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Leicester logo
Premier League
Oct 4, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Burnley logo

2-2

Schlupp (33'), Mahrez (40')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Kightly (39'), Wallace (96')

Live Commentary: Leicester City 2-2 Burnley - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of the entertaining 2-2 draw between Leicester City and Burnley from the King Power Stadium.
2

Burnley climbed off the foot of the Premier League table courtesy of a dramatic 2-2 draw against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium this afternoon.

Jeffrey Schlupp's goal on 33 minutes sparked the beginning of a goal frenzy, with Michael Kightly soon levelling up the game, before Riyad Mahrez regained his side's lead before the break.

The foxes looked to be heading towards all three points, until substitute Ross Wallace found the top corner of the net from a late free kick to salvage a point for Burnley.

Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of the entertaining contest from the East Midlands below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Premier League meeting between Leicester City and Burnley. These two sides were promoted automatically from the Championship last season, although they have made contrasting starts this time around.

Today's visitors to the King Power Stadium are still without a win at the bottom of the table, while the Foxes are more than holding their own so far, although they will be looking to bounce back following a disappointing defeat last time out.

There's plenty to get through before kickoff at 3pm, so let's take a look at how the two teams line up this afternoon...

TEAM NEWS!

LEICESTER CITY STARTING XI: Schmeichel, De Laet, Konchesky, Drinkwater, Morgan, Hammond, Vardy, Schlupp, Moore, Ulloa, Mahrez

BURNLEY STARTING XI: Heaton, Trippier, Shackell, Duff, Mee, Kightly, Arfield, Boyd, Ward, Barnes, Jutkiewicz


Ritchie De Laet has shaken off a knock to start this afternoon's match for the hosts, although Esteban Cambiasso misses out. Matthew Upson stepped up his recovery this week yet this game comes far too soon for him to make his comeback, with Wes Morgan and Liam Moore in the heart of defence.

Nathaniel Chalobah picked up a nasty-looking injury in midweek for Burnley's second-string side, and he has not made the visitors' squad for this one. Marvin Sordell looked lively when introduced against West Bromwich Albion last week, meanwhile, although he has to make do with a place among the substitutes. Long-term injury victim Sam Vokes is still a couple of months away from a return to full fitness, while Danny Ings is also absent which means that Ashley Barnes and Lukas Jutkiewicz lead the line for Sean Dyche's side.

BENCH WATCH!

LEICESTER CITY SUBS: Hamer, James, King, Knockaert, Wasilewski, Nugent, Wood

BURNLEY SUBS: Gilks, Lafferty, Keane, Sordell, Wallace, Long, Hewitt


David Nugent and Chris Wood provide attacking options from the bench should Nigel Pearson need them, while opposite number Dyche has opted to leave Sordell on the bench as the club's goalless run since the opening weekend of the season continues.

Today's match at the King Power Stadium is officially a sell out...



Well Leicester come into this game on the back of a hugely disappointing 2-0 defeat against Crystal Palace, in a game which brought the club back down to earth following their otherwise faultless start to life back in the Premier League. The pick of the bunch came in the club's last home game, a memorable 5-3 victory over Manchester United, which made other sides in the division sit up and take notice.

The Foxes were dealt a difficult opening to their season following promotion from the Championship last time out, although draws with Everton and Arsenal at the King Power set the tone, while they even took the lead against a rampant Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge. In all Leicester have taken five points from their three home games, with this the most important of the lot.

Although that 2-0 reverse at Palace quickly made supporters realise that this will not be a walk in the park, and if their target of survival is to be achieved, then six-points such as today's encounter simply must be won. Four points currently separates the East Midland outfit and the drop zone, although defeat here and that gap will close right in.

Burnley on the other hand come into this game in desperate need of the points to lift them off the bottom of the table, following a largely disappointing start to the season. In truth, the Clarets more than held their own in games against Swansea City, Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Manchester United, the latter three of which all of which finished goalless.

The biggest problem for Sean Dyche's men has been their inability to find the back of the net, with Scott Arfield's early goal against Chelsea in the club's first game back at this level still the only goal they have bagged to date. In fact, Burnley have now gone 47 days without scoring, an incredible run which must simply come to an end soon if they are to avoid being cut off at the bottom.

The Lancashire club have not been helped by injury blows to top-scorers Ings and Vokes, who struck up a partnership to rival - and arguably better - any other in the country last season. The Welshman will remain out of action for the foreseeable future, with a return before the end of the year likely, while Ings could be back as soon as next weekend.

Barnes and Jutkiewicz are the men tasked with scoring the goals, although having scored with just two per cent of their shots this season - the lowest tally in the league - Burnley really need to step it up this afternoon.

