LEICESTER are ahead in a crucial game in Moscow.
The Foxes could hardly have got off to a worse start after a deflected strike from Aleksandr Sobolev crept in at Kasper Schmeichel’s near post.
Henrik Larsson’s son Jordan then doubled Spartak’s lead with a goal just before the break.
But straight from kick-off Patson Daka netted again following his strike against Man Utd to reduce the deficit to one goal.
And the Zambian then levelled the match three minutes before completing his hat-trick on 54 minutes to put Leicester ahead.
74 MINS: SAVIOUR SOYUNCU
Samuel Gigot pounces on to the ball in front of the Foxes’ goal but Caglar Soyuncu is in to thump the ball clear.
LATEST: SPARTAK 2 LEICESTER 3
The Foxes seem content to try to take the sting out of Spartak’s modest revival.
They’ve definitely slowed the pace, passing the ball around more in defence.
But Leicester remain the superior team and look reasonably comfortable…(more apologies from me to Foxes’ fans for that ominous suggestion).
70 MINS: KASPER SAVES
Schmeichel keeps out sub Ignatov’s deflected shot.
And Leicester centre-back Evans soon has a couple of tricky moments – which he just about deals with.
Victor Moses then swings in a corner for Spartak that the Foxes clear.
LATEST: SPARTAK 2 LEICESTER 3
The Russians briefly push forward – helped, perhaps, by a double substitution that has lifted the home crowd.
Top scorer Quincy Promes, who hit three goals in his past three matches, replaced Zelimkhan Bakaev.
And attacking midfielder Mikhail Ignatov came on for Roman Zobnin.
67 MINS: EVANS CLOSE
Spartak just clear the ball from Jonny Evans after Maddison delivered a clever short corner.
65 MINS: LIMPING YOURI TAKEN OFF
Brendan Rodgers immediately replaces limping midfielder Youri Tielemans with Hamza Choudhury.
the game’s opened up now – with Spartak showing more urgency in pursuit of a leveller.
But Maddison and Co still look the more likely side to bag another goal.
Apologies to superstitious Foxes’ fans for making that observation…
i
HERE’S THE HAT-TRICK MOMENT
Daka’s sensational afternoon peaked (so far at least) with this hat-trick goal as Leicester came from behind to lead 3-2.
Credit: AFP NINTCHDBPICT000688042090Credit: AP THAT’S THE WAY TO TWO IT
Here’s Daka completing his hat-trick with two goals in the first three minutes of the second half.
Albrighton, who replaced Ricardo on the hour, has been busy at right-back as the Foxes maintain their fluent control.
NINTCHDBPICT000688041814Credit: EPA Credit: AP LATEST: SPARTAK 2 LEICESTER 3
Marc Albrighton comes on for the Foxes and is instantly involved.
Meanwhile, Maddison and Tielemans play keep ball to frustrate Spartak even more
WELL DONE, MY PATSON
Strike partner Iheanacho was first off the mark to congratulate Daka on his quick-fire triple.
And in fact it was Iheanacho down the right who almost teed up Daka for a FOURTH.
Iheanacho curled in a left-footed cross that Daka slid onto but put just wide.
Credit: AFP PATS AMAZING
Daka’s incredible treble (45, 48 and 54 minutes) is no less than he or Leicester deserve as they have dictated this clash, despite falling 2-0 down in Moscow.
DAKA HAT-TRICK!
Maddison and Tielemans rip the Spartak defence apart for Daka to rifle home between keeper Maksimenko’s legs on 54 minutes.
GOAL! SPARTAK 2 LEICESTER 3
51 MINS: YOURI HEADS WIDE
Daka’s doubel to put hte Foxes level hasn’t clamed their attacking desires.
And Tielemans nodded off target.
3 IN 2 GAMES FOR PATSON
Zambia frotnman Patson Daka has bagged his first three Leicester goals three goals in around 50 minutes.
The summer recruit from RB Salzburg came off the bench to round off Saturday’s 4-2 Premier League win over Manchester United in stoppage time.
And now he has struck on 45 and 48 minutes at Spartak.
Will it spark the Foxes’ second comeback win in four days?
DAKA DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR FOXES
Iheanacho’s brilliant run down the left, ending with an unselfish ball across, enables Daka to tap home in front of a defender.
There’s a VAR check – but the goal stands.
GOAL! SPARTAK 2 LEICESTER 2
BOTTOM OF THE GROUP AS IT STANDS…
Leicester and Napoli are both on just one point, as it stands.
Legia Warsaw and Spartak Moscow would have six points and the top two places – IF everything stays the same.
2ND HALF UNDER WAY: SPARTAK 2 LEICESTER 1
Spartak kick off but if the Foxes can go anywhere like matching their first-half total of chances and possession then they should be very confident of earning at least a draw.
VARD LUCK, JAMIE FANS
Russians hoping to see ex-England striker Jamie Vardy must have been disappointed to see him relegated to the bench this afternoon.
But what price a crucial intervention from the pacy poacher late on?
DAK TO THE FUTURE?
And here’s a glimpse (almost) of Daka reducing the deficit – showing again he could emerge as a huge Leicester star.
SOB STORY
Here’s a look at that Sobolev opener for Spartak.
JOR HAVING A LAUGH
Spertak could hardly believe it when they mocked Leicester’s overwhelming amount of possession by making it 2-0 through Jordan Larsson.
Credit: AFP But fortuitously Daka finished with supreme coolness to surely give the Foxes some sort of psychological edge at the interval.
Amazingly Brendan Rodgers had FOURTEEN first-half chances, compared to Spartak’s six.
Credit: AP H/T: SPARTAK 2 LEICESTER 1
The Foxes dominated possession and chances yet trail at the break.
Sobolev’s early opener for Spartak defied Leicester’s fine start.
And the Foxes could have even been in front by a couple of goals by the time they allowed Victor Moses to sneak in and tee up Larsson for Spartak’s second on 44 minutes.
Patson Daka instantly made it two goals in two games to halve the deficit and surely leave Leicester confident of a comeback in the second half.
TWO GOALS IN TWO MINS
Jordan Larsson punished dozy Foxes’ defending by doubling Spartak’s lead on 44 minuters.
But straight form the kick-off Daka pounced to make it 2-1.
And that’s how it stayed at the break – certainly an unlucky scoreline for Leicester.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
