Jamie Vardy Earns Leicester A Point Against Tottenham On Return

LONDON, Aug 20 (Bernama-PA MEDIA/dpa) -- Jamie Vardy rolled back the years to terrorise Tottenham again and earn Leicester a 1-1 draw in their Premier League opener, the German news agency (dpa) reported.

Spurs were ahead at half-time, thanks to Pedro Porro's 29th-minute header after a one-sided first 45 at King Power Stadium.

It was a different story after the break, with veteran Vardy able to punish slack away marking in the 57th-minute to earn Steve Cooper a point in his first match in charge.

A lengthy delayed occurred during the second half when Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur was stretchered off after a head injury, but despite nine minutes of stoppage-time, no winner could be found.

Newly promoted Foxes, under the management of Cooper for the first time, were boosted by the surprise return of 37-year-old Vardy, but his old partner in crime, James Maddison, received boos from sections of the home faithful.

Oliver Skipp had swapped Tottenham for Leicester hours before this opener and watched as his former teammates started strongly.

Bentancur, replacing the suspended Yves Bissouma after his laughing gas incident, had a header cleared off the line by Wilfred Ndidi before Brennan Johnson's volley was parried away by Mads Hermansen.

Spurs' new forward, Dominic Solanke, should have done better with a header soon after and sent another straight at the Leicester goalkeeper during a frantic early period.

An opening goal for Tottenham felt inevitable and it arrived with 29 minutes played.

Maddison was the architect after he cut inside and produced another dangerous delivery, which was this time flicked into the corner by right-back Porro.

Johnson flashed another effort wide before the hosts had their first shot when Guglielmo Vicario raced out to head away from Vardy, but debutant Bobby De Cordova-Reid's long-range strike sailed harmlessly wide.

After Pape Sarr got back at the start of the second half to deny De Cordova-Reid, who was subsequently flagged for offside, normal service seemed to be resumed.

Solanke's powerful effort was well saved by Hermansen, and Bentancur fired straight at the Foxes’ keeper after a slick move.

Tottenham's profligacy was punished by a familiar foe in the 57th minute.

After a ball was flashed across the Spurs goal, Abdul Fatawu cut inside and chipped in for the unmarked Vardy to head home at the back post.

It was Vardy's ninth goal against Tottenham and 137th in the Premier League, where Leicester suddenly looked like they belonged.

Ndidi smashed an effort into the side-netting before Vardy was presented with a golden chance. He raced to collect Facundo Buonanotte's pass, but Vicario made an excellent low save.

A lengthy delay followed as Bentancur received treatment for several minutes after going down from a corner and eventually left the pitch on a stretcher while receiving oxygen.

Further chances were created, but Vicario saved Ndidi's header before Spurs substitute Richarlison sent an effort over to ensure the points were shared.

-- BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa