Leicester City 2-2 Manchester United
Second versus third in the Premier League – quite a way to start the merriment of Boxing Day football across the country.
With home form mixed for both sides so far (although Manchester United’s record on the road has been superb), it’s fair to say such inconsistency means neither side is expected to mount a sustained title challenge.
Yet that didn’t mean there would be any fewer Premier League highlights than normal.
Highlights of the game
Leicester went into the contest in second place after an impressive victory over earlier leaders Spurs last Sunday, while United also had an impressive win of their own as they hit Leeds United for six.
The main team news saw the Foxes striker Jamie Vardy named in the starting line-up, despite being substituted at Tottenham because of a hip issue, while United were able to welcome back Scott McTominay.
On the other side, two defenders, home centre back Caglar Soyuncu and visiting full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka were not yet ready to return.
The latter’s absence meant, surprisingly, that Victor Lindelof started at right-back for the visitors.
From two sides whose strength is to attack, this was always likely to be an open encounter and so it proved.
Indeed, United should have led from the start but Marcus Rashford – who has received deserved acclaim for his efforts on and off the pitch this week – sent a free header over the top following a delightful chip by Bruno Fernandes.
It was an uncharacteristic miss but you can’t keep a good man down and the inspirational young player made up for the wasted opportunity with the opening goal.
Dan James’ ball was touched on by Fernandes and the frontman was clinical, expertly side-footing the ball beyond Kasper Schmeichel.
It was a lead that would last only six minutes.
When James Maddison pinched possession of Fernandes and gave the ball to Harvey Barnes on the edge of the penalty area there was still plenty to do, but the promising youngster shimmied and made room for a shot which he rifled past David de Gea to underline his growing reputation.
Fernandes had a chance to restore United’s lead with a header before the break as the contest remained in the balance and that remained the case into the second half with Schmeichel making a fine to prevent Rashford from scoring a second goal just before the hour.
Either side could have edged in front but – arguably the best player in the Premier League this calendar year since making his debut in February – was to have another key involvement.
Moments after coming on, Edinson Cavani showed his impact for the second time in less than four days as he teed up Fernandes who stroked the ball home with panache.
The scoring wasn’t over though and Vardy, otherwise quiet, levelled matters once more with another equaliser, converting a ball from another substitute, Ayoze Perez.
Both sides saw key players, Maddison and Rashford, go down with injuries in the closing stages and it’s hoped not serious ones amid a highly congested calendar.
Four goals shared, a point each, league positions unchanged (for now) and little respite before the next fixtures.
That was Boxing Day 2020 for Leicester City and Manchester United.
Key statistics
Fernandes has been directly involved in over half of United’s Premier League goals since his debut in February (31/60), scoring 18 and assisting a further 13. He is the first Portuguese player to score 10 goals in a Premier League season since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008-09.
Aged 23 years and 56 days, Rashford is the third-youngest United player to reach 50 Premier League goals following Wayne Rooney (22 years 157 days) and Cristiano Ronaldo (22 years 341 days).
Barnes has scored seven goals in 20 games in all competitions, equalling his tally from the 2019-20 campaign for the Foxes (seven in 42 appearances).
Vardy has scored 44 Premier League goals since Brendan Rodgers’ first match as Leicester manager in March 2019, more than any other player during this period.
Cavani has been directly involved in five Premier League goals as a substitute this season (three goals and two assists), two more than any other player.
Leicester’s only win in their 15 Premier League home games against United was a 5-3 victory in September 2014 (drawn five, lost nine).
United are unbeaten in the past 12 top-flight meetings with the Foxes (won eight, drawn four).
Leicester have lost 19 Premier League matches versus Manchester United, more than against any other side.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have scored at least two goals in each of their last 11 away league matches, two short of the top-flight record.
What’s next?
Leicester are at Crystal Palace in little over 48 hours’ time (December 28) before visiting Newcastle on Sunday (January 3).
United have two home matches in the space of four days with Wolves and Aston Villa the visitors on Tuesday night and New Year’s Day.
Check out the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds for all of the festive.
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