Stoke City welcomed the Premier League champions Leicester City to the Britannia on Saturday afternoon.
A miserable first half for the Foxes saw Jamie Vardy sent from the field and goals from Bojan Krkic and Joe Allen leave Stoke with a two-goal lead at the interval.
Leicester were back in the match in the 74th minute through Leonardo Ulloa, however, before Daniel Amartey secured a point for the Foxes with a header two minutes from time.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from the Britannia Stadium as Mark Hughes's Stoke City side welcome the champions Leicester City, who just cannot seem to get going this term. Both of these teams will be eyeing all three points ahead of the Christmas period, which should mean an open and expansive game of football here. Stay tuned for live updates!
Stoke are yet to win a Premier League home game against Leicester – drawing once and losing once to the Foxes in this particular stadium. What's more, Leicester have only conceded three goals in their last five league meetings with Stoke and recorded a 3-0 victory at the King Power Stadium in January. That said, the points were shared in a 2-2 draw in this ground last term.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Britannia. Both managers have injuries/suspensions to contend with so who has made the two XIs? Let's see...
TEAMS!
STOKE: Grant; Johnson, Shawcross, Martins Indi; Diouf, Whelan, Imbula, Pieters; Allen, Bojan; Walters
LEICESTER: Schmeichel; Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Albrighton, King, Amartey, Mahrez; Slimani, Vardy
Stoke boss Mark Hughes has made three changes to the side that started Wednesday's goalless draw against Southampton, with Mame Biram Diouf, Giannelli Imbula and Bojan Krkic taking the places of Marko Arnautovic, Charlie Adam and Xherdan Shaqiri. Arnautovic misses out this afternoon through suspension, while Adam and Shaqiri have both dropped to the bench for the Potters.
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As for Leicester, Kasper Schmeichel has returned between the sticks after missing the last six weeks with a broken hand. The Denmark international takes the place of Ron-Robert Zieler, while Danny Simpson returns from a one-game suspension to replace Luis Hernandez at right-back. Jamie Vardy and Islam Slimani continue up top, leaving Shinji Okazaki on the bench once again.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in Stoke. I shall speak about the visitors and their title defence a bit later, but let's start with Stoke, who will enter this match down in 12th in the Premier League table on 20 points.
Stoke have won five, drawn five and lost six of their 16 league matches this season, with a total of 20 points leaving them down in 12th. They actually failed to win any of their opening seven league matches, but have only lost twice since and a strong run of form has seen them move up the table. Indeed, they are only three points behind seventh-place West Bromwich Albion as it stands.
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In terms of recent form, Hughes's side have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five in the league. They suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth on November 19, before responding with a 1-0 win at Watford and 2-0 victory at home to Burnley, which moved the club into the top half.
It has been a disappointing week for the Potters, however, who suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Arsenal last weekend before drawing 0-0 at home to Southampton during the week. That said, the point against Southampton would have been seen as a positive considering that they had to play with 10 men for long spells. Today is a massive football match for Stoke as they look to return to winning ways.
This match takes on more importance when considering that Stoke's next two in the league are very, very tough. Indeed, they will travel to Liverpool on December 27, before visiting Chelsea on December 31. The year of 2017 will then begin with a home game against Watford and Hughes will have targeted this match and the Watford clash as two matches to secure maximum points.
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As for Leicester, there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a very disappointing title defence thus far. Indeed, the Foxes have won four, drawn four and lost eight of their 16 league matches this season, with a total of 16 points leaving them down in 14th position, just four points outside of the bottom three. This time last season, they were flying at the top of the table.
Claudio Ranieri did manage to lead his team into the knockout stage of the Champions League, where they will take on Sevilla, but the bread and butter of the league has suffered in the process. They have actually only won one of their last seven in the league, but that was a spectacular 4-2 win over Manchester City last weekend, where Vardy returned to form with a deadly hat-trick.
Ranieri would have been looking for his side to build on the Man City result when they travelled to Bournemouth on Tuesday night, but a 1-0 defeat made it eight losses in the league this season. Indeed, Leicester's return of one point from their first eight away games of the season is the lowest total by a defending top-flight champion. The Foxes just have not been good enough this term.
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Leicester have also conceded in each of their last 10 Premier League away matches, which is their worst run since April 2002. No-one expected the Foxes to challenge for the title this season, or even challenge for the top four, but few would have predicted their struggles in the opening months.
In terms of what is ahead for the English champions, they will host Everton in the league on December 26, before welcoming West Ham United to the King Power Stadium on December 31. Middlesbrough will then welcome Leicester to the Riverside at the start of 2017 and you sense that the next four matches could well define the club's season. Kickoff is now just 10 minutes away here!
CLAUDIO: "Kasper is ready to play, but it's mostly the same players as I want to see our reaction. We're ready for the battle." #StoLei — Leicester City (@LCFC) December 17, 2016
Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at the Britannia. It is a cold afternoon in Stoke, but the supporters have turned out in their numbers. You just get the feeling that the first goal here - if there indeed is one - could be crucial in this type of fixture.
