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Tuesday, December 24
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Premier League
Nov 4, 2017 at 12.30pm UK
 
LL

2-2

Shaqiri (39'), Crouch (73')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Iborra (33'), Mahrez (60')

Live Commentary: Stoke City 2-2 Leicester City - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Stoke City 2-2 Leicester City - as it happened: ID:311085: from db_amp
Relive Sports Mole's live coverage as Stoke City twice come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Leicester City in the Premier League.

Stoke City and Leicester City have played out a 2-2 draw in their Premier League fixture at the Bet365 Stadium.

Vicente Iborra and Riyad Mahrez twice gave the Foxes the lead in Staffordshire, only for Xherdan Shaqiri and Peter Crouch to equalise for the home side.

The result sees Leicester move into the top half of the table, but Stoke remain in 14th place despite moving to four points from their last two fixtures.

Find out how all of the action unfolded in the Potteries courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.

Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Stoke City and Leicester City. Both teams have endured a below-par start to the season but have wins and clean sheets recorded last week changed things for the better? Let's see who Mark Hughes and Claude Puel have selected for today's game...
STOKE CITY XI: Butland; Zouma, Shawcross, Wimmer; Diouf, Fletcher, Allen; Pieters; Shaqiri, Ramadan; Choupo-Moting

STOKE CITY SUBSTITUTES: Grant; Berahino, Jese, Afellay, Martins Indi, Adam, Crouch

LEICESTER CITY XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Fuchs; Gray, Ndidi, Iborra, Mahrez, Okazaki; Vardy

LEICESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Hamer, Dragovic, Amartey, King, Albrighton, Iheanacho, Slimani

