England boss Gareth Southgate left with plenty to ponder as Demarai Gray impresses for Leicester in Stoke draw

  • Stoke came behind twice to snatch a home draw with visitors Leicester 
  • Demarai Gray is becoming a Leicester regular after signing a long-term deal
  • Gareth Southgate was in attendance for the 2-2 draw at the Bet365 Stadium
  • Harry Maguire and Jamie Vardy were also under the watchful eye of Southgate
  • While Stoke's Jack Butland's last-minute save would have impressed the boss 

Gareth Southgate went to the Bet365 Stadium to observe three of his squad in action, but will have left with much to contemplate about a potential fourth.

Jamie Vardy, Jack Butland, and Harry Maguire provided plenty for Southgate to ponder in a contest that defied expectations by igniting into an end-to-end thriller.

Of greater influence than all though was Demarai Gray, who produced another display of guile and maturity to suggest that come March's internationals he may be pushing for promotion from England Under 21s.

Demarai Gray impresses Gareth Southgate as he hassles Xherdan Shaqiri for possession

Demarai Gray impresses Gareth Southgate as he hassles Xherdan Shaqiri for possession

Southgate has shown with call-ups for Harry Winks, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Joe Gomez and Tammy Abraham – as well as Nathaniel Chalobah previously – that he is prepared to trust in youth and here was first-hand evidence of the way Gray can affect matches against defenders much more seasoned than him.


By the time he was replaced by Marc Albrighton with ten minutes remaining, Gray had expelled all his energy as Leicester's key penetrative force.

He did not play a direct role in either goal but did create five chances besides, which on another day would have yielded at least one assist.

The 21-year-old has impressed new boss Claude Puel and signed a new long-term contract

The 21-year-old has impressed new boss Claude Puel and signed a new long-term contract

Gareth Southgate watches on from the stands as he's left with decisions to ponder

Gareth Southgate watches on from the stands as he's left with decisions to ponder

The England boss was watching Jack Butland ahead of upcoming friendly with Germany

The England boss was watching Jack Butland ahead of upcoming friendly with Germany

Early on Gray beat Kurt Zouma then cut a low ball into the six-yard box which Vardy narrowly failed to reach. The 21-year-old then glided into position and stood one up for Shinji Okazaki at the far post, with the Japan striker also unable to connect.

Shortly before half-time Gray continued to torment Zouma, beating him again and picking out Okazaki, who got down well to fire in a header saved superbly by Butland. From a short corner not long after Gray found Vicente Iborra unmarked with a cross that should have resulted in a goal.

After the interval he carried the ball 60 yards down the Leicester left, then fed Riyad Mahrez with a smart pass that bisected Zouma and Darren Fletcher. Mahrez dragged his finish just wide of the far post.

Jamie Vardy retained his England spot and is pictured celebrating Riyad Mahrez's goal 

Jamie Vardy retained his England spot and is pictured celebrating Riyad Mahrez's goal 

Vardy looks lively as ever as he eludes Stoke's Joe Allen but struggles in front of goal

Vardy looks lively as ever as he eludes Stoke's Joe Allen but struggles in front of goal

These were all contributions from Gray that told of a 21-year-old improving his decision-making, which has been the biggest impediment to his status as a Foxes first-team regular so far.

Claude Puel's appointment has changed that and, with a new contract signed, the extended run he has long craved seems certain, inevitably giving Southgate more cause for thought in the coming weeks.

In Stoke, the England manager will have closely monitored Maguire, who experienced a difficult afternoon up against diverse individual opponents. Maguire was at fault for Stoke's first goal, stepping up too eagerly to press Maxim Choupo-Moting, who delivered a neat first-time flick that sent Xherdan Shaqiri clear to finish.

England's Harry Maguire also had an eventful afternoon having to handle Peter Crouch 

England's Harry Maguire also had an eventful afternoon having to handle Peter Crouch 

Maguire also lost Peter Crouch from Shaqiri's corner for Stoke's second equaliser, undone by movement from a striker who has made the same run thousands of times before.

In fairness to Maguire, he was ready to meet the challenge of Crouch when he came on as a late substitute, upsetting the locals by getting touch-tight to the 6ft 7in centre-forward at a couple of early exchanges.

Butland might possibly have done better with Mahrez's goal, although the Algerian's shot did seem to take a slight deflection. Vardy had chances to score in front of Southgate but for all his hard running and precise dovetailing with teammates couldn't find the back of the net.

His best chance came at 2-2, when he turned sharply in the box but dragged his shot wide with Butland diving the other way.

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