KICKOFF! Stoke get things underway at the Britannia...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. The home supporters will be looking for their side to return to winning ways, but Leicester will also fancy their chances if they can start well. Whelan has the first shot of the game for Stoke, but his effort is wide.
Decent possession for Stoke in the early minutes of this match, but not too much to report aside from that Whelan effort from distance. Nothing from Leicester in terms of an attacking threat.
SAVE! Super chance for Stoke as Allen plays a cute pass into Walters inside the Leicester box, but Schmeichel is on hand to make a brilliant save. All Stoke with six minutes played here.
Half-chance for Leicester this time as Mahrez carries the ball down the left before cutting inside and firing towards goal, but Grant is on hand to make the save. Vardy actually almost made contact on Mahrez's effort, but Grant collected with relative ease. Open game of football at the Britannia.
Not too much of a surprise that Stoke are dominating the ball at the moment, but Leicester are causing problems when they have the chance to break. Indeed, Vardy has been very lively in the last few minutes as he looks to link with Mahrez and man mountain Slimani in dangerous positions.
SAVE! Grant has to push a looping Huth effort over the crossbar as Leicester start to make their mark in the final third of the field. That is a super reaction save from Grant.
Allen almost breaks through for Stoke following smart work from Imbula, but Morgan is across to make a super challenge as the end-to-end period of the match continues. As mentioned in the build-up, you just get the feeling that the first goal this afternoon could be all-important.
King is fortunate to escape a booking after diving into a challenge with Bojan and catching the Spaniard late. Bojan has recently been linked with a return to Spain after his lack of starts this season, but the former Barcelona forward has the chance to make his mark this afternoon.
Smart football down the left from Stoke as Pieters combines with Allen, but Leicester have been nice and tight at the back thus far and manage to clear their lines once again. Leicester were so good defensively towards the back end of last season and they need to get back to that form.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with both sides guilty of conceding possession in the middle of the park. Stoke are the team looking for the breakthrough, but Morgan and Huth have been nice and solid thus far. Still goalless with 22 minutes on the clock.
Amartey has a problem for Leicester after a coming-together with Bojan...
... the injury came after Amartey challenged Bojan inside the Leicester box.
Amartey is fit to continue following a period of treatment. Couple of penalty shouts for Stoke in the opening 23 minutes of this match, but neither carried any weight. Play continues at the Britannia.
Half-chance for Leicester as Slimani breaks beyond Shawcross and drives one towards goal, but Grant is on hand to make the save. Might have done better from that position!
Stoke break down the other end and Imbula finds Bojan inside the Leicester box, but King is on hand to make brilliant block. End-to-end period of this match, which is now 25 minutes old.
SAVE! Grant has to make another save in the Stoke goal as Vardy comes alive inside the box and strikes towards the bottom corner. Good stuff from the champions at the moment.
RED CARD! VARDY!
Leicester have been reduced to 10 men as Vardy is sent from the field following a lunging challenge on Diouf. The striker did appear to dive in, but the red card, for me, is very harsh indeed.
Leicester continue to break forward despite the red card and Grant has to come across to catch a high ball from Albrighton, which had been heading for Slimani. There is a real ill-feeling on the pitch at the moment as tasty challenges continue to occur. The referee needs to get hold of this one.
Half-chance for Stoke this time as Johnson delivers a dangerous cross towards Diouf, but Leicester manage to scramble clear. Terrific noise inside the stadium at the moment. Some atmosphere!
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining at the Britannia and we are still level at 0-0. However, the match is now firmly in the favour of Stoke following Vardy's red card. There is still a real sense of injustice among the Leicester players as they continue to query every decision.
The pressure continues from Stoke as Pieters delivers a cross from a wide position and it actually just deflects over Schmeichel's crossbar. Leicester are coming under serious pressure and they need to find a way to come through this difficult spell. The Foxes are very much up against it.
PENALTY STOKE!
Stoke have a penalty as Simpson uses his hand to block a cross from Bojan! Clear spot kick!
BOOKING! Simpson (Leicester) is booked for handball.
GOAL! Stoke 1-0 Leicester (Bojan, pen)
Bojan makes no mistake as the Spaniard smashes his effort into the bottom corner!
Leicester had a really good 10-minute spell before Vardy was sent from the field, but it has been all Stoke since then and the Potters are searching for a second goal late in the first period. It has been a brilliant opening 43 minutes of football, with both teams showing their attacking threat here.
BOOKING! Slimani (Leicester) is booked for dissent.
BOOKING! King (Leicester) is booked for a poor challenge on Bojan.
Two minutes of added time at the end of the first period here.
BOOKING! Fuchs (Leicester) is booked for dissent.
GOAL! Stoke 2-0 Leicester (Allen)
Stoke have their second of the match in the third minute of added time at the end of the first period as Allen taps home from close range after Imbula's strike had hit the inside of the Leicester post!
HALF-TIME: Stoke 2-0 Leicester
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Stoke leading 10-man Leicester 2-0 courtesy of goals from Bojan and Allen. Everything that could have gone wrong for Leicester in the first period went wrong! Vardy saw red before Bojan converted from the penalty spot and Allen made it two in the third minute of stoppage time. More trouble for the champions here.
