By Dan Ableson
Leicester City failed to go five-points clear at the top of the Barclay’s Premier League after drawing 1-1 against West Bromwich Albion at the King Power Stadium.
The home side came from one goal down to take the lead before half time but Craig Gardner’s free kick after the break sealed the point for the visitors in an entertaining clash.
The Foxes made two changes from the weekend as Danny Simpson and Andy King came in for Daniel Amartey and N’Golo Kante.
City will now turn their attention to Watford on Saturday evening whilst the Baggies host Manchester United.
The Foxes, who were coming off the back of a last minute victory against Norwich at the weekend began the game full of confidence with both Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez making early inroads in the West Bromwich defence who conceded two goals in their 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
But it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 11th minute when the tough tackling Darren Fletcher turned provider with a delicate through ball that found Rondon who calmly slotted it underneath the onrushing Kasper Schmeichel.
The home side continued to create chances with top scorer Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton coming close.
And it didn’t take long for City to score a much deserved equaliser in the 30th minute when Danny Drinkwater picked up the ball 20-yards from goal and unleashed a low effort that took a wicked deflection past Ben Foster.
The visitors were struggling to contain the league leaders who nearly made it two in the 36th minute when Drinkwater’s precise cross met Vardy whose header cannoned back off the crossbar.
City’s relentless pressure paid off just before half time when Albrighton accurate cross field ball found Riyad Mahrez at the edge of the box who neatly cushioned it down into the path of King who calmly side footed the ball in to the back of the net leaving the keeper rooted to the spot.
Tony Pulis’ men struck back immediately after halftime when Craig Gardener’s sublime free kick sailed past Schmeichel’s right hand side making it 2-2.
However, Leicester were once again showing their resilience and when Okazaki rose highest to meet the ball it was only the bar that stood in their way for the second time in the game.
West Brom, who scored three at the weekend, nearly did the same again but Rondon squandered a golden chance to double his tally in the 65th blazing the ball over the bar from just 5 yards out.
Much like the first half Leicester began to control the game in look for the breakthrough passing up a host of half chances, none more so than Mahrez’s stoppage time bicycle kick.
But, they failed to break down the visitors defence for the third time, in a game that could play a significant role in this season’s title race.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
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