Middlesbrough 0 Leicester 0: WATCH HIGHLIGHTS – Gaston Ramirez misses late chance to win it and Adama Traore denied penalty in bore draw

JAMIE VARDY, we need you.

That will be the message from Leicester players and fans after this bore draw.

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Riyad Mahrez, who along with Islam Slimani now departs for the African Nations Cup, looked a little short of ideas without the frontman.

The first flashpoint came from Adama Traore, however, who was denied an early penalty shout by ref Bobby Madley after colliding with Robert Huth.

George Friend finally ignited some home hope with a great ball into the box 61 minutes in, but no one was there to poke it home.

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He then went on a mazy run before firing wide as Leonardo Ulloa almost broke the deadlock in the 69th minute only for his header to go straight to Kasper Schmeichel.

Gaston Ramirez then put wide a late chance to win it as Leicester's wait for a first away win this season goes on.

FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS

• Both sides suffered pre-match blows due to illness and injury. Victor Valdes failed to recover from a leg knock sustained at Old Trafford and was replaced by Brad Guzan in the Boro goal – one of FIVE changes by the home side.
• Meanwhile Foxes’ matchwinner against West Ham, Islam Slimani was laid low by a virus – allowing Leonardo Ulloa to come in and partner Riyad Mahrez up front. Claudio Ranieri made five changes too as he decided to rest comeback midfielder Danny Drinkwater.
• Boro’s record against Leicester certainly wasn’t anything to shout about. Prior to kick-off they had failed to beat the Foxes in 13 attempts in the league since their last success in 2002!

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• What is it with 12.30 kick-offs, especially on a Bank Holiday Monday? Let’s just say the match was a bit of a slow-burner as both teams took a while to get up to Premier match-speed. The phrase ‘more life in a tramp’s vest,’ kept springing to mind!
• Even ‘Boro’s first penalty claim was a bit half-hearted. Adama Traore wriggled by Fuchs, Amartey and Morgan but was abruptly halted by man-mountain Robert Huth. Although Huth didn’t play the ball, it’s hard to see how he could have got out of the way either.

• At least Traore had a bit of devilment in him as he gave Christian Fuchs a torrid time down Boro’s right flank early on. The kid who didn’t have a clue at Aston Villa is flourishing under Aitor Karanka – although his decision making remains suspect. Every final ball is an adventure!
• Aitor Karanka clearly enjoys shopping in Birmingham as Villa have agreed to sell towering striker Rudy Gestede to Boro for £6million. It’s the third time Kranka has shopped at Villa Park this season after snapping up Brad Guzan on a free and Traore for £6.5million in the summer. Presumably Aitor used his Villa loyalty bonus card!

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• The day turned out to be a costly one for Boro defender Antonio Barragan. The Spaniard – just back from suspension – tweaked a hamstring, little more than half an hour in and had to be replaced by George Friend.
• If you want to catch this howler of a game on Match of the Day. Firstly, you must be MAD! But if you really must then take a tip from me. Record it, then whizz on to the closing credits and wind back 30 seconds … because that’s all this beast of a game will get!
• The only person who really emerged with any credit was George Friend. The fact Middlesbrough’s sub left-back was the most ambitious player on the park for the 56 minutes he was on, tells it’s own sorry tale!

SOCIAL SAYS

THE BIG PICTURE

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