Can the hosts return to winning ways today?


Of course, on the flip side, Burnley had not conceded many goals before the thrashing at The Hawthorns last weekend. Three-consecutive clean sheets ensured that the Clarets were among the division's big boys in that department, although of course that is only one part of the equation to staying up.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS: There is no question that these two sides were the best in the second tier last season, with Leicester eventually finishing nine-points ahead of their second-place opponents. In their two meetings last season, Pearson's side took four points, winning 2-0 at Turf Moor and securing a 1-1 draw at the King Power last December.

Incidentally, the two goalscorers in that 2-0 win for Leicester last season, Nugent and Wood, both start on the bench today. The recent form of Leonardo Ulloa in particular makes that decision from Pearson understandable.

DID YOU KNOW? Burnley have used more English players than any other side this season in the Premier League (12), while Leicester are close behind having used one less.

Well kickoff at the King Power Stadium is now less than 15 minutes away, but there is still time to check out what Sports Mole's On The Sofa team make of today's encounter.


I mentioned earlier a stat which highlights Burnley's profligacy in front of goal with just 2 per cent of their shots finding the net, but it is was a different matter completely for Leicester in their last home game against Man United. In all, the Foxes had five shots on goal and scored from each one. If they can replicate that form today then Tom Heaton will be in for a busy afternoon.

PREDICTION! With all of that in mind I'm going to back the home side to take all three points this afternoon, although I'm expecting it to remain tight throughout. If Burnley can break their goal duck then it may be a different matter completely, although Leicester have shown that they are formidable opponents on their own turf this season. 2-1.

Elsewhere this afternoon Hull City take on Crystal Palace, while Sunderland and Stoke City meet at the Stadium of Light. All four sides have made contrasting starts to the season, although each have been tipped to struggle come the business end of proceedings. Three points for Burnley or Leicester today will make a huge difference.

Pearon full of praise for today's opponents in his pre-match comments...


KICKOFF! Well here we go then at the King Power Stadium as Burnley get us underway in their claret and blue strip. Last season's top two from the Championship battling it out for three vital points in the early stages of the new Premier League season.

Positive start from the hosts who look to attack down the right through Jutkiewicz, and the striker manages to pick out Michael Kightly in the box, but he is thwarted by Liam Moore.

Burnley enjoyed the ball to themselves in the opening few minutes, although Leicester are in possession now, knocking it around defence and into midfield. It's a case of weighing up their opponents for now.

Great move from the Clarets almost leads to the games first goal. Jutkiewicz and Kightly exchanged passes, and the former had plenty of space to run into, although his shot-cross across goal had too much on it for his teammate to reach.

YELLOW CARD! Wes Morgan looks to pick out Vardy with a long ball, and the Leicester forward very nearly brought it down only for it to roll out of play. Moments later Schlupp charged forward and ran into Stephen Ward, although the referee surprisingly opted to show the Burnley man a yellow card.

SAVE! The hosts win a couple of corners which ultimately come to nothing, although Schlupp picked up a loose ball, unleashing a strike from distance which forced Heaton into action. The goalkeeper managed to get down low to collect the ball, however, with the shot lacking power.

SHOT! Boyd attempts his luck with a shot from distance which he gets horribly wrong. Ben Mee is unhappy with his teammate, he wanted the ball played into his path out wide. Leicester managed to push forward following the strike, and Vardy looked to be in only for Mee to produce a brilliant interception to win a goal kick.

Konchesky's cross into the box looks to be heading towards the head of Mahrez, although once more Mee is covering and doesn't allow the Foxes man to get any contact on the ball from a central position.

Burnley win a second corner of the game which comes to nothing, and Mahrez springs a break which leads to Leicester winning a free kick. Arfield a little fortunate not to go into the book for halting Drinkwater's charging run.

SHOT! It's Leicester turn to swing in a corner which asks some questions of the Burnley defence. A couple of shots are blocked away, though, and Dean Hammond is unable to get his strike through a crowd of bodies.

The travelling support this afternoon...


SAVE! Mahrez comes close to giving his side the breakthrough, skipping past a number of challenges before forcing Heaton into a fingertip save from 20 yards.

Mee has enjoyed a good afternoon so far both offensively and defensively. He has produced a number of blocks and gets forward at every opportunity, seeing his latest cross into the box cut out.

SHOT! Barnes opts to shoot from range and the effort takes a deflection to win Burnley a corner, but there is no way through from the resulting set-piece. Even game so far, although Heaton has been the busier keeper just about.

