As Manchester United laboured to a second draw in four days, the Reds kept their place in the top four but slipped to third position.
Jamie Vardy did the inevitable and broke the Premier League record for scoring in consecutive matches, before Bastian Schweinsteiger’s headed home the equaliser just before half time.
The result means United have emerged through November without defeat, although that probably doesn’t seem like much of an achievement given the opposition the Reds have faced.
Here are four things we learned from today’s game:
United’s defence isn’t unbreakable
Despite controlling the game and dominating possession, United still had a few nervous moments to contend with when Leicester broke on the counter attack.
That’s where the host’s goal came from, as they broke quickly from a United corner to score. Ashley Young failed to track Vardy’s diagonal run, with the striker easily getting in behind Matteo Darmian. Michael Carrick perhaps could have done more to close down the Christian Fuch’s pass, too.
It was a disappointing goal to concede, especially given how well United have defended this term. Had Chris Smalling been back and marshalling the defence, this goal probably wouldn’t have been scored.
Threat from corners
United did actually look like scoring in this game, albeit in perhaps the least expected way one would associate with a Louis van Gaal team. That said, the Reds won a lot of headers from set-plays, and it was ultimately unsurprising that the equalising goal came from a corner.
Bastian Schweinsteiger scored a thumping header from a corner just before the break, but forced a save from Kasper Schmeichel early in the second half, too. Chris Smalling also had a chance in the first half, but couldn’t connect properly with the ball.
This new found threat could be important if United continue to struggle creating chances from open play, so it would be fantastic to carry it through into next week’s encounter with West Ham.
Herrera a huge miss
It was no shock to see United dominate possession in this game, but the midfield duo of Michael Carrick and goalscorer Schweinsteiger often lacked a speed and drive going forward.
That extra dimension in midfield is often provided by Ander Herrera, who constantly gives his teammates a passing option and plays the ball quickly. His presence today would have significantly reduced the number of times United were forced to play backwards and sideways passes, with today’s performance making it evident how important the Spaniard is in the side.
The sooner he returns from injury, the better.
Service to strikers is vital
The contrast in styles between these sides was clear before kick-off, but even more so when looking at the contrasting fortunes of each striker.
Leicester know exactly how to supply Jamie Vardy and do it effectively, playing balls behind the defence regularly for the Englishman to capitalise on. United meanwhile, with Anthony Martial, looked bereft of ideas in how to provide the service for their most threatening striker.
The Frenchman was still a threat on occasion, cutting in from the left to good affect a couple of times, but it’s essential that United find a way of supplying Martial if they are to start scoring goals more regularly.