Brighton & Hove Albion welcomed the visit of Leicester City to the Amex in the Premier League looking for a fourth straight home win to bolster their relegation survival hopes.
A dominant Albion side were given the chance to take the lead through a Glenn Murray penalty in the second half, but the frontman saw his attempt saved by Kasper Schmeichel.
Chris Hughton's men were then dealt two sucker punches in the closing stages of the contest, as Vincent Iborra and Jamie Vardy both scored late to earn an unlikely victory for Claude Puel's charges.
Relive all of the action with our minute-by-minute updates below.
Good afternoon all and thanks for joining us as we bring you live coverage as the Premier League heads into the crucial stages of the season. Brighton & Hove Albion are within touching distance of safety, while Leicester City will be hoping to bolster an outside push to claim a European finish with a victory at the Amex today.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION STARTING XI: Ryan; Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Locadia, Propper, Kayal, Izquierdo; Gross; Murray
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION SUBSTITUTES: Bruno, Baldock, Hemed, Goldson, March, Krul, Suttner
LEICESTER CITY STARTING XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; Mahrez, Iborra, Ndidi, Albrighton; Okazaki, Vardy
LEICESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Gray, Iheanacho, Adrien Silva, Dragovic, Jakupovic, Fuchs, Diabate
So the good news for Brighton fans is that Gaetan Bong is fit to start at left-back despite having some recent thigh trouble, while Jurgen Locadia is able to earn his first Premier League start for Albion
Locadia is to make up part of a midfielder four that also includes Davy Propper, Beram Kayal and Jose Izquierdo, with Pascal Gross and Glenn Murray playing a little further ahead.
For the Foxes, the crucial piece of news is that Harry Maguire has overcome cramp in order to come straight back into defence alongside Wes Morgan. Shinji Okazaki also starts in attack alongside Jamie Vardy.
In midfield, the visitors have both Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton out on the flanks, while Wilfred Ndidi and Vincent Iborra take the holding roles in the middle. Kelechi Iheanacho is on the bench after breaking his hand on international duty with Nigeria, alongside Adrien Silva who is still integrating into this side after finally completing his move in January.
This afternoon's fixture perhaps is a little more crucial for Brighton, who are still fighting for survival and are not out of the woods just yet when you take into consideration just how cramped the bottom half of the table is at the moment.
Having said that, all credit must currently go to Albion boss Hughton, who has given the club more than a fighting chance of reclaiming their Premier League status after their first showing in the league since its introduction in 1992.
Brighton are now six points clear of the bottom three with eight games left in the season. The club sit in 12th position in the standings and you would expect that almost all Brighton fans would have bitten your hand off had you offered them that scenario at the start of the term.
Hughton's side have won their last three home league matches and have scored at least two goals in each of them. Those three wins on the bounce have equalled a top-flight record they last achieved in September 1982.
The Seagulls have lost just one of their last six league games, winning three and drawing two as they now find themselves pulling closer towards sealing safety from relegation. Another win at home today would surely put them on the brink of claiming survival.
Such has been Hughton's influence of late, the 59-year-old won the Premier League manager of the month award for the first time in February, after guiding his side to crucial wins over West Ham United and Swansea City. During that month, Albion also secured an important point away at Stoke City and beat Coventry City to progress into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Hughton followed that up by putting together more positive performances during March. The Seagulls have suffered defeat in their last two matches, though, after a league loss to Everton and an FA Cup defeat to Manchester United. Having said that, prior to those two games Hughton's men produced a memorable display to beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Amex.
Hughton and his charges have been able to create a wonderful atmosphere here at the Amex, where the Seagulls have only been beaten three times all season long, and those defeats came at the hands of top-six sides in the shape of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Murray has clearly been the standout performer of late. The frontman has scored six goals in his six home matches in all competitions in 2018.
That return has accounted for 38 per cent of Brighton's total of 16 goals since the turn of the new year and Murray will likely be crucial to the outcome of this afternoon's clash. Brighton will not be able to call on fan favourite Leonardo Ulloa either given that today sees the visit of his parent club to the south coast.
