When you win promotion to the Premier League, it is often easy to think that the establishment is against you.
Assistant Referee Scott Ledger did nothing to dispel that notion here – denying Huddersfield three points they would have richly deserved by incorrectly flagging an Elias Kachunga effort offside in an entertaining draw.
The home side, looking to bounce back from a chastening Monday night defeat at West Ham, were excellent and deservedly led through full debutant Laurent Depoitre’s opener shortly after the break. It was cancelled out moments later by Jamie Vardy’s penalty, the Foxes man’s 15th goal in 18 top flight games, before Ledger took centre stage.
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy was on hand to drag his team-mates back into the game and earn a point
Huddersfield were looking to bounce back after their unbeaten start was ended by West Ham losing 2-0 on Monday night
Terriers boss David Wagner greets his opposite number Craig Shakespeare before kick-off at the John Smith’s Stadium
Foxes captain Wes Morgan received treatment on an injury suffered in the first-half but managed to continue
Video Assistant Referee technology just found an ally in West Yorkshire. Regardless, Huddersfield will remain a happy place. Before kick-off, the pubs of the nearby town centre were packed, both team coaches arrived outside to huge, applauding crowds.
The novelty of the Premier League is nowhere near wearing off. At one point the old, slightly annoying chant of ‘stand up, if you love (insert club name)’ went up and the whole of the home support in the John Smith’s Stadium rose. Even corners for both teams are noted with an exclamation mark on the scoreboard.
Their team’s task, however, was not helped by the absence of top scorer Steve Mounie, out with a heel injury. His replacement, Depoitre, was one of a number of summer signings who saw their then-record fees broken by the next arrival from the continental conveyor belt.
Riyad Mahrez was also in action following a summer transfer window to forget for the Algerian midfielder
The Terriers dominated the first-half producing nine opportunities to score, but only hit the target on one occasion
Match Facts
Huddersfield (4-2-3-1): Lossl 6; Smith 6, Schindler 6.5, Zanka 6.5, Lowe 5.5; Sabiri 6.5 (Hogg 82), Williams 7; Kachunga 6.5 (Quaner 74), Mooy 7.5, Ince 6.5; Depoitre 7.5 (Van la Parra 90)
Subs not used: Coleman, Malone, Billing, Hefele
Goals: Laurent Depoitre 46
Assists: Sabiri 46
Yellow cards: Schindler 40
Leicester City (4-4-2): Schmeichel 7; Simpson 6, Morgan 6, Maguire 5.5, Chilwell 6.5; Mahrez 5.5, Ndidi 6, King 6.5, Albrighton 5.5 (Gray 67, 6); Iheanacho 5 (Okazaki 68,), Vardy 7 (Slimani 82)
Subs not used: Hamer, Dragovic, Amartey, Iborra
Goals: Jamie Vardy 48
Yellow cards: Okazaki 79
Referee: Jon Moss
Debutant Laurent Depoitre was found brilliantly by Abdelhamid Sabiri as he scored his first Premier League goal for the Terriers. See more statistics and match facts from our Match Zone here.
Tom Ince’s effort on goal is blocked by Leicester full-back Danny Simpson as the home side were left frustrated
Depoitre, who cost around £3.5million from Porto, was excellent throughout and went close early but could only head Tom Ince’s cross straight at Kasper Schmeichel. Grafting Huddersfield, buoyed by vibrant energy from the stands, dominated the opening 30 minutes with playmaker Aaron Mooy pulling the strings.
Mooy’s nifty footwork and eye for a pass stood out, but for all of his clever endeavour, the Terriers lacked bite. Leicester finally came to life late on in the first-half.
The home side were celebrating soon after though after Laurent Depoitre’s early second-half striker gave them the lead
Premier League debutant Depoitre opens the scoring just one minute into the second-half for Huddersfield
Depoitre joined Huddersfield during the summer and appears delighted with a debut Premier League goal
Kelechi Iheanacho, Shakespeare’s statement summer signing, suffered a toe injury and had played just 17 minutes for the Foxes before making his full debut in this toughly contested stalemate. The Nigerian was given a rare sight of goal following a fortunate deflection but dallied and saw his shot blocked.
His strike partner Vardy also endured a quiet first half, although his hooked volley wide from Wilfried Ndidi’s knockdown was a reminder of how he can change a game in an instant.
Following the break, and with large sections of the crowd – including Huddersfield owner Dean Hoyle – away from their seats, the hosts went in front when the burly Depoitre rolled Harry Maguire before firing across Schmeichel and into the far corner.
A brilliant goal, although the Leicester man will not be happy with being outmuscled. Those absent punters were back in their places when the visitors equalised. There appeared to be little danger when Andy King took the ball away from Chris Lowe, but the Huddersfield left back could not resist sticking out a leg, clipping the Foxes man and sending him to the floor just inside the area.
Huddersfield continue to surprise opponents as supporters celebrate their lead over the visiting Foxes
The celebrations only lasted two minutes though as England’s Vardy converted from the penalty spot
The Terriers crumble after taking the lead as Chris Lowe brings down Foxes midfielder Andy Kind for the penalty
Vardy stepped up and, as he does, fired right down the middle for the equaliser. It was harsh, but Huddersfield dusted themselves down and got back to it.
Schmeichel had to be at his best to tip Mathias Zanka’s shot over the bar before the home side were dealt the cruelest hand when Kachunga diverted Danny Williams shot home from close range but was flagged offside. He was not. Craig Shakespeare had seen enough.
Demarai Gray was introduced for Marc Albrighton while Iheanacho, who looked off the pace, was replaced by Islam Slimani. In the 70th minute, Riyad Mahrez reminded everyone he was still a Leicester player when he drilled a low shot wide from a tight angle before following that up with an outrageous dive in the box for which he should have been booked.
At the other end, Tom Ince was inches away with a left-footed, curling drive before substitute Colin Quaner could only divert Mooy’s pinpoint cross wide from close range. With Huddersfield pressing for the winner a rare Leicester counter saw Gray go down in the area after contact with Zanka. There may well have been a riot if Jonathon Moss was anything other than unmoved.
Vardy celebrates his spot-kick and has now been involved in 15 goals in 18 Premier League appearances under Shakespeare
Ince (right) came close to snatching the points with 10 minutes to go but his shot whistled past the post
Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel coud merely scramble for the ball scrambles as Ince’s shot beats him at the far post