Sport
Schmeichel saves penalty as Leicester draw Brighton
Brendan Rodgers said Kasper Schmeichel is a “world-class goalkeeper” after his penalty save proved pivotal in Leicester’s drab Premier League goalless draw against Brighton.
Denmark’s Schmeichel dived brilliantly low to his right to hold the effort from Neal Maupay, who had been Brighton’s hero in the previous game with a late winner against Arsenal.
⛔ K A S P E R ⛔
Another huge stop from @KSchmeichel1 👊 pic.twitter.com/ITr24H84oe
— Leicester City (@LCFC) June 23, 2020
It was the only chance of note in a lacklustre match, not helped by an empty stadium or the scorching weather.
“Kasper has made a great save from the penalty, he’s invaluable,” said Leicester manager Rodgers.
“There is absolutely no doubt that he is one of the top goalkeepers in this league. Just his presence in the goal and his leadership.
“He studies penalty takers and puts in the work and he’s so agile. He has been absolutely brilliant in the two games back.”
The point consolidated Leicester’s hold on third place in the table, nine points clear of Manchester United in fifth, while Brighton moved six points away from the relegation zone.
One to forget
There have been question marks over the entertainment factor in some top-flight games since the restart and this fixture will not live long in the memory.
Rodgers may be concerned by his side’s downturn in form in the second half of the season – they have won only one of their past seven games, having at one stage been the nearest rivals to runaway league leaders Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Brighton’s win against Arsenal on Saturday was their first of the year and they have plenty of work to do to maintain their top-flight status with Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool still to play, as well as a crucial fixture against bottom-of-the-table Norwich.
Leicester captain Schmeichel made one save in the entire contest but it was key as he guessed the right way to keep out Maupay’s thumping penalty, awarded after Justin James bundled over Aaron Connolly in the area.
At the other end, the statistics will show Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan as having made two stops, although they were more akin to pass backs than efforts on goal.
Leicester playmaker James Maddison barely made a mark on the game – he lashed a shot over in frustration – while striker Jamie Vardy’s wait for his 100th Premier League goal continues.