As for the visiting Foxes, the club's most recent 4-1 victory at West Bromwich Albion ended a run of five winless away league matches, having previously drawn one and lost four in a blip that needed arresting under coach Claude Puel.
Leicester only have the Premier League to think about for the remainder of the season as they were eliminated from the FA Cup before the international break, having suffered an extra-time defeat to Chelsea.
The Foxes are safe from relegation and are likely playing for form and confidence heading into the final games of the season. There is, however, also an outside chance that finishing seventh might just snatch a European spot for the Foxes too. Puel finished eighth in his first season in England with Southampton.
The Foxes have struggled away from home of late too. Leicester have lost four of their last six away league matches and have not been able to keep a clean sheet in their last six Premier League games either.
Mahrez has been crucial this term and his statistics perhaps illustrate why the Foxes have been so keen to keep hold of the winger despite interest from the likes of Manchester City. Mahrez has been directly involved in 18 league goals – scoring 10 and assisting eight – this term, which represents twice as many as his overall tally from last season.
Mahrez has also been involved in five goals in his last five league appearances against promoted teams, scoring three and assisting for two. The Algerian has scored against both other promoted clubs this season.
Vardy will of course be coming into the fixture with plenty of confidence following his goalscoring exploits for England against Italy during the week. The frontman will be returning to league action having also scored in four of Leicester's last five away matches in the Premier League.
These clubs have not met in Brighton since a Championship fixture over four years ago, when Albion ran out 3-1 victors against Leicester.
In fact, Leicester have not managed a victory in their last four away trips down to Brighton, where the Foxes have drawn one and lost the other three against the Seagulls.
Across their last six fixtures, Brighton have won three, drawn one and lost two against the Foxes. Five of those fixtures were in the Championship.
Leicester beat Brighton in their first match-up ever in the Premier League, however, when the Foxes won 1-0 at home last August.
Coming into the clash, Hughton is more than aware of the difficulty ahead, given that Brighton still have to face four top-six sides during the run-in: "We also have some very difficult games in our last eight. We know how difficult it can be and we have to make sure we secure our status as quick as possible. We would be no different to any one of the other 10, 11 teams around us."
As for Puel, the Frenchman has highlighted Brighton's ability to play with freedom heading into the contest: "I think they [Brighton] are secure now. They play in the position in the middle of the table. Now I think they can play with freedom and quality and just think about their play and not about being safe so they can be a dangerous team. It will be a tough game."
PREDICTION! The players are now making their way out onto the pitch and it's time to make a prediction. It will be intriguing to see how Brighton go about this - will a point be enough for them, or will they want all three given the nature of their remaining fixtures? This should be a close affair and I'm backing a tense 1-1 draw.
KICKOFF! Leicester get us moving at the Amex, featuring in all black, while Brighton are in traditional blue and white stripes.
Brighton win a free kick early on and are given the chance to lump a long back into the box, which is dealt with easily by Ndidi who is able to clear as the first man inside the box.
Albion have started with plenty of intent as Locadia looks to roll Maguire on the right wing, but the Brighton winger is penalised for being a little too rough on the centre-back.
Okazaki is able to run at Bong for the first time down the Brighton left, but the full-back matches the striker all of the way and prevents the danger by clearing for a corner. Both sides are easing themselves into proceedings here.
SHOT! Almost a nice switch of play now as Dunk brings the ball out of defence and spots Locadia running beyond Morgan. The lofted ball is a clever one and the winger can gather, but his shot is unable to test Schmeichel from a difficult angle.
Plenty of patience for Leicester as they work the ball on the edge of the Brighton box, although the hosts respond with great concentration and are able to win back the ball. The hosts seek out Locadia who wins a cheap free kick on the turn, but Brighton cannot profit from the set piece as the resulting long ball forward goes straight out for a goal kick.
The Foxes get the chance to spread the play to Albrighton in space on the left channel, although the winger turns in a poor cross that is cleared by Duffy at the near post.
Locadia looks like a real threat for Brighton, especially on the counter. This time the winger breaks into space on the left flank before cutting inside to see his shot blocked on its way to goal.
YELLOW CARD! First one of the game goes to Morgan, as the Foxes are caught short and the centre-back is forced to bring down Propper. Nothing comes of the free kick, though, as Leicester get to the first header inside their own box when Kayal lobs it forward.
