Leicester City were minutes away from securing their first Premier League win of the season, thanks to a brilliant performance from Nigeria’s Wilfred Ndidi, but a late penalty allowed Crystal Palace to snatch a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park.
The Foxes, winless in their first three league games since their return to the top flight, earned a valuable point, with Ndidi playing a key role throughout the match.
Coming off a loss to Aston Villa, Steve Cooper’s men showed confidence against Crystal Palace, starting strongly. Leicester dominated early, with Ndidi pulling the strings in midfield. The Nigerian midfielder picked out Jordan Ayew twice within the opening five minutes, but the Ghanaian forward failed to convert either chance.
Crystal Palace nearly took the lead against the run of play, but Wout Faes made a crucial intervention to keep the score level. Leicester continued to push forward, and it was Jamie Vardy who broke the deadlock. The veteran striker rounded the Palace goalkeeper to score into an empty net after being expertly set up by Ndidi, giving Leicester a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
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Leicester started the second half with the same intensity, doubling their lead almost immediately. Ndidi was again instrumental, setting up Steph Mavididi to make it 2-0 in the 46th minute. However, Crystal Palace responded quickly, with Jean-Philippe Mateta pulling one back for the Eagles moments later.
As the game progressed, Palace piled on the pressure, and Steve Cooper substituted the impressive Ndidi, bringing on Hamza Choudhury to help protect the lead. Despite Ndidi’s outstanding display—two assists, four key passes, and three big chances created—Leicester’s hopes of a first league win were dashed in stoppage time.
In the second minute of added time, Conor Coady conceded a penalty after fouling in the box. Mateta stepped up to convert, rescuing a point for Crystal Palace and denying Leicester a much-needed victory.
Leicester City will be left ruing their missed opportunity, but Ndidi’s standout performance offers a glimmer of hope for the matches ahead.
