Foxes Denied All Three Points By Stoke
Claude Puel made just two changes to the side that beat Sheffield United in the Emirates FA Cup last time out, as Marc Albrighton and Matty James returned to the starting XI.
Starting brightly, Riyad Mahrez had City’s first attempt as he curled just wide of the post inside the opening four minutes.
The Foxes had plenty of possession in the first period but they could not make their advantage count and when Xherdan Shaqiri found space on the edge of the box, he made no mistakes.
The Switzerland international advanced towards goal before curling into the bottom corner of the net past Kasper Schmeichel on 43 minutes.
City came out fighting after the break and it was Albrighton who first had a shot turned away by Bruno Martins Indi.
Stoke had the chance to double their advantage shortly after, but thankfully, Shaqiri fired wide after Schmeichel’s pass was intercepted.
Wilfred Ndidi then hammered a long-range drive over, but Puel’s men were level just moments later as Albrighton saw his delivery bundled over the line by Butland.
The Foxes pushed for a winner in the closing stages and when Mahrez sent an effort towards goal, only a stunning save from Butland denied the attacker, before Harry Maguire hit the post with a follow-up strike.
A goalmouth scramble followed with just a minute to play as James struck the upright before Maguire attempted to turn home the loose ball.
But City could not find an all-important winner as Stoke stood firm in the closing stages at King Power Stadium.
Major moment
Already level after Jack Butland’s own goal, the Foxes looked like they would score a second through Riyad Mahrez.
But Butland made amends by getting down well to to pull off a sensational stop – hailed ‘one of the saves of the season’ by LCFC Radio summariser Gerry Taggart.
Who impressed?
While Marc Albrighton was earlier thwarted following a good block from Bruno Martins Indi, the No.11’s hard work eventually paid dividends with 20 minutes to play.
He surged down the right wing and sent a fine delivery into the front post that proved to be too powerful for Butland to deal with.
Where do we stand?
For now, the Foxes leapfrog Burnley and occupy seventh in the table following their 28th Premier League fixture of the campaign.
Coming up
Leicester City will play their second-straight Premier League game on home soil as AFC Bournemouth visit Filbert Way on Saturday 3 March (3pm kick-off).