STATISTICS! Stoke have dominated the possession with 67%, while they managed eight shots in the first period - three of which were on target. Leicester, meanwhile, hit the target with six of their eight attempts, but they have an awful lot of work to do in the second 45 minutes. Incredibly, there have been five yellow cards in the first period - all for Leicester - while Vardy saw red for a lunge on Diouf.
BENCH WATCH! Stoke have been strong going forward this afternoon, but Hughes has the likes of Adam, Bony, Crouch and Shaqiri in reserve if he wishes to alter proceedings. Leicester, meanwhile, also have plenty of attacking options in the shape of Gray, Mendy, Musa, Okazaki and Ulloa.
Another tough afternoon for Leicester thus far...
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RESTART! Leicester resume the action at the Britannia...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, the Foxes have five players on yellow cards and cannot afford to go down to nine men here.
Awkward for Schmeichel as the Leicester goalkeeper spills a cross from Pieters, but Leicester manage to clear their lines following a period of panic. The last thing that the Foxes need is to take a heavy defeat this afternoon, but Stoke are sensing blood in the early stages of this second period.
BOOKINGS! Huth (Leicester) and Diouf (Stoke) are booked following a clash.
Allen finds space outside the Leicester box before having a pop, but his effort was always moving away from the post. A third for Stoke would absolutely wrap up all three points this afternoon.
As it stands, Stoke are moving into ninth position in the Premier League table, while Leicester would drop to 16th position, which is an indication of their troubles this term. The Foxes were absolutely sensational last season as they won the title, but they have really, really struggled in this campaign.
Leicester have a free kick in a dangerous position as Martins Indi fells Slimani...
... Mahrez takes the set piece, but the ball rises high over Grant's crossbar.
Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining and still no movement on either bench, which is a surprise. While Stoke are in control, one goal for Leicester would make it very nervy inside this stadium. I suspect that Ranieri will have plenty to say on the Vardy red card after this match.
SAVE! Stunning save from Schmeichel as the Leicester goalkeeper keeps out a point-blank header from Walters, who had managed to find space inside the away side's penalty box.
But for Schmeichel, Leicester could be four or five goals behind this afternoon. The Foxes qualified for the knockout round of the Champions League very comfortably indeed, but they have struggled so badly in the league that they won last season. Still a lot of football to be played at the Britannia.
Better from Leicester as Mahrez and Albrighton combine down the right before forcing a corner, but Stoke clear their lines once again as Diouf rises at the near post. Diouf has a strange wing-back role in this Stoke team at the moment and the former Man United striker is playing very well.
Possession football from Stoke in the last couple of minutes, but they need to be careful as Leicester continue to threaten on the counter-attack. I fancy at least one more goal in this game.
Little over 20 minutes of this second period remaining and Leicester have been the better side in the last five or 10 minutes here. Still no movement on either bench as both managers stick with what they have got! One goal for Leicester might well set up a grandstand finish at the Britannia.
BOOKING! Pieters (Stoke) is booked for a tug on Mahrez.
Pieters whips a dangerous cross into the Leicester box, but there are no takers at the far post and Leicester survive another dangerous situation. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining here.
LEICESTER SUBS! Gray and Ulloa replace Albrighton and Slimani.
GOAL! Stoke 2-1 Leicester (Ulloa)
Leicester are back in the match with 15 minutes to play as Ulloa's header from a Mahrez cross finds its way over the line after confirmation from the referee's watch! Game on at the Britannia!
Possession football from Stoke in the last few minutes, but they are not very comfortable at the moment as Leicester continue to threaten on the counter-attack. Mahrez has been excellent for the visitors in this second period and it could have been very different with 11 versus 11 here.
The away supporters are in fine voice at the moment as Leicester continue to look dangerous on the counter-attack. Ranieri has to be pleased with his team's second-half response here.
LEICESTER SUB! Musa replaces Mahrez for the away side.
Huth has to rise above Diouf to clear a dangerous cross as Leicester survive another dangerous moment inside their own box. Still no movement on the Stoke bench with 83 minutes played.
STOKE SUB! Adam replaces Bojan for the home side.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments as Stoke keep Leicester at bay. You just get the feeling that there might be one last big chance at the Britannia here.
GOAL! Stoke 2-2 Leicester (Amartey)
Oh my word! Leicester equalise in the 88th minute as Fuchs delivers a super cross into the Stoke box and Amartey rises above everyone to head into the back of the net. Incredible!
We are into the first of four additional minutes at the Britannia.
All Stoke in stoppage time as they press players forward in a bid to regain the lead, but Leicester have a free kick after bodies clash inside the box. Leicester deserve this in my mind.
STOKE SUB! Ramadan replaces Whelan for the home side.
What a second period! Stoke were so comfortable at 2-0 and one man ahead, but Leicester have come from two goals behind to secure a point at the Britannia. Incredible game of football this afternoon. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again! See you soon!
