Riyad Mahrez netted his fourth goal of the season to preserve Leicester City's unbeaten Barclays Premier League start in a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at a sweltering King Power Stadium.
Algeria international Mahrez was the star performer in Leicester's opening wins over Sunderland and West Ham - responsible for half of their six goals - and he provided an instant response here in the 81st minute - less than a minute after substitute Dele Alli notched his first goal for Tottenham.
Mahrez impressed throughout a game that saw a water break in each half due to soaring temperatures, after the second of which a pedestrian contest suddenly reached boiling point.
Substitute Alli got on the end of Nacer Chadli's chipped cross to convert a diving header at the back post, but Spurs switched off from the restart and Mahrez latched onto Jamie Vardy's flick-on, cut inside Jan Vertonghen and finished sublimely.
Tottenham are still without a win this season and it might have been worse for them in the 88th minute as Mahrez turned provider and Hugo Lloris saved Wes Morgan's header from point-blank range.
New signing Gokhan Inler took his place on the bench as Claudio Ranieri stuck with the Leicester XI responsible for a perfect start to the season, while Erik Lamela replaced Christian Eriksen due to a knee problem for the attacking midfielder.
Mahrez was to the fore during the opening stages against a somewhat nervy Spurs backline - Shinji Okazaki having a shot blocked after the visitors failed to deal with Ritchie De Laet's long throw.
Eric Dier netted a header in Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Stoke City last week, but could not repeat the trick on the end of Lamela's 25th-minute corner before referee Martin Atkinson halted the action for a drinks break.
Following that time to cool down, Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had his palms warmed by a Mousa Dembele drive. While at the other end Mahrez had a penalty appeal waved away by a well-placed Atkinson after a Vertonghen challenge.
Vertonghen then found himself in an advanced position down the Leicester right seven minutes into the second half, when Lamela poked his low cross wide under pressure from Morgan.
Vardy and Tottenham's Harry Kane were largely starved of service as they sought to press their claims before watching England manager Roy Hodgson. Kane crafted his own chance in the 63rd minute when he bustled into area and prodded his shot at Schmeichel.
Tottenham goalkeeper Loris was grateful to see a shot from Mahrez thud against the base of his near post and bounce to safety - the visiting defence once again unsettled by the his pace and directness.
A showpiece recruit from Napoli, Inler was granted a rousing reception when he replaced Danny Drinkwater with 10 minutes to play, but it was another substitute, Alli, who threatened to steal the headlines.
But Leicester hauled themselves from the canvas immediately as Mahrez crowned his display in fitting fashion.
"Tottenham kept possession of the ball but we created the same chances and 1-1 is the right result," Claudio Ranieri, the Leicester manager, said. "I am happy, My players have a fantastic spirit. It was an outstanding goal and Mahrez is a very good player. It is important to maintain our place in the Premier League. Seven points, 33 less, that is important for us."
"It was 50/50, a very difficult game for both teams," Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham head coach, responded. "Second half we played much better. I am disappointed with the draw. Last game against Stoke we lost a 2-0 lead and we did it again. We deserved more again but it is a shame.
"I am angry and disappointed, not frustrated. The mistake we made today is difficult to explain."
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