Never write off Jamie Vardy. With only one league goal all season and his pace fading, Leicester’s greatest player looked to be approaching the end of the line.
Yet just when Leicester needed him, Vardy pounced. The second-half substitute produced a finish from his finest days and a celebration to match, goading the Leeds fans who thought Luis Sinisterra’s first-half goal would give them three precious points.
The draw leaves both teams in trouble, and does more for their relegation rivals than for either of them. Leeds face Bournemouth next, with Leicester taking on Everton.
Earlier, one-time Leicester target Jack Harrison had made the opener for Sinisterra and in the Elland Road bear pit, Leeds looked to be standing firm thanks to a display full of aggression and passion. They rode their luck, too, when Youri Tielemans’ early strike was ruled out by a narrow offside call.
But despite the late equaliser this display was exactly what Leeds supporters – who protested fiercely against the ownership in last Saturday’s defeat at Fulham – wanted to see. If they reproduce it against Bournemouth next time out, they may have more joy.
Yet how they could have done with a win. Leeds’ fixtures in May are tough while Leicester will fancy their chances at home to Everton.
Leeds had their huge moment of relief in the seventh minute when Youri Tielemans’ sweet strike from the edge of the area found the top corner, puncturing the buoyant mood inside the ground. Yet moments later, the home fans were cheering as though they had scored.
Replays showed that when James Maddison’s corner clipped Boubakary Soumare, the Leicester midfielder was in an offside position. Soumare then toed the loose ball back to Tielemans, meaning the goal did not count.
That should have galvanised Leeds but they continued to look nervous. Soumare and Maddison combined to find Kelechi Iheanacho, who released Harvey Barnes. The winger, fit again after injury, sensed a seventh goal in as many games against Leeds only for Liam Cooper to block his shot.
At the other end, neither Patrick Bamford nor Sinisterra could convert Jack Harrison’s cross from the right, and the Leeds fans anxiety moved up a notch when a sliding Maddison was inches away from volleying in Iheanacho’s cross, after Cooper had given away possession.
With Leicester looking composed and Elland Road ready to turn, Leeds suddenly found a moment of inspiration. Harrison had been easily their greatest threat and the skill he showed to beat Victor Kristiansen was matched only by the cross – a perfect delivery to the far post that eluded Timothy Castagne and presented Sinisterra with a simple far-post header. Joy and relief flooded through the stadium.
Leicester tried to answer, but Luke Ayling was doing a solid job of shackling Barnes and when the visitors won a free-kick on the corner of the box, Maddison’s delivery was poor. Given the England man had clearly dived to earn the set piece, it was probably just as well.
Moments earlier, Sinisterra had tumbled under a strong challenge from Caglar Soyuncu and had to be substituted just after the half-hour mark. Despite the cries for Wilfried Gnonto, Leeds boss Javi Gracia opted for Crysencio Summerville instead.
The temperature was rising on the pitch and in the dug-outs and when Ayling earned a booking for a thunderous challenge on Barnes, Gracia charged down the touchline, insisting his player had the won the ball.
Leicester had a different view and referee Paul Tierney had to step in to calm the pushing and shoving. Tierney was generally happy to let the game flow, to the frustration of Tielemans and Maddison who felt he was being too lenient.
Leeds should have doubled their lead early in the second half when an error by Soumare let in Rodrigo. The Whites’ top scorer delayed his shot, allowing Wout Faes to block it before it could trouble Daniel Iversen.
Leeds were adopting an ultra-physical approach and when Maddison was clattered from behind by Marc Roca, he became the third home player to go into the book.
The home side’s slender advantage meant they sat deep and it was working. Leicester had most of the ball but were struggling to penetrate Gracia’s defensive wall. Their frustration was symbolised when Tielemans, one of the best players until that point, volleyed a pass intended for Tete straight into touch.
Leicester were being handed the initiative and Leeds were relieved to see Maddison put a free-kick from a perfect position into the wall following Cooper’s trip on Iheanacho.
For all their possession, the Foxes were toothless and it was no surprise to see boss Dean Smith send on two forwards, Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka, with 20 minutes to go.
Now Leicester were playing something close to 4-2-4 with Daka and Maddison on the flanks and Vardy and Iheanacho through the middle.
Illan Meslier then made his first serious save of the match with a sharp stop from Iheanacho’s low effort.
The Frenchman denied Iheanacho again after a clever through-ball from Maddison, before another Maddison free-kick was wasted as Leeds started to glimpse the finishing line.
But then Vardy – with only one league goal this season – made his mark. Iheanacho located Maddison and the ball broke kindly to Vardy, who guided it beyond Meslier with real coolness. Vardy thought he had a second soon afterwards but was rightly adjudged offside.
Then Leeds nearly won it. First Iversen produced decisive saves from Roca and sub Brenden Aaronson, and then Bamford miskicked at the far post when two yards out – though the effort may have been ruled out for offside had it gone in.