Leicester Boss Claude Puel Claims Point Against Brighton Felt Like Win After 1-1 Draw

Leicester manager Claude Puel felt the draw with Brighton was more like a win after his side came from a goal and a man down to earn a point on the south coast. 

The Foxes went behind after Glenn Murray headed home from a corner and they then found themselves a man down too after James Maddison was shown two yellow cards in quick succession. 

Brighton & Hove Albion v Leicester City - Premier League

They managed to rescue a point when Puel introduced Jamie Vardy into the game. The former England striker changed the game for his side and scored the equaliser from the penalty spot after Kelechi Iheanacho was brought down. 

"It's like a win. Obviously it's just one point but it's one point away after a difficult situation with the sending off," Puel told ​Sky Sports.


"We conceded set pieces also and it was difficult to react but with ten men in the second half we played like 11 men.

"I think we deserved to come back in the game and perhaps to win because we dominated a lot of the second half.

"We had a good performance on the floor and quality. I like our mentality and fighting spirit in these conditions.

"It's not the first time we have conceded a goal then succeeded at coming back in the game. It's strange for the team to continue in this way.

"Of course, I have to correct some points from the first half but I am happy with the reaction from all the team and the squad. It was perfect.

"We could have won the game. We dominated a lot in the second half and we almost deserved a win for our fighting spirit and mentality."

Brighton & Hove Albion v Leicester City - Premier League

Vardy had been struggling with a groin injury ahead of the match but came on and transformed his team, showing no signs of the injury to earn the point for Puel's ​Leicester

Puel added: "Jamie could not train for two weeks. He just came back two days ago and I didn't want to take any risks with him.

"We have a lot of games, of course, in December and I wanted to preserve him for the second half with good energy."

Puel wouldn't be drawn into discussing the sending off by James Maddison as the young midfielder showed his inexperience in receiving a second yellow card for simulation just two minutes after being shown his first caution. 

Brighton & Hove Albion v Leicester City - Premier League

The Leicester boss did touch on his side's poor record this season in the ​Premier League when it comes to discipline however. 

He said: "It is our fourth sending off since the beginning of the season and that's a lot. Perhaps sometimes it's not normal from ourselves but sometimes we have some bad decisions.

"I don't know if it's a bad decision today but we have to correct this and to keep our calm, to manage our games without putting ourselves in difficulty."


    Source : 90min