Claudio Ranieri remains unbeaten on his return to the Premier League after Riyad Mahrez’s equaliser increased the scrutiny on Tottenham Hotspur’s lack of firepower.
Mahrez’s wonderful strike spared Ranieri from his first defeat at Leicester City and leaves Spurs still looking for their first victory of the season.
In a thrilling final ten minutes, substitute Delle Alli had headed Spurs into the lead to threaten a surprise win but Mahrez continued his excellent start to the season with an 82nd minute leveller.
But this was another excruciating afternoon for Harry Kane, in front of Roy Hodgson, with the England international spending much of the afternoon chasing lost causes.
Spurs are targeting West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino and their need for another striker was blindingly obvious and is likely to prove pivotal to their hopes of success this season.
Kane was forced to forage on his own, at times playing almost on the wings and sometimes so deep he needed a snorkel. Spurs are expected to table a second bid for Berahino this week, after an initial £15million offer was rejected on Tuesday.
The feelgood factor continues to build for Leicester, though, and Mahrez is emerging as one of the best attacking players in the league.
Ranieri the Tinkerman? Here he named an unchanged team and Leicester were dangerous in the early stages, backed by a deafening and boisterous home support who are enjoying the ride.
Mahrez was at the heart of all their threatening moments, with Leicester quick on the counter-attack and full of energy.
Spurs did survive the pressure and Mousa Dembele drew two saves from Kasper Schmeichel with efforts from distance. But without the injured Christian Eriksen, they were devoid of creativity and ponderous going forward.
Harry Kane, who scored four goals against Leicester last season, was isolated in attack, though, and he sorely needs support with Spurs ready to make a second bid for Saido Berahino.
Kane had only one chance in an excruciating first half for the England international, running onto a huge kick from Hugo Lloris but dragging his shot wide.
Spurs were better in the second half. Erik Lamela stabbed a Jan Vertonghen cross wide and Kane finally produced some invention out of nothing, advancing into the penalty area and evading three challenges to shoot straight at Schmeichel.
Mahrez almost found the opening goal 21 minutes from time when he drilled a low shot against the post but Alli pounced from close range in the 80th minute after Nacer Chadli’s cross eluded the Leicester defence.
But just when Spurs were on course for their first win, Mahrez broke into the area and bent a shot into the far corner. Eleven years after his departure from Chelsea, when he was replaced by Jose Mourinho, Ranieri is the Happy One.
