed to clear captain Shea Charles' low attempt, blocking its route to goal, while there was soon some incredible work from Joe Wormleighton to make a last-ditch sliding challenge on Carlos Borges, with the Man City attacker bearing down on goal. The full-back was there again to defend Borges' dangerous centre minutes later.
Leicester's hard work could not be undone from a set play either, as Robertson's curling free-kick from the edge of the box was saved by Odunze. It looked to be heading inside the left-hand corner until a strong touch diverted the ball away, helping the hosts to claim a point.
Major moment – A team display
It's difficult to pick out one moment from a fine team performance, with Leicester putting bodies on the line to earn a draw and a maiden point this year.
Who impressed? – Wormleighton's work
On LCFC TV's live coverage, co-commentator Gerry Taggart said: "There's only one man I can give Man of the Match to and that's the player who has saved two definite goals with two challenges - Joe Wormleighton."
Where do we stand? – 13th in PL2
Leicester remain 13th in the division following the draw, with 10 points from 14 matches.
Coming up – Celtic (H)
City's youngsters turn attention to the Premier League International Cup next week, hosting Celtic at LCFC Training Ground on Wednesday (7pm GMT kick-off).
The details...
City: Odunze; Wormleighton, Appiah, Spencer-Adams, Hill (Lindsay 77'); Braybrooke (Briggs 86'), Cover, Leshabela; K. Pennant, Maswanhise (T. Pennant 74'), Marcal-Madivadua (Godsmark-Ford 45').
Sub not used: Doherty.