First of all, let's start with Stoke who have selected an unchanged starting lineup. There had been an injury doubt over skipper Ryan Shawcross, but the centre-back has recovered from a thigh injury in time to lead his side today. Kurt Zouma and Kevin Wimmer will line up either side of Shawcross.
It means that Stoke are once again operating with wing-backs, with Mame Biram Diouf and Erik Pieters lining up on the right and left respectively, and Darren Fletcher and Joe Allen taking their places in the middle. Welsh international Allen was involved in a heated confrontation with Watford's Troy Deeney last weekend so he may be looking to stay out of the headlines today.
In attack, Eric Maxim Choupu-Moting leads the line with Xherdan Shaqiri and Ramadan Sobhi featuring in support. Shaqiri, in particular, has not always been fit during his time in the Potteries, but the Swiss winger is making his 10th Premier League start of the campaign in this match.
Stoke have numerous attacking options on the bench, with Ibrahim Afellay, Jese Rodriguez, Saido Berahino and Peter Crouch all available to Hughes. Charlie Adam will also hope to get on the pitch in a bid to atone for missing an open goal at Vicarage Road last weekend.
Leicester have made just the one change from the side which began the win over Everton, with Ben Chilwell missing out through a knee injury. It means that Shinji Okazaki is handed a recall to the team. The 31-year-old would have been disappointed after being dropped last weekend given that he had previously contributed four goals from seven games in the top flight.
Okazaki is likely to play closest to Vardy, with Mahrez switching back to the wing after being used in a central position last weekend. Demarai Gray will line up on the right after his electrifying performance against the Toffees. Wilfred Ndidi and Vicente Iborra are Leicester's two central midfielders.
There are no changes at the back, with Chilwell having being used as a left midfielder last Sunday. Harry Maguire with partner Wes Morgan in the middle, with Danny Simpson and Christian Fuchs taking their usual spots at full-back.
As usual this season, Leicester are well stocked on the bench with Kelechi Iheanacho and Islam Slimani providing options in attack. However, there is only one recognised defender in Aleksandar Dragovic, the Bayer Leverkusen loanee who is still waiting to make his first outing in the Premier League.
We will start our build-up by looking at Stoke City's defence because all in all, that's probably their strongest area on paper? However, Stoke possess the second worst defensive record in the Premier League having conceded 20 goals in 10 matches. Letting in seven at Manchester City didn't really help their cause...
Another strong aspect of Stoke City is usually their home record but Hughes's side have struggled to score at the Bet365 Stadium this season. Just six goals have been netted from five games, with no more than two goals being scored in any league match.
That said, Stoke have only failed to score in two Premier League matches this season - away at Everton on the opening day and in a 4-0 defeat to Chelsea in September. They just lack that recognised number nine...
It has been well documented that Berahino is still awaiting his first Stoke goal, and it has led to the Eric Maxim Choupu Moting having to play down the middle on several occasion. The former Schalke 04 man can cause problems for any defence, but Hughes could do with investing in another striker in January. That said, maybe just use Peter Crouch, who has two goals in 132 minutes of top-flight football this season.
One player who has started to contribute goals is Mame Biram Diouf. The former Manchester United trainee has been used out wide more recently - rather than down the middle - but his return of three goals in four games has come after he required the previous 52 matches to score the same amount!
Stoke endured a tough schedule at the start of the season, but Hughes will be aware that he needs to take advantage of their upcoming fixtures. Trips to Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace follow today's match and if Stoke can register a minimum of six points, Hughes will consider that job done.
Hughes has already gone as far as saying that Stoke are "back on track". It's a bold statement after just a second win in eight games, but the Welshman will be keen on lifting the mood at the club. Before the win over Watford, there had been calls for the Stoke hierarchy to start considering a change.
Let's turn our attentions to Leicester, who head into this game having put on a show in the 2-0 win against Everton. There was a certain level of apprehension after Claude Puel's appointment, but that disappeared within the opening 30 minutes. Leicester were fantastic, and the foundations have already been laid for a positive period with the former Southampton chief in charge.
The key man from that victory was Demarai Gray, who made the most of just a second start of the season to contribute an indirect assist and net Leicester's second. It hasn't taken long for the winger to pen a new contract at the King Power Stadium after presumably being told that he has a major part to play under Puel.
Puel has been brought in as a replacement for Craig Shakespeare but don't be fooled into thinking that Leicester have had a poor start to the campaign. In the league or cup, Leicester have only lost to Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. It was hardly a disaster. There have been draws, but the Foxes have only suffered one defeat in eight games in all competitions.
They have also shown a lot of promise on the road. Arsenal were fortunate to run out 4-3 winners on the opening day of the season and since then, Leicester have only lost at Manchester United. Five points have been registered in visits to Huddersfield Town, Bournemouth and Swansea City.
One area which goes unmentioned is Leicester's defence. Vardy and Mahrez are always receiving the plaudits but just six goals have been conceded in half-a-dozen games in all competitions, with three of those coming against Liverpool. Morgan and Maguire are forming quite the partnership.
That said, we cannot go through this build-up with talking about Vardy. The 30-year-old ended a four-game goalless streak last weekend, but he has six in 10 to his name for the season. The England international remains Leicester's key man in the final third of the pitch.
We will get onto the head-to-head in a few minutes, but Leicester are unbeaten in their last three visits to the Bet365 Stadium. Given Stoke's record in Staffordshire, there are not too many teams who can say that.
PREDICTION! Can this game be anything but tight? For the most part, Stoke are strong at the Bet365 Stadium, but Leicester's recent unbeaten record sees them arrive in the Potteries with plenty of confidence. We are going to predict a 1-1 draw.
HEAD TO HEAD! Today's contest is the 100th meeting between the two sides and incredibly, there have been 33 wins for Stoke, 33 victories for Leicester and 33 draws! That's astonishing. However, it's Stoke who have had the better of this fixture in recent times, with two wins and two draws coming from the last four matches.
That said, the reverse fixture last season saw Leicester pull off quite the comeback. The Foxes were 2-0 down and a man light due to Vardy's sending off, but late goals from Ulloa and Amartey earned Claudio Ranieri's outfit an excellent point.
It's time for the two teams to make their way out in the Potteries. There's bright sunshine, which is a rarity! There's a bit of a breeze, too, and it you have ever been to the ground, you will know that it doesn't take much for it to play a part in proceedings.
A remainder of the team news...

STOKE CITY XI: Butland; Zouma, Shawcross, Wimmer; Diouf, Fletcher, Allen; Pieters; Shaqiri, Ramadan; Choupo-Moting

LEICESTER CITY XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Fuchs; Gray, Ndidi, Iborra, Mahrez, Okazaki; Vardy