CLOSE! Wonderful stuff from Brighton as Murray drops deep and turns the ball around the corner for the run of Locadia, who races into space down the right. He gets his head up and swings a delightful ball across the face of goal, where Izquierdo is just inches away from getting a vital toe to the ball.
Locadia is giving this Leicester defence absolutely no time to breath at the back. This time he races into Chilwell and almost forces Schmeichel to send his resulting kick straight into the path of Murray. Great pressure from the hosts' forward line...
Brighton have perhaps looked the more adventurous during these opening moments, but you can never write this Leicester side off on the counter. Hughton will be fairly pleased with his side's endeavour here, though.
Brighton work possession smartly on the right, where the ball is fed into Gross just short of the box. The playmaker looks to bend an inviting delivery into the middle, although Morgan gets up highest to head clear under pressure.
YELLOW CARD! Kayal sits patently and wins the ball to lead a charge away on the break from the Brighton box, but he is soon upended cynically by Ndidi, who goes straight into the referee's book.
Some promising movement from Izquierdo frees the winger up on the left and he isolates Chilwell at the back-post, although Locadia makes a meal of his run off the defender and the cross runs out for a goal kick.
Great link-up play sees Bong slip Izquierdo in behind the defence, but Maguire does brilliantly to get over and make a terrific sliding challenge to stop the winger in his tracks at the crucial moment.
Brighton are slightly turning the screw now as Schelotto comes in off the right to thread a pass into Gross. The playmaker looks for the run of Locadia off the last man, but the winger is soon flagged for offside. Poor running really, with his pace he does not need to go that early...
No chances to report on as yet. Leicester have been quiet in this first half and have offered very little quality going forward. Brighton, meanwhile, have looked like the side with a progressive plan of action as they search for a lead at home.
Brighton have sought this move out a few times today as a long ball comes from back to front in search of Locadia. Dunk's pass is too straight this time, though, allowing Schmeichel to come out and gather.
Iborra has been poor in possession today and he comes up short once more when he tries a through-ball for the run of Vardy, but the pass is nowhere near the forward and it runs tamely through to a grateful Ryan in the Brighton goal.
MISS! Brighton should be ahead... Gross bends a slide-rule pass beyond the defence for Murray to break on to. The frontman has just Schmeichel to beat, but somehow bends an effort wide of the goal frame with the Dane rushing off his line to challenge the forward.
Gross has been fantastic during his limited time on the ball today, he has the ability to change the course of a game with just a few touches. Brighton should be ahead in a half in which they have made all of the positive moves.
Again Gross tries to be the influencer, but this time Murray is flagged for offside as he tries to latch onto the midfielder's through-ball into space behind the defence.
A tight affair heads towards the end of its first half here, but Brighton will feel they should be ahead. Could that Murray miss prove costly when they come to evaluate their campaign in May?
One minute of additional time here at the Amex...
HALF TIME: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0-0 LEICESTER CITY
Hmm... Much to ponder for both sides then. That was hardly what you would call an entertaining half of football to be honest. Murray will be kicking himself for missing that chance, which could turn out to be crucial for Albion.
Brighton have been the side trying to force the issue in the final third and had they taken the lead they would likely have deserved to go into the break ahead. Puel's charges have offered nothing going forward and have so far seemed content with slowing down the pace of the game where possible.
Hughton will surely want more of the same from his charges in the second half, it has been tight but the hosts have moved the ball nicely on occasion. We'll likely see an improved Leicester after the interval, though. Puel cannot be happy with what he saw in the first period.
The players are making their way back out onto the pitch. We'll be moving again shortly...
SECOND HALF! Brighton get the second half underway!
CLOSE! Gross is given time on the edge of the box and he winds up from distance, leaving Schmeichel to make a brilliant diving save to tip the shot wide of the post and away from his top corner.
The ball drops kindly for Bong on the edge of the box, leading to cries of "shoot" from the home support. The full-back goes for a spectacular volley as the ball falls out of the air, but his effort is comedically bad and ends up somewhere in the stands.
