Alious
Leicester City finally brought an end to their agonizing run of defeats and a prolonged goal drought with a spirited 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. It marked the Foxes’ first Premier League point since January and the first time they had found the net in 76 days.
Bilal El Khannouss emerged as the standout performer for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s struggling side, orchestrating play as Stephy Mavididi and Caleb Okoli both found the scoresheet. Despite twice taking the lead, Brighton needed a pair of VAR-assisted penalties — both converted — to deny Leicester a potentially morale-boosting win.
**Shearer Slams Controversial VAR Call**
While Leicester left the south coast with a hard-earned point, the narrative might have been different had officiating decisions tilted in their favor. Premier League icon Alan Shearer, speaking on *Match of the Day*, voiced strong disapproval over Brighton’s second penalty. The spot-kick was awarded after Luka Thomas was deemed to have fouled Matt O’Riley inside the area — a call Shearer labeled questionable at best.
“The referee didn’t initially give it. If he had, fair enough — but I was stunned to see VAR recommend a review. Sure, Thomas had some contact, but was it really enough? It didn’t strike me as a clear and obvious error,” said Shearer.
**Glimmers of Hope Despite Relegation Fears**
Despite the disappointing officiating and lack of a win, there were clear positives for Leicester. Mavididi’s clinical equalizer not only ended the scoring drought but also hinted at the forward’s potential to be a difference-maker down the stretch. Okoli, too, impressed with his first goal in English football, offering a glimpse of what the Foxes are capable of under the right tactical setup.
While avoiding relegation still appears a daunting challenge, especially with only six matches remaining, the performance against a European-chasing Brighton outfit provides much-needed encouragement. For a team that has endured months of hardship, this battling draw could offer the foundation for a late-season resurgence — even if the odds remain stacked against them.
Alious
