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West Brom logo
Premier League
Oct 31, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Leicester logo

2-3

Rondon (30'), Lambert (84' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)
Mahrez (57', 64'), Vardy (77')

Live Commentary: West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Leicester City - as it happened

Relive Leicester City's 3-2 victory at West Bromwich Albion with Sports Mole's live text commentary.
2

Leicester City travelled to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League and came away with maximum points in a 3-2 thriller.

Salomon Rondon's first goal at The Hawthorns sent the Baggies into the break with a 1-0 lead, but a Riyad Mahrez brace and a Jamie Vardy strike turned the match on its head in the second period.

Rickie Lambert pulled one back for West Brom from the penalty spot with six minutes remaining, but it proved no more than consolation.

Find out how the action unfolded with our minute-by-minute text commentary below.


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Good afternoon and welcome to our live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City at The Hawthorns. Both managers have submitted their teamsheets, so starting lineups are our first port of call...

West Brom: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Brunt, Fletcher, Yacob, McClean, Sessegnon, Berahino, Rondon
Subs: Lindegaard, Olsson, Chester, Gardner, Morrison, Lambert, McManaman

Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Schlupp, Albrighton, Drinkwater, Kante, Mahrez, Ulloa, Vardy
Subs: De Laet, King, Okazaki, Dyer, Chilwell, Schwarzer, Inler

West Brom manager Tony Pulis has named an unchanged lineup for the third week in a row, with Salomon Rondon partnering Saido Berahino up top. We can't blame him for sticking to his guns after two wins on the spin, the latest of which was a 1-0 victory over Norwich City with Rondon on the scoresheet.

It's all change for Leicester from the side that were dumped out of the League Cup by Hull City in midweek, with first-team regulars Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez returning to the fray. Leonardo Ulloa is something of a surprise starter for the Foxes after missing out on the Hull defeat through injury.

The Baggies haven't enjoyed the best of starts to their Premier League campaign, going into October with just two wins under their belts, but things are looking up. Last weekend's win over Norwich was their second on the bounce, with Sunderland losing 1-0 on this ground the week before.

Defending is their strong point - they hold the sixth-best defensive record in the division with 11 goals conceded and six clean sheets so far, but their goalscoring record is another matter entirely.

The Baggies have scored just eight goals this term, which is where all of their problems lie. This man Salomon Rondon could be the key to reversing that. The club's record signing has put in some impressive performances of late, including his match-winning contribution against Norwich last week.

Salomon Rondon of West Bromwich Albion celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion at Carrow Road on October 24, 2015 © Getty Images


Leicester head into the match riding high in fifth place, having lost just one league game all season. Last weekend's victory over Crystal Palace saw manager Claudio Ranieri come good on his promise of taking his in-form Foxes for a pizza - all part of a professional athlete's balanced diet, of course.

There are many factors behind their recent success, one being the goalscoring form of the exceptional Jamie Vardy. He's found the net in his last SEVEN Premier League games, a record only bettered by Daniel Sturridge and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Leicester midfielder N'Golo Kante is another one to watch this afternoon. He has made no fewer than 38 interceptions in the Prem this season, more than any other player.

N'Golo Kante of Leicester looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur on August 22, 2015© Getty Images


PREDICTION: Now that we've discussed both sides' recent form, how about a prediction? We're going with a 2-2 draw this afternoon - Leicester score plenty of goals but are known to concede them as well, and with West Brom approaching the match in good form, they should be able to exploit that.

With just over 20 minutes to go ahead of kickoff, why not check out what the Sports Mole sofa panel had to say about the potential outcome of this one by hitting play on the video below?


History does favour West Brom in this fixture, with the Baggies winning four of their last five games against Leicester in all competitions. However, the Foxes have emerged victorious on two of their last three visits to The Hawthorns - so make of that what you will.

Some pre-match quotes from both managers coming up...

Ranieri: "What we are doing here is like a pizza. To do well you have to have the right ingredients - players, team spirit, fans - and you need a sprinkle of good luck. The fans are the tomato. Without tomato there is no pizza! The topping for all of us would be to get to 40 points."

A pizza-themed quote from the Italian there, not that he's stereotypical or anything!

Pulis: "[Claudio] Ranieri has benefited from all the work Nigel [Pearson] has put in. It's very, very nice to step into a football club where everything is in place. Last season was a remarkable achievement and Claudio has picked it up and carried it on. Let's not forget the work Nigel did in the three, four years he was at that club putting them in a position for Claudio now to push on."

Tony Pulis manager of West Bromwich Albion gestures during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park on September 19, 2015 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.© Getty Images


The Baggies boss certainly has a point about Nigel Pearson there. The Foxes' good form stretches back long before Ranieri took charge, with Leicester having lost just two of their last 19 league matches, a run that includes 10 wins and five draws, but kudos to the Italian for maintaining things.

