Leeds 1-1 Leicester: Super sub Jamie Vardy rescues the Foxes with just his second goal of the season

Never write Jamie Vardy off. With just one league goal all season and his pace slowly declining, Leicester’s best player looked to be approaching the end of the line.

But just when Leicester needed him, Vardy attacked. The second-half substitute provided a finish of his finest days and a celebration to match, leading Leeds fans to believe that Luis Sinisterra’s first-half goal would earn them three precious points.

The draw puts both teams in trouble and does more for their relegation rivals than for either of them. Leeds then take on Bournemouth and Leicester take on Everton.

Previously, one-off Leicester target Jack Harrison had opened for Sinisterra and in the Elland Road bear pit Leeds seemed to hold their ground thanks to a display of aggression and passion. They were also lucky when Youri Tielemans’ early goal was rejected by a narrow offside action.

But despite the late equaliser, this display was exactly what Leeds supporters – who vehemently protested the possession in last Saturday’s defeat at Fulham – wanted to see. Maybe next time they play against Bournemouth, they’ll have more fun.

Youri Tielemans thought he had opened the score after eight minutes, but the VAR rejected it for offside

Jamie Vardy came off the bench to salvage a tie for the Foxes for his first goal in six months

But how they could have done with a win. Leeds’ games in May will be tough, while Leicester will cherish their chances at home against Everton.

Leeds experienced a huge moment of relief in the seventh minute as Youri Tielemans’ sweet strike from the edge of the area found the top corner and pierced the upbeat mood in the field. Moments later, the home fans cheered as if they had scored.

Replays showed that when James Maddison Boubakary’s corner clipped Soumare offside, the Leicester midfielder was offside. Soumare then tapped the loose ball back to Tielemans, so the goal did not count.

That should have excited Leeds, but they kept looking nervous. Soumare and Maddison teamed up to find Kelechi Iheanacho, who released Harvey Barnes. The winger, fit again from injury, felt a seventh goal in as many games against Leeds, only for Liam Cooper to block his shot.

On the other hand, neither Patrick Bamford nor Sinisterra could convert Jack Harrison’s cross from the right, and Leeds fans’ fears kicked up a notch when a sliding Maddison was inches from a volley into Iheanacho’s cross, after Cooper took possession of the ball. had given away.

With Leicester looking calm and Elland Road ready to turn, Leeds suddenly found a moment of inspiration. Harrison had easily been their biggest threat and the skill he showed to beat Victor Kristiansen was matched only by the cross – a perfect delivery at the far post that eluded Timothy Castagne and gave Sinisterra a simple header at the far post. Joy and relief flowed through the stadium.

Leicester tried to reply, but Luke Ayling did a good job handcuffing Barnes and when the visitors won a free-kick at the corner of the box, Maddison’s shot was poor. Considering the England man had clearly dived to earn the set piece, it was probably for the best.

The England international almost quickly made it two, but VAR prevented him from doubling his score

Both Dean Smith and Javi Gracia have been appointed interim managers until the end of the season

It was a fiercely fought battle between the two sides in which a total of six yellow cards were handed out

Moments earlier, Sinisterra had succumbed to a strong challenge from Caglar Soyuncu and had to be substituted just after half an hour. Despite the cries for Wilfried Gnonto, Leeds boss Javi Gracia chose Crysencio Summerville instead.

The temperature rose on the pitch and in the dugouts and when Ayling earned a yellow card for a thunderous challenge on Barnes, Gracia charged down the touchline insisting his player had won the ball.

Leicester had a different opinion and referee Paul Tierney had to step in to calm down the pushing and pulling. Tierney was generally happy to let the game flow, to the frustration of Tielemans and Maddison who felt he was too indulgent.

Leeds should have doubled their lead early in the second half when a mistake by Soumare let Rodrigo in. The Whites’ top scorer slowed down his shot, allowing Wout Faes to block it before it could put Daniel Iversen in trouble.

Leeds took an ultra-physical approach and when Maddison was clattered from behind by Marc Roca, he became the third home player to go down in the book.

The home side’s small advantage meant they were deep and it worked. Leicester had most of the possession but struggled to push through Gracia’s defensive wall. Their frustration was symbolized when Tielemans, one of the best players up to that point, volleyed a pass intended for Tete directly into touch.

Leicester got the initiative and Leeds were relieved to see Maddison put a free-kick into the wall from a perfect position after Cooper’s trip on Iheanacho.

For all their possession, the Foxes were toothless and it was no surprise that boss Dean Smith sent off two forwards, Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka, with 20 minutes remaining. Now Leicester played almost 4-2-4 with Daka and Maddison on the flanks and Vardy and Iheanacho down the middle.

Illan Meslier then made his first serious save of the game with a sharp stop from Iheanacho’s low effort. The Frenchman again dismissed Iheanacho after a clever through ball from Maddison, before another Maddison free-kick was wasted as Leeds began to glimpse the finish.

But then Vardy – with just one league goal this season – made his mark. Iheanacho located Maddison and the ball kindly broke to Vardy, who guided it past Meslier with genuine composure. Vardy thought he would get a second chance shortly afterwards, but was rightly offside.

Then Leeds almost won it. First Iversen produced decisive saves from Roca and substitute Brenden Aaronson, then Bamford made a foul kick at the far post from six feet out – although the attempt might have been disallowed for offside had he gone in.