Leicester were denied a morale-boosting win as Evan Ferguson snatched a point for Brighton with a late header in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Kaoru Mitoma cut in and curled in to fire the Seagulls into the lead, but Marc Albrighton equalized with a drive at the near post after some chaotic defending from the visitors.
The Foxes went ahead in the second half when an unmarked Barnes struck to beat Roberto Sanchez with a powerful strike from close range.
But Brighton pushed on and took home a share of the spoils as Ferguson headed home for his third league goal of the season.
Jan Paul van Hecke went close early on his Premier League debut but a light touch from the fluttering Danny Ward deflected the ball and Van Hecke eventually cleared the crossbar in the six-yard box.
Brighton soon went ahead as the electric Mitoma continued his fine recent form. The Japan international collected a pass from Pervis Estupinan and flew into the box from the left, smashing a right-footed curler into the top corner.
Dennis Praet and Adam Lallana succumbed to injury during the first half but it was Foxes substitute Albrighton who struck from the bench as the 2015/16 title winners pulled their side through.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall played for Barnes and both the winger and Youri Tielemans saw shots blocked in quick succession before falling to Albrighton, who coolly leveled just three minutes after coming off the bench for his first league goal since August 2021.
Brighton went in search of a penalty when Luke Thomas collided with Danny Welbeck, only to be denied before Solly March skied to pull Mitom back near the penalty spot.
Leicester took advantage of the run of play and took the lead. Thomas’ flick found its way to Barnes, who escaped the attention of Van Hecke to fire Brendan Rodgers’ side into the lead.
Roberto De Zerbi’s visitors almost equalized when Ward clumsily headed home Alexis Mac Allister’s long-range effort but were given little hope when Brighton substitute Ferguson equalised.
The tall Irish forward made a superb effort to Estupinan’s center and headed past Ward and off the post in the 88th minute.
James Maddison threatened to complete the stand when he stood over several free-kicks, but a fifth goal could not be found, halting Leicester’s slump and halting Brighton’s recent winning form.
Leicester player ratings
GK: Danny Ward (6); RB: Timothy Castagne (7), CB: Daniel Amartey (6), CB: Wout Faes (6), LB: Luke Thomas (6); RM: Dennis Praet (6), CM: Youri Tielemans (7), CM: Nampalys Mendy (7), LM: Harvey Barnes (7); AM: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (7); ST: Jamie Vardy (6).
SUBS: Marc Albrighton (7), James Maddison (6), Patson Daka (N/A).
Brighton player ratings
GK: Robert Sanchez (5); RB: Pascal Gross (6), CB: Jan Paul van Hecke (7), CB: Lewis Dunk (7), LB: Pervis Estupinan (8); CM: Moises Caicedo (7), CM: Alexis Mac Allister (6); RM: Solly March (7), AM: Adam Lallana (6), LM: Kaoru Mitoma (8); ST: Danny Welbeck (6).
SUBS: Joel Veltman (7), Evan Ferguson (7), Tariq Lamptey (6).
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