There has been one match in the Premier League already this afternoon, with Liverpool defeating Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in the lunchtime kickoff. You can read about how Jurgen Klopp's men piled more pressure on Blues boss Jose Mourinho in our match report here.

And here's a quick rundown of the other 3pm kickoffs:

Crystal Palace vs Man Utd
Man City vs Norwich
Newcastle vs Stoke
Swansea vs Arsenal
Watford vs West Ham


Back to The Hawthorns and both sets of players are making their way out onto the pitch. There's a good attendance this afternoon and the supporters are in fine voice.

KICKOFF! We're under way here at The Hawthorns. Both sides line up in a 4-4-2 formation. Does that mean they'll cancel each other out? Let's hope not!

Jeffrey Schlupp surges down the left flank, breaks into the West Brom half, and almost reaches the byline before overrunning it and gifting the hosts a goalkick. Stephane Sessegnon tracked back to put him under pressure and did just enough to put him off.

Leicester win the first corner of the match as Jamie Vardy attempts to cut inside over on the left. Gareth McAuley stands his ground but cannot prevent the corner. Claudio Yacob heads the resulting cross clear, before the Foxes' attack breaks down when an offside flag goes up against Leonardo Ulloa.

The visitors have settled into the game well and showed plenty of attacking intend in these opening stages. West Brom are defending deep, and look solid at the back. The early evidence suggests that this will be a hard-fought contest.

CLOSE! Leicester almost take the lead as Vardy twists and turns his way into the area before unleashing a stinging shot that Boaz Myhill can only tip onto the post. A let-off for Tony Pulis's side there!

The Foxes are looking the more likely to break the deadlock here. West Brom are struggling to deal with Marc Albrighton in the midfield and the strength of Leonardo Ulloa up front. West Brom haven't found any rhythm yet and look nervous on the back foot.

Plenty of noise from the away supporters, who sound impressed by what they have seen from their side so far. They haven't created much in the last few minutes, though, as the tempo has dropped out.

Slightly better from West Brom, who have started to venture forward now. Claudio Yacob plays a ball over the top towards Salomon Rondon, but the big striker hasn't quite got the legs to collect it in the box.

SHOT! Marc Albrighton gains possession 30 yards from goal. He ghosts past two defenders and shoots on the turn, but his effort was always bending wide of the near post. Myhill looks like he would have had that one covered, too.

Good block by Chris Brunt, who gets his body in the way of a Riyad Mahrez strike inside the box. Leicester have found their rhythm once again, but West Brom have been every inch a Tony Pulis side at the back this afternoon.

Free kick to West Brom in a good position after Danny Drinkwater drags Salomon Rondon to ground. Chris Brunt's strike from the resulting set piece cannons off the wall and ends up going behind for a corner.

Stephane Sessegnon's corner is sailing straight for the head of Saido Berahino in front of goal, but Kasper Schmeichel beats the Baggies striker to it and punches the cross clear. Good goalkeeping.

GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Leicester City (Salomon Rondon)

West Brom's record signing breaks the deadlock at The Hawthorns with a flying header. Stephane Sessegnon provides the cross from a corner and Rondon popped up unmarked in the six yard box to place a thumping header beyond Schmeichel. A well-taken goal, but Leicester's defending was questionable.

Here are the scenes moments before Rondon broke the deadlock as Berahino uses his strength to win a corner off Danny Simpson:


Leicester started the match brightly, but they have it all to do now as Tony Pulis is the undisputed king of the 1-0 win. Incidentally, that West Brom goal was only their second from a set piece this season:


West Brom don't look content with their slender lead, though. They've just won another corner and almost made it count as Chris Brunt's cross sailed across the face of goal and narrowly missed the head of Jonny Evans. He's claiming he had his shirt pulled by Ulloa, and it looks like he has a point.

CHANCE! Boaz Myhill does well to keep out a glancing header from Leonardo Ulloa. The Argentine rises high to meet Mahrez's lofted pass. He didn't get much on it, but it would have been enough to guide the ball over the line without that reaction stop from Myhill.

More Baggies pressure as McClean's low cross is turned behind by Morgan for another corner. Sessegnon whips in a dangerous cross, but Morgan is on hand to clear Leicester's lines.

Just one minute of stoppage time to play.

HALF TIME: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Leicester City

The half-time whistle sounds and West Brom head into the break with a 1-0 lead over Leicester thanks to Salomon Rondon's first goal at The Hawthorns. It's been a close match, but the Foxes deserve it on the balance of play.

Here's the other half-time scorelines in the Premier League:

Crystal Palace 0-0 Man Utd
Man City 0-0 Norwich
Newcastle 0-0 Stoke
Swansea 0-0 Arsenal
Watford 1-0 West Ham


That Rondon goal is the biggest talking point of the first half. It was a bullet header from him, but Leicester might want to rethink the way they defend corners. The big striker got away from his marker too easily, and there was nobody on the line to attempt a clearance.

