Crystal Palace dramatically fought back from two goals down to hold Leicester City to a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park in the Premier League.
Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi's strikes had Steve Cooper's men in dreamland in the capital, but Jean-Philippe Mateta rediscovered his shooting boots at the perfect time with a second-half brace, notching his second from the penalty spot in injury time.
A Palace side reinforced by debutants Eddie Nketiah and Maxence Lacroix generally played the better football in the opening 45, only to be caught cold by 37-year-old Vardy, who benefitted from a questionable decision by Dean Henderson to open the scoring.
The response from Oliver Glasner's side was a positive one - ex-Arsenal man Nketiah in particular was a real livewire - but the Foxes still went into the break with their one-goal lead intact, albeit not without having to survive a few scares.
Palace's near-misses in attack were complemented by some lackadaisical defending, though, as Mavididi doubled Leicester's lead within seconds of the restart, benefitting from an error from Marc Guehi.
However, Glasner's troops cut the arrears in half through a fine Mateta finish almost immediately - albeit one that was initially disallowed - but Leicester's defensive efforts would ostensibly prove enough to seal victory for the visitors.
That was until Mateta stroked home his second of the game from the penalty spot deep into added time, leaving 15th-placed Leicester and 16th-placed Palace still searching for their first league victories of the campaign.
CRYSTAL PALACE VS. LEICESTER HIGHLIGHTS
Jamie Vardy goal vs. Crystal Palace (21st min, Crystal Palace 0-1 Leicester)
© Imago
A second goal of the Premier League season for the Foxes veteran, who finds himself in a foot race with Marc Guehi and Henderson and beats both of his younger colleagues!
Vardy sprints to meet Wilfred Ndidi's ball over the top, burns Guehi for pace and prods the ball past Henderson - whose decision to come out perhaps was not the best one - before tapping into an empty net from a tight angle.
In typical Vardy fashion, he gives a gleeful look to the home crowd as he celebrates!
Stephy Mavididi goal vs. Crystal Palace (46th min, Crystal Palace 0-2 Leicester)
© Imago
Palace fans went for half-time refreshments with their side down 1-0, some of them may not have even found their seats again by the time the Eagles had shipped a second!
Guehi is doing his transfer value no favours at all today, failing to properly deal with a James Justin cross and inadvertently deflecting the ball into the path of an alert Ndidi, who immediately picks out Mavididi for his second assist of the day and Leicester's second goal of the contest!
Jean-Philippe Mateta goal vs. Leicester City (48th min, Crystal Palace 1-2 Leicester)
© Imago
Talk about an instantaneous response! Tyrick Mitchell puts in a first-time cross for Mateta, who peels away from Caleb Okoli, opens up his body and calmly side-foots the ball into the far corner.
The Frenchman's strike was initially disallowed for offside, but following a VAR check, Palace have their goal!
Jean-Philippe Mateta goal vs. Leicester City (90th min, Crystal Palace 2-2 Leicester)
The comeback is complete! Ismaila Sarr has been exceptional since coming off the bench and wins his side an injury-time penalty, and a stonewall one at that, as Conor Coady sends the former Watford man tumbling.
Mateta steps up to the 12-yard mark and convincingly sends Mads Hermansen the wrong way to surely steal a point for the Eagles!
MAN OF THE MATCH - WILFRED NDIDI
© Imago
While Mateta of course deserves a mention, Wilfred Ndidi ran the show for Leicester in the engine room as he provided two assists in a single Premier League game for the first time in his career.
The Nigeria international firstly provided a perfectly-weighted ball over the top for Vardy before reacting quickly to Guehi's error to tee up Mavididi, while totalling four key passes in a playmaking masterclass.
CRYSTAL PALACE VS. LEICESTER MATCH STATS
Possession: Crystal Palace 67%-33% Leicester
Shots: Crystal Palace 20-9 Leicester
Shots on target: Crystal Palace 4-4 Leicester
Corners: Crystal Palace 5-2 Leicester
Fouls: Crystal Palace 11-15 Leicester
BEST STAT
Wilfred Ndidi has provided two assists in a Premier League game for the first time. 🅰️🅰️#CRYLEI pic.twitter.com/xj8DaeVl4X
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) September 14, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
EFL Cup matters now take priority for Crystal Palace, who travel to Queens Park Rangers for the third round on Tuesday, four days before welcoming Manchester United to Selhurst Park in the Premier League.
Leicester, meanwhile, have the luxury of a full week off from competitive action before they host Everton at the King Power Stadium on September 21.
Ben Knapton
