Under-23s Battle To Tottenham Draw
The Foxes could have gone ahead inside 10 minutes when Hamza Choudhury met Josh Gordon’s knock-down, but the skipper failed to convert from close range.
A big save from Max Bramley followed as the stopper raced out and spread himself well to deny Kazaiah Sterling, before Josh Knight was on hand to clear the rebound off the line.
City continued to impress and deservedly took the lead with 10 minutes of the first period to play. A fine move down the left saw Connor Wood deliver into Sam Hughes, who was on hand to head home.
After the break, Wood went close himself with a curling effort from distance, before substitute Lamine Kaba Sherif sent a fearsome drive just over the bar.
But despite the Foxes’ forward pressure, the hosts drew level with 65 minutes on the clock. Samuel Shashoua collected the ball inside the box and while Bramley did well to turn away the attacker’s first effort, he couldn’t keep out the second strike.
With just under 20 minutes to play, England Under-20s international Darnell Johnson was on hand to scramble Sterling’s strike away to safety, before Bramley kept out the Spurs striker for a second time in the game thanks to a superb stop with his legs.
Substitute Josh Eppiah went on a darting run as the full-time whistle approached, but after beating several defenders, he couldn’t direct his deflected shot past Alfie Whiteman in the Tottenham goal.
Who impressed?
After joining from Chester in the summer, Sam Hughes has played a pivotal role in the Development Squad’s excellent start to the campaign.
Initially deployed in a central midfield position against Tottenham, he dropped back into defence late in the first period following a change in formation.
Not only did he show his adaptability, but a second goal of the season makes him a significant threat from set-plays.
Major moment
Leicester’s display in the first half was nothing short of excellent. They pressed high, won second balls and carried a 1-0 advantage into the break thanks to Sam Hughes’ header.
But, for all of their defensive resilience, Steve Beaglehole’s outfit were breached with 25 minutes to play by Samuel Shashoua – a strike that ultimately settled the result.
Where do we stand?
The point, for now, sees the Foxes close the gap on third-placed Arsenal to just one point. City remain fourth in the table, with West Ham United the only side able to leapfrog them should they win their game in hand.
Coming up…
Having won five and drawn one of their previous seven games in all competitions, City continue their Premier League 2 season against Swansea City at Holmes Park on Monday 23 October (7pm kick-off).
The details…
City: Bramley, Pascanu (Eppiah 71), Knight, Johnson, Wood, Hughes, Choudhury (c), Dewsbury-Hall (Kaba Sherif 46), Muskwe, Thomas, Gordon (Ndukwu 81).
Subs not used: Iversen, Martis.
Goal: Hughes 35
Tottenham: Whiteman, Marsh, Bennetts, Skipp, Maghoma, Tanganga, Shashoua, Pritchard (Harrison 62) (c), Sterling, Edwards, Amos.
Subs not used: Loft, Austin, Roles, Tracey.
Goal: Shashoua 65
Referee: Samuel Allison