At the other end, Leicester's best goalscoring opportunity fell to Jamie Vardy in the eighth minute, a well-taken shot that was kept out only by the goalkeeping skills of Boaz Myhill, who's been impressive all afternoon. The Foxes certainly have their work cut out breaking down a stubborn defence and beating him.

RESTART: We're back under way at The Hawthorns, where Tony Pulis and West Brom are 45 minutes away from a third win in a row. Leicester will certainly have something to say about that, and in the form they're in, an equaliser is by no means out of the question.

CHANCE! A confident start to the second half from the Baggies as they go straight on the counter. The balls finds its way to the feet of Rondon, who plays a low pass across the area towards Berahino, but Simpson tracks back and makes a vital interception to snuff out the danger.

Here's the scenes that followed Rondon's header in the first period. He's clearly delighted to have netted his first goal in front of the Baggies supporters.

Salomon Rondon of West Bromwich Albion celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City at The Hawthorns on October 31, 2015© Getty Images


West Brom are still on the front foot and great determination from Stephane Sessegnon has just won them another corner, but they fail to make it count.

Leicester are still under the cosh! West Brom are attacking in waves and the Foxes were only saved by an offside flag against Berahino just now. Leicester are preparing to make their first substitution, with Shinji Okazaki about to come on to replace Leonardo Ulloa up front.

GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Leicester City (Riyad Mahrez)

Leicester draw level thanks to a beautifully-crafted goal! Marc Albrighton plays a devious cross into the area that floats behind the West Brom defence, needing only the slightest of touches from Riyad Mahrez to make the net bulge. That's the Algerian's seventh of the season!

PENALTY SHOUT! West Brom are denied a cast-iron penalty as Robert Huth floors Gareth McAuley in the box. The referee waves alway the protests, but photographic evidence suggests he got that one wrong. Just take a look at this challenge:


GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Leicester City (Riyad Mahrez)

The match turns on its head as Riyad Mahrez helps himself to his second of the afternoon. Albrighton supplies the cross again, and the Algerian meets it with an unstoppable volley from close range. However, the replay suggests he was in an offside position. It just isn't West Brom's afternoon!

West Brom go in search of an equaliser as Sessegnon plays a free kick into the centre of the area. Schmeichel is quick off his line to punch the ball clear. Leicester make a change moments later, throwing on King for Ulloa to pack out their midfield.

If you ever doubted how valuable Mahrez is to this Leicester side, take a look at this stat:


SUBSTITUTIONS: Albrighton leaves the field to rapturous applause from the travelling fans. He's replaced by Dyer. There's also a double change for the Baggies as Morrison and Lambert replace Berahino and Jacob.

GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 1-3 Leicester City (Jamie Vardy)

Jamie Vardy puts Leicester on the brink of three points with a superb strike, making it EIGHT goals in as many games for him! The build up was just as impressive as the finish, with Vardy exchanging passes with Drinkwater before racing clear of the Baggies defence and smashing a low strike into the bottom corner.

Confirmation that Vardy's strike makes him one of the only three players to score in eight games running, along with Daniel Sturridge and Ruud van Nistelrooy. What an accomplishment!


PENALTY TO WEST BROM! McManaman goes down in the area under pressure from Simpson and Dyer and the referee points to the spot!

GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Leicester City (Rickie Lambert, pen)

Rickie Lambert makes no mistake from 12 yards to end his goal drought and set up a grandstand finish here at The Hawthorns. Is there another twist in this one?

CHANCE! McManaman gains possession just outside the area, gets in between two blue shirts and shoots on the turn. His effort is close, but was drifting wide from the moment it left his boot! That chance whipped the home fans into frenzy!

There will be five minutes of stoppage time to play here. Mister Ranieri better not order those pizzas just yet!

Another shooting opportunity for McManaman, who gets hold of Lambert's nod-on and lets fly from the edge of the box, firing over the crossbar. Kasper Schmeichel is booked for taking his time with the resulting goalkick.

This is looking like three points for Leicester as we are into the dying seconds and they have a corner...

FULL TIME: West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Leicester City

Schmeichel pulls off a reaction stop at the death to push Rickie Lambert's last-gasp effort against the post, just seconds before the final whistle there. It's three points for Leicester, who come from behind to win in the Premier League once again.

Salomon Rondon gave the Baggies the lead, before a Riyad Mahrez double and a Jamie Vardy strike turned the match on its head. Lambert's penalty proved no more than consolation for West Brom, who end up on the wrong side of this five-goal thriller.

Here's a rundown of the other full-time results in the Premier League:

Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool
Crystal Palace 0-0 Man Utd
Man City 2-1 Norwich
Newcastle 0-0 Stoke
Swansea 0-3 Arsenal
Watford 2-0 West Ham


And that's all we have time for at The Hawthorns this afternoon, but stick with Sports Mole for all the reaction from today's Premier League fixtures. Many thanks for reading.

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Leicester manager Nigel Pearson on May 9, 2015
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