LEICESTER, England (AP) - Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland cost his team a precious victory in its fight against relegation from the Premier League by spilling the ball into his own net in a 1-1 draw at Leicester on Saturday.
The England international failed to hold onto Marc Albrighton’s driven cross from the right, instead fumbling it sideways to gift Leicester a 70th-minute equalizer.
Butland made amends by producing an impressive double-save to deny Riyad Mahrez then Harry Maguire in quick succession, but his mistake will be better remembered.
“He is the best goalkeeper in Britain, absolutely fabulous - it will be the making of him,” Stoke manager Paul Lambert said. “You dust yourself down and pick yourself up and it’s how you react to these things. It’s not the first or last mistake he will make.”
Stoke, which went ahead in the 43rd through Xherdan Shaqiri’s third goal in as many games, missed the chance to move out of the relegation zone. It is in 19th place in the 20-team league with 10 games remaining.
Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi hit the post with a header in the 89th minute as the hosts finished strongly after a poor first half when Jamie Vardy and Mahrez, their key attackers, failed to sparkle.
“Up until their goal, we dealt with everything comfortably and they were frustrated,” Stoke midfielder Joe Allen said. “Obviously their goal gave them a boost and it flipped the game on its head.
“But to come here and get a draw, it’s not a bad point.”
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