KICKOFF! Stoke get us underway.
Leicester are allowing Stoke to have possession at the back without any pressure being applied. Interesting. A stray pass from Pieters goes out of play and Leicester get their first taste of the ball.
Stoke are adopting a similar approach with Leicester. There's a bank of seven players sitting deep with sporadic flurries of pressure from the front three. A very low-key start here.
We are back to possession for the home side, who aren't really making a great deal of effort to push forward. Patience being shown by both sides here.
Finally, a surge forward and it's through Vardy who has found some space down the right. He finds himself in a one-on-one battle with Wimmer and the defender is forced to concede a corner, which comes to nothing.
Stoke are making a few errors when trying to put together a more sustained move further forward. The mistakes aren't exactly forced either. Leicester remain content to sit deep.
We are still awaiting any kind of shot on goal. I thought it would be tight but not this tight. The crowd need some kind of excitement to get into this contest.
CHANCE! Gray gets the better of Zouma down the left in order to get a low cross into the box. The ball finds Vardy, but it's good defending by Wimmer who remains tight to the striker. The ball eventually rolls into the hands of Butland without Vardy getting a shot away.
Leicester's attacking players are starting to enjoy having space to run into. They must love playing against a back three and they are beginning to create a bigger threat going forward. Butland hasn't had much work to do, but the Foxes are marginally the better team.
SHOT! Shaqiri engineers a shot for himself on the edge of the box, but it's a weak effort which rolls harmlessly wide of Schmeichel's post.
It has not been the most entertaining of starts to this game, but both teams are starting to show more of a threat now. That said, I can't see there being too many goals in this contest. Both defences are loaded.
We haven't seen a whole lot of Choupo-Moting in the Stoke attack. Maguire and Morgan have done an effective job so far. Sobhi also needs to get more into the game.
SHOT! Gray wins a free kick for Leicester on the edge of the box. Mahrez wastes little time in picking up the ball. It doesn't really favour a left-footer and his effort goes straight into the wall.
This is brilliant from Gray. Zouma isn't enjoying marking him one bit. The winger's cross is directed towards the run of Okazaki at the back post but the ball is just too heavy.
We are going to have an early substitution but it's not for a player. Referee Bobby Madley has picked up a calf injury and Jon Moss is coming on in his place.
The two officials certainly aren't in a hurry to make the switch. Expect at least three minutes of added-on time.
Both teams had just started to get into a rhythm. It's probably going to take a bit of time for the game to speed up again. Leicester will be happier with the opening 25 minutes of this game.
Leicester work a fine move down the right flank but it ends when Simpson plays a simply abysmal pass to Vardy. Leicester win a throw-in but the chance is lost when Stoke clear.
CHANCE! Stoke should be ahead. Choupo-Moting finds himself in a one-on-one battle with Maguire and after creating space to get a shot away, he should score. However, his effort from 14 yards is struck too close to Schmeichel who makes the block.
The home side are starting to get on top. Stoke work another good move which ends with Pieters reaching the byline but his cross is well dealt with by Schmeichel.
Leicester break up the other end and end a corner through the industry of Mahrez. However, the resulting corner from the Algerian is easily cleared by a Stoke defender.
This has been an excellent response from Leicester. The ball is played to the left for Fuchs and his cross ends up begin misjudged by Butland. Fortunately for the goalkeeper, Wimmer is able to head behind at the back post.
GOAL! Stoke City 0-1 Leicester City (Vicente Iborra)
Leicester take the lead! It's come from that corner, which is headed back across goal by Maguire for Iborra to lash a volley into the net from eight yards out. It's the Spaniard's first goal for the Foxes.
Based on general play, Leicester probably deserve that. Stoke had created the better chance up until then, but Leicester hold the greater threat.
CHANCE! Leicester almost double their lead through the same combination! A corner from the opposite side is headed by Maguire to Iborra but on this occasion, a Stoke defender gets a block.
CHANCE! Now it's Okazaki's turn. Gray sends in the perfect cross from the left and Okazaki's header should find the back of the net. However, Butland makes a world-class save to divert the ball over the crossbar.
CHANCE! Another chance! From the opposite flank, Gray crosses for Iborra but the Spaniard sends a free header over the crossbar from 12 yards.
GOAL! Stoke City 1-1 Leicester City (Xherdan Shaqiri)
Completely against the run of play, Stoke equalise! A neat flick into the gap from Choupo-Moting sets up Shaqiri, who can bide his time before curling the ball into the far corner from inside the penalty area.
How lucky has Diouf got here! The wing-back prevents the ball from reaching Mahrez, but his attempted clearance almost finds the top corner of Butland's net!
SHOT! This has developed into a cracking match. I didn't have high hopes after the start of this game but it's basically end-to-end now. Shaqiri again gets a shot away on his left foot but on this occasion, Schmeichel is equal to his low effort from the edge of the box.
There will be four minutes of added-on time.
I think both teams have started to settle for being on level terms at the back. The tempo of this game has dropped considerably, which is not surprising!
HALF TIME: Stoke City 1-1 Leicester City
The half-time whistle goes at the Bet365 Stadium and Stoke and Leicester head into the break with a goal apiece. Iborra gave Leicester the lead and the Foxes should have extended that advantage before Shaqiri found an equaliser for the Potters. It's been a good game. More of the same in the second half please.