Vardy gets a dangerous low ball into the ball which was just asking to be tapped home, but Mee was there again to knock it out for a corner. The set-piece his hit into a good area, but guess who is there to thwart the danger yet again - Ben Mee.

Trippier looks to whip in a ball from the right, which is well cut out. There's been a lot of wing play so far this afternoon, with Vardy looking one of the more dangerous players.

Vardy goes tumbling over Shackell which clearly leaves him a bit winded on the ground. Burnley eventually knock the ball out of play so the player can receive some treatment.

It's been a somewhat frantic opening 30 minutes to the game, which has now resumed following the little break in play while Vardy was receiving treatment.

An obvious tactic from the visitors so far has been keeper Tom Heaton looking to pick out Jutkiewicz with a long ball over the top. Seems to be working so far to an extent, although more is needed from Burnley to find that killer final ball.

SHOT! Barnes test Schmeichel with a speculative long-range drive, although the Denmark international takes the sting out of the ball to thwart the attempt. He will need to do better than that to find a way through.

Mahrez has looked lively so far this afternoon...


GOAL! LEICESTER CITY 1-0 BURNLEY (SCHLUPP)

Jeffrey Schlupp gives Leicester the breakthrough with his first Premier League goal on his return to the side. The dangerous Mahrez managed to work in a low cross from the byline on the right with Schlupp firing a right-foot shot beyond the helpless Tom Heaton. Well worked goal from the hosts.

Vardy's tireless running forces Burnley into making an error. The breakthrough has given the hosts even more of a lift, and they are the ones pressing for the game's second goal.

GOAL! LEICESTER CITY 1-1 BURNLEY (KIGHTLY)

The goal drought is finally over for Burnley! Forty-seven days have passed by since they last found the net, but Kightly fires home to level it up. The winger was not tracked by Konchesky, and after anticipating the knockdown he managed to fire beyond Schmeichel from all of six yards.

GOAL! LEICESTER 2-1 BURNLEY (MAHREZ)

Incredible! Leicester regain their lead just a minute or so after seeing Burnley levelled up. Goalscorer Schlupp managed to pick out Vardy, and a deflection on his cross into the centre fell perfectly to the onrushing Mahrez who in turn headed down and past Heaton.

Leicester looking to add to their goal tally on the break. Vardy has shown some unbelievable energy this afternoon, and it was he who created his side's second.

Burnley in possession as we head towards half time. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable half of football, particularly in the last 10 minutes or so.

HALF TIME: LEICESTER CITY 2-1 BURNLEY

Leicester manage to see the remainder of the half out to hold onto their advantage at the break. It looked like being a different story just a few minutes ago, however, with Kightly's strike cancelling out Schlupp's opener, only for Mahrez to add a goal of his own.

They are beginning to turn the King Power into somewhat of a fortress...


Where to start analysing that one?! It has been an evenly-match affair on the whole, although Leicester have showed that little extra cutting edge in front of goal. Vardy's tireless running has caused countless problems for the visitors, while Mee has been arguably the Clarets' star man at the back.

Mahrez created the opening goal of the game, working in a cross from the right which Schlupp did well to fire beyond Heaton. The equaliser followed six minutes later as Burnley brought to an end their barren run in front of goal, Kightly the man with the goal as he put the ball beyond Schmeichel after finding some space inside the box.

But just one minute later the Foxes were in the lead once more, Mahrez heading home Vardy's cross into the box to make it 2-1. A hugely entertaining first half, then, which will hopefully set up an equally as exciting second 45 minutes.

SECOND HALF! We're back underway in the East Midlands. Can Burnley hit back once more and rescue something from this game?

Mahrez goes on an early run into the heart of Burnley's defence, which is well halted in the end. High-tempo start to the second half as the atmosphere inside the King Power continues to build.

Moore and Morgan continually getting the better of Burnley's strike duo. They need better service into their path in the second half if they are to add to their side's tally.

To reiterate that previous point Jutkiewicz works a one-on-one position with Morgan out wide, but he comes out second best once more.

Can the hosts add to their growing tally?



YELLOW CARD! Arfield the second Burnley player to be cautioned by referee Phil Down for his challenge on Schlupp.

The Foxes have taken control of the game in terms of possession following the interval. Burnley look as though they are going to change things up; Sordell for Barnes the most likely option.

Drinkwater has grown more into the game in the second half, also, as Leicester continue to knock the ball around in the middle of the field.

SHOT! The game has become more stretched in the last few moments as Burnley look to hit back. Mee and Arfield get a couple of decent crosses into the box and Jutkiewicz is unlucky not to find the net with his headed effort. Ironically, this will probably suit Leicester as they have looked promising on the break all afternoon.