Brighton have started brightly in this second period and it's Locadia again who is offering plenty of energy on the flanks. This time he gets a little unlucky as he has the beating of Chiwell, before being robbed of a throw-in.
Bong floats a wonderful ball down the left channel and Izquierdo is free to break down the channel. The winger breaks into the middle where he has both Murray and Gross waiting for a pass, but he selfishly tries to go it alone is eventually tackled by the retreating defence. His teammates look rather annoyed.
SUBSTITUTION: Leicester decide to change something fairly early now as Okazaki makes way for Fousseni Diabate up top.
Space is starting to open up for Brighton down the left side and it is Bong who profits on this occasion, although he cannot clear Dunk in the middle as his cross is cleared at the first time of asking.
What have Leicester got to lift themselves here? The Foxes have been well off the pace from the off and do not look like coming alive anytime soon...
Murray aims to feed of a knockdown from Propper, but Morgan shows great awareness to close the space between himself and his keeper, allowing Schmeichel to come off his line and gather.
YELLOW CARD! Simpson goes into the book now for a poor challenge on Izquierdo. The winger has a set piece in a great position 30 yards out on the left flank.
It's Gross who then decides to deliver from out wide, where Maguire makes a terrific interception to thwart Duffy and prevent him from heading towards Schmeichel's goal.
YELLOW CARD! For the first time the Foxes really look to stretch Brighton on the counter, leaving Kayal to drag down Diabate and go into the referee's book.
Chilwell makes decent progress down the left and he turns in a ball towards a moving Albrighton, but Bong does equally well to get across and put the winger off before he can really threaten.
YELLOW CARD! And another one... Finally the game is starting to open up. Schelotto scampers onto a through-ball down the right channel, where Maguire is done for pace as he slides into the right-back in a dangerous area.
Gross delivery again and his cross is a teasing one. Dunk wins the header in the centre of the box, but it goes leaping over the goal without being able to test Schmeichel.
Diabate has offered plenty of industry since his introduction and he comes in off the left to send a delivery in across the deck, leaving Duffy to put his foot through the ball and clear.
CLOSE! The Foxes are just starting to move with some fluidity. Albrighton aims his headed knockdown back towards Vardy, but Duffy is equal to it and is able to intercept.
SUBSTITUTION: Brighton make their first change now as Locadia is replaced by fan favourite Solly March.
PENALTY TO BRIGHTON!
PENALTY SAVED!
A bad day at the office then, as Murray spurns another fantastic chance when Schmeichel guesses the right way to palm away his penalty kick. It all came from the industry of March, who beat two men inside the area to play in Izquierdo, who was clumsily dragged down by Ndidi.
SUBSTITUTION: A real positive change in response from Puel, who brings on Gray to replace Albrighton.
GOAL! BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0-1 LEICESTER CITY (VINCENT IBORRA)
Where has this come from? A true killer goal from the Foxes. Chilwell is given room on the left and he cross into the middle, where Iborra drifts free of Bong to bend a header beyond a hapless Ryan. What a turnaround for the visitors!
RED CARD! It's a second yellow for Ndidi as he makes a good challenge to win the ball from Duffy. It's unlucky but Brighton do have a chance now...
March sends in the resulting delivery and he tests Schmeichel, who tips his effort over the bar in the centre of goal.
Leicester purely trying to shut up shop now at the back as we head into injury time...
Brighton are doing all they can to lump the ball forward, but nothing giving just yet.
CHANCE! A last gasp corner flies through to Bong at the back post, but he cannot adjust his feet to turn the ball home. What a miss!
GOAL! BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0-2 LEICESTER CITY (JAMIE VARDY)
That settles it then... Gray breaks free on the right and is able to cross across the face of goal, where Vardy arrives late off his marker to smash the ball home. Brutal for Brighton...
FULL TIME: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0-2 LEICESTER CITY
What a kick in the teeth for Brighton, who now have some real work to do in order to beat the drop. Leicester were rarely in this contest, but they provided the quality at the vital moments of this clash and somehow have all three points. What a tough afternoon for Murray, who passed up two huge chances. That's going to be all from me today, thanks for joining us!
Written by
Christopher Dodd
Christopher Dodd
