Claude Puel has no regrets over Jamie Vardy penalty call

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Claude Puel insisted there was no regret after Jamie Vardy had a penalty saved with his first touch after coming off the bench in a 3-1 loss to Tottenham at Wembley.

Vardy, who was dropped to the substitutes’ bench amid rumours of a bust-up with Puel, missed the chance to equalise as his spot-kick immediately after coming on was saved by Hugo Lloris just after the hour with Spurs leading 1-0.

Christian Eriksen soon doubled Tottenham’s lead and though Vardy reduced the arrears with 14 minutes left, a late Son Heung-Min goal made sure for the home side.

Leicester looked bright in the early stages at Wembley as they sought to keep up their excellent record against teams in the top-six this season but they were missing Vardy’s clinical edge in the penalty box.

Harvey Barnes twice lacked the composure to beat Lloris inside the 18-yard box as Spurs led 1-0 at the break through Davinson Sanchez’s goal.

For Puel, it was clear his team had crafted enough chances to take something from the game. “We had the feeling we can score, we had a lot of chances and opportunities to get back into the game and it’s a big disappointment in the end.

We played a good collective performance and it’s difficult to accept,” said Puel.

On Vardy, he added: “I told him if you feel you can take the penalty you can take it – it’s not a problem.”

Leicester are 2.25 to beat Crystal Palace on Saturday at the King Power Stadium. The Eagles are 3.30 while the draw is 3.40.

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