Depleted by a series of injuries to key players, Leicester have looked fatigued in recent weeks and fell behind after 10 minutes when Adam Lallana swept home his first Brighton goal. The Seagulls have made a habit of dominating games without making it count and once again paid for failing to build on their lead as Lallana struck the woodwork and Neal Maupay had a goal ruled out for offside.
Leicester looked lifeless for the first 45 minutes without James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, but they bounced back after the break for a first win in four games.
Youri Tielemans's brilliant pass unlocked the home defence for Kelechi Iheanacho to coolly dink home the equaliser on 62 minutes. Kasper Schmeichel then denied Lallana again with a fine save before a goalkeeping error at the other end handed Brendan Rodgers' men a vital victory. Robert Sanchez flapped at Marc Albrighton's corner and Daniel Amartey headed into the unguarded net.
Leicester now have a seven-point cushion over fifth-placed Everton as they aim to not make the same mistake as last season when they crashed out of the top four at the business end of the campaign.
A fifth game without a win leaves Brighton still just three points above the relegation zone.
In the 18:30 CET game, Aston Villa's unexpected challenge for the top four is also faltering after a 0-0 draw with Wolves left them seven points adrift of Chelsea in ninth.
Villa again lacked the creativity of injured captain Jack Grealish as it was Wolves who twice came closest to a winner through their skipper Conor Coady.
March 6, 2021