Trippier receiving some treatment which leads to a lengthy stoppage. Sordell is waiting to come on but Dyche just assessing his options at the moment. Jutkiewicz has looked more promising in the last few minutes so he is likely to remain on the field.

LEICESTER CITY SUBSTITUTE: The hosts make the first change of the afternoon as Nugent replaces Ulloa. The Argentinian has had one of his poorer games in a Foxes shirt this afternoon.

Leicester lost their way somewhat in the last 10 minutes or so which is encouraging from a Burnley perspective. They are still lacking that little bit extra in attack, though, and will need to move up a gear if they are to find a second goal.

BURNLEY SUBSTITUTE: As expected Sordell is entering the fray in place of George Boyd. An attacking change from Dyche as we approach the final 20 minutes.

Sordell runs in behind the Leicester defence, but Schemichael races out to get to the ball first which was slightly too heavy from Barnes. That's the first time a Burnley player has managed to test the Foxes' back line like that. A more direct threat now following Sordell's introduction.

The substitute has won a free kick in a dangerous position out wide now, with Morgan clattering into him. Kightly wastes the resulting set piece, though, to the disappointment of his teammates.

LEICESTER SUBSTITUTE: Anthony Knockaert replaces Mahrez with 18 minutes remaining in the East Midlands.

Wes Morgan has enjoyed a solid afternoon at the back thus far...


SHOT! So close from Jutkiewicz who is looking far livelier in the second half. He was given space to turn on the edge of the box by Moore, and his strike ended just a yard or so wide of the target.

YELLOW CARD! Schlupp in the next player to enter the book this afternoon. Seconds earlier Jurkiewicz once more came close to finding a way through, this time forcing Schmeichael into a save.

DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION: Both sides use a little break in play to bring on further options. Kightly leaves the field in place of Ross Wallace for the visitors, while Leicester introduce Matty James in place of Hammond.

Mee produces a fine tackle - not for the first time this afternoon, it must be said - to thwart some Leicester danger. Not too much happening in the way of final-third action at the moment, although this game is still wide open.

Leicester get a few weak shots in at goal, although the momentum seems to be swinging the other way. That one-goal lead looking particularly vulnerable right now.

Bad news for Burnley supporters as Trippier stays down following a challenge from Schlupp. He signalled to the bench straight away, and the stretcher is now on the field. It could be a lengthy spell on the sidelines for him which will add to the Clarets' mounting injury troubles.

BURNLEY SUBSTITUTE: Trippier now leaves the field on a stretcher with Manchester United loanee Michael Keane coming on for his debut. He will be looking to make a late impression against his former club.

A brilliant surging run from Drinkwater causes panic in the Burnley defence. He has been excellent in the second half, and is only thwarted when the ball overruns inside the box. The visitors need to find some momentum quickly.

SAVE! Some good play for Nugent out wide, although he fails to pick out Vardy who was waiting at the back post. The ball instead deflects out for a corner, which Moore heads goalwards, yet Heaton leaps across to push it behind. Good save from the former Cardiff City man.

The fourth official lifts up his board which indicates that we will play a further seven minutes. All to play for, but right now Leicester look the more likely to score.

Solid defending from substitute Keane who comes out on top in a one-on-one position at the back. Jutkiewicz controls the ball inside the box down the other end moments later, but he is unable to pick out a teammate with his lay-off.

Burnley upping the pressure as you'd expect, but again the hosts look the likelier of the two to score right now on the break. The energy of Drinkwater almost tells, but Nugent couldn't quite play him in.

Free kick for Burnley right on the edge of the box! Moore gets a brilliant block on Arfield's shot initially but then the set-piece is conceded. Tense moment for home supporters.

GOAL!! LEICESTER CITY 2-2 BURNLEY (WALLACE)

It's an unbelievable strike from substitute Ross Wallace from the free kick! You could tell from the moment it left his foot that it was heading straight for the top corner. Harsh on Leicester, but credit to Burnley for showing the endeavour to get back into this one.

FULL TIME: LEICESTER CITY 2-2 BURNLEY

What a fantastic game of football at the King Power Stadium. Three quick-fire goals in the opening 45 minutes set up a gripping finale, with Wallace's free kick deep into injury time salvaging Burnley a point.

Well that's all from me for now, but stick around as we bring you player ratings and analysis from the East Midlands, as well as all the reaction from a dramatic afternoon.

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Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City celebrates scoring the first goal with David Nugent and Jeffrey Schlupp of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Leicester City at Britannia Stadium on September 13, 2014
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