Leicester 2-2 West Brom: Foxes suffer title blow as Baggies frustrate Ranieri's men - 5 things we learned

The Foxes go three points clear, but will be knocked off the top if Spurs win at West Ham on Wednesday night

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Leicester's title charge was frustrated by Craig Gardner's stunning free-kick equaliser and Spurs can now go top with victory on Wednesday evening.
Claudio Ranieri's Foxes fell behind at a packed King Power Stadium to Salmon Rondon's early opener.
But they delighted their fans and boss Ranieri by recovering to lead 2-1 at the break thanks to goals from Danny Drinkwater and Andy King.
Drinkwater levelled in the 30th minute with a low deflected shot off Albion defender Jonas Olsson.
Then King rifled in on 45 minutes after Riyad Mahrez back-flicked Marc Albrighton's cross to the Welsh international.
But City were denied victory on a frustrating night when they also hit the bar twice through Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki.

Reuters / Darren Staples

So close: Jamie Vardy hit the bar for the Foxes

Albion midfielder Gardner scored with a fine right-foot free-kick in the 50th minute from 30 yards.
Leicester's draw now means Spurs have the chance to go top on goal difference with a win at West Ham.
Ranieri threw on Leonardo Ulloa and Jeffrey Schlupp off the bench in a bid to spark a late win like in their triumph over Norwich.
But Baggies keeper Ben Foster stood firm with a succession of defence saves.

1. Leicester's title hopes frustrated

Action Images via Reuters / Carl Recine

Leveller: Gardner fires home from outside the area

Ten of the past 12 teams to be top of the Premier League by the end of March 1 have gone on to win the title that season and the Foxes are in pole position but this draw means Spurs could usurp them with victory at West Ham on Wednesday.

2. Andy King deputises for N'Golo Kante

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You come at the King, you best not miss: The Welshman celebrates his strike

Claudio Ranieri ruled midfielder Kante out of this clash and Saturday's trip to Watford with a hamstring injury leaving City with the dilemma of how to replace the man who has the most interceptions in Europe but Andy King stepped up off the bench and rose to the occasion with a fine goal.

3. Repeat of recent thrillers

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50 up: Drinkwater's equaliser was their 50th goal of the campaign

Leicester had won the past two meetings with Albion both by 3-2 scorelines at The Hawthorns.
Despite previously going seven hours and 43 minutes since they last conceded at home in the Premier League, Leicester's latest clash with Albion was another edge of the seat affair.

4. Albion miss out on a hat-trick of wins

Reuters / Darren Staples

Denied: Schmeichel helped prevent an Albion win

Tony Pulis' men arrived at Leicester on the back of wins over Everton and Crystal Palace as they attempted unsuccessfully to win three Premier League games in a row for the first time since November 2012.

5. Shot-shy Baggies improve

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Do Rondon: The West Brom striker opens the scoring

Saido Berahino and Salomon Rondon continue to work on their rapport upfront in a bid to cure Albion's lack of goals. Heading into tonight's game, West Brom had attempted a division-low 82 shots on target in the Premier League this season but they were a threat again after beating Crystal Palace 3-2

Dave Kidd's player ratings

Leicester

Schmeichel 5 - Nutmegged for first goal, stationary for the second. Not at his best.
Simpson 6 - Back from suspension, solid but unspectacular.
Huth 5 - Surprsingly out-barged by Rondon for the opener.
Morgan 6 - The big man’s limited but as strong as an ox.
Fuchs 5 - Escaped punishment for a horrible tackle on Sessegnon.
Drinkwater MOM 8 - His goal was a fluke but he works hard and can’t half pick a pass.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty

On song: Danny Drinkwater netted Leicester's first

King 7 - Neat finish on return to starting line-up but lacked Kante’s dominance.
Mahrez 8 - His back-heeled assist was sublime, always adventurous.
Okazaki 7 - Lively, nagging away at Albion defence, twice went close.
Albrighton 7 - The unsung winger was superb, lovely ball leading up to Leicester’s second.
Vardy 7 - Manic acceleration tested defenders, great leap to head against bar.
Subs: Ulloa (for Okazaki, 63 mins)
Schlupp (for Albrighton, 63 mins, )

West Brom

Foster 6 - No blame for goals, otherwise fairly quiet.
Dawson 5 - Lucky not to concede a penalty against Vardy’s pace.
Olsson 6 - Won a few headers, victim of deflection for Leicester’s first.
McAuley 6 - As tough as you’d expect from a Pulis centre-half.
Chester 5 - Froze baldy in build-up to Leicester’s second.
Yacob 6 - Sat deep and did his job well enough.
Gardner 7 - Brilliant free-kick, busy in the middle of the park.

Reuters / Darren Staples

Inch-perfect: Gardner celebrates his free-kick

Fletcher 8 - A superb pass for the opener and a proper captain’s display.
Sessegnon booked 7 - Threatening on the right, lucky to escape injury from Fuchs tackle.
Rondon 7 - Great strength and timing for opener, skyed good chance later.
Berahino 5 - Very quiet night for the talked-about frontman.