After a tentative opening, both teams began to grow into the game and it was Leicester who broke the deadlock through Iborra. The summer signing from Sevilla was waiting in the perfect position to volley Maguire's knockdown into the net from eight yards. Butland had no chance. It was Iborra's first goal in a Leicester shirt.
Leicester wasted numerous chances to double their lead but six minutes before the break, Stoke equalised through Shaqiri, who took advantage of the space in front of him to curl the ball into the far corner of the net. Stoke did not necessarily deserve the goal, but Hughes will be delighted that his side have been more clinical than their opponents.
Both managers would be relatively pleased with a point from this game, but there are going to be opportunities to win it. The game was becoming end to end before the half-time whistle and we expect more of the same after the restart.
The two teams have returned for the second half. There have been no chances for either side.
KICKOFF! Leicester get us back underway.
It's been a strong start from the home side who have immediately moved onto the front foot. Allen gets into a position to cross from the right, but his delivery is deflected into the hands of Schmeichel.
I'm not convinced that Zouma is suited to playing on the right side of a three-man defence. Vardy gets the better of the Chelsea loanee and his cross is just too hard for Okazaki at the back post.
SHOT! The ball is retrieved by the Foxes ad Mahrez ends up striking a swerving 30-yard shot towards goal which needs to be tipped over by Butland.
Stoke had started brightly, but it is Leicester who are starting to get on top. There are encouraging signs at the start of this second half that both teams are prepared to pick up where they left off.
CHANCE! It only feels a matter of time until Leicester regain the lead. Mahrez picks up the ball inside the penalty area and after moving the ball onto his left foot, he misses the far post by inches.
Such has been Leicester's dominance that Stoke's supporters get excited each time their side show more ambition in the final third. They are second best right now.
This is better from Stoke but there are too many fancy flicks in and around the penalty area. Allen almost got a chance in front of goal, but the ball arrived too quickly for him.
SUBSTITUTION! Leicester make their first chance with Iheanacho replacing Okazaki, who has been carrying a knock to his thigh.
CHANCE! Stoke should be 2-1 to the good! A corner from the left finds Shawcross in space around 10 yards from goal and although his header is directed towards the corner, Schmeichel makes a fine save to his right.
GOAL! Stoke City 1-2 Leicester City (Riyad Mahrez)
Just like that, Leicester go and score down the other end. Mahrez is released down the right and having got the better of Pieters before moving into the box, the Algerian drilled a show into the far corner from an acute angle.
It surely won't be long until a Stoke change. Leicester are more than happy to play on the break and the Potters could do with pushing for an equaliser with an extra man forward rather than keeping things as they are.
Iborra has been down receiving treatment for a couple of minutes and it has given Hughes a chance to reassess where his team go from here. It has to be said - Leicester look excellent under Puel.
SUBSTITUTION! Iborra is unable to continue so King is being introduced into the action.
Pieters has just played a peach of a cross into the Leicester penalty area but Diouf can't get a foot on it at the back post. Maguire may have gotten a nick on it.
SUBSTITUTION! It's time for Crouch, with the Stoke forward replacing Sobhi.
Vardy surges down the left and after breaking clear of the defence, the forward must decide whether to shoot or cross for Iheanacho. He attempts to pass to his teammate, but it's a weak effort and Stoke clear for a corner.
GOAL! Stoke City 2-2 Leicester City (Peter Crouch)
What a header from Crouch! The veteran forward runs onto a corner from Shaqiri to power the ball inside the near post from 10 yards out. The substitute had gotten the better of Fuchs in the air. Game on!
The Stoke supporters really fancy this now. They have been second best in this game but all that matters is that they remain level with 15 minutes left.
CHANCE! Leicester should be back in front. Iheanacho finds Vardy and he is left one-on-one with Shawcross. A sharp turn from the striker frees up space on his left foot but he drags his shot from 14 yards wide of the post.
This has been a really refreshing game. Since the early stages of the match, neither side have taken a backwards step. A defeat would be harsh on either team, but do not be surprised if we have a winner.
SUBSTITUTION! A second switch for Leicester sees Albrighton replace Gray.
CHANCE! A free kick from the right finds the head of Choupo-Moting, but his glancing header is never troubling Schmeichel's goal.
Back come Leicester who work an opportunity for Fuchs to cross the ball from the left. However, his delivery doesn't find Iheanacho at the back, although the forward did little to move towards the ball.
SUBSTITUTION! Berahino is going to be given a chance to score his first Stoke goal in dramatic circumstances. Diouf is the player to make way.
Leicester have the ball in the net through Iheanacho but the forward is yards offside went converting from close range. he knew it as well.
There will be four minutes of added-on time.
Stoke are having the most of possession heading into the final two minutes. There is still time for one more chance.
CHANCE! Crouch almost wins it for Stoke! It's again from a corner but Schmeichel makes a stunning save to keep out his header.
FULL TIME: Stoke City 2-2 Leicester City
The full-time whistle goes at the Bet365 Stadium and Stoke and Leicester end with a share of the spoils after a terrific contest. Leicester had the better chances, but Stoke deserve their point for twice coming from behind, and almost winning it in the final seconds. Leicester move into the top half of the standings, while Stoke remain in 14th place.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to take a look at our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.

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