Leicester fail to breach solid PSV defence

Leicester City 0:0 PSV Eindhoven

City’s Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg against PSV Eindhoven ended in stalemate on Thursday night, with the Dutch side content to keep a clean sheet.

Brendan Rodgers made two changes to his side for the club’s second European quarter-final, with Ricardo and Albrighton coming in for Justin and Mendy.
PSV came racing out of the traps from the first whistle and they could have gone ahead in the second minute. Mauro Júnior lofted a ball over City’s back line where Götze had timed his run to go clear on goal. Taking a shade too long to control the ball his shot was saved by Schmeichel who spread himself well and blocked with his right hand.
At around the ten minute mark City began to get a foothold in the game and began to take the game to the visitors. Iheanacho had a shot blocked on the edge of the area, and then Dewsbury-Hall whipped a ball across the goalmouth, but Barnes couldn’t reach it.
City’s first real chance came in the 20th minute when a clearance struck Barnes and rebounded into the path of Iheanacho who was one-on-one with PSV keeper Mvogo. But his attempted lift over the keeper went well wide of the far post. A minute later Madueke sent a shot well over from a decent position.
Two well-matched sides cancelled each other out for the rest of the half. Tielemans pulled a shot wide, Castagne forced a save from Mvogo, and Maddison couldn’t get any power on a shot straight at the keeper, as PSV looked happy to play in their own half.
But City went close to taking a lead down the tunnel a minute before the break, when Barnes played a neat one-two with Iheanacho before firing his shot against the bar.

Early in the second half the 1,500 fans in the visitors’ corner were howling for a penalty when a good move down the left ended with Gakpo going down in the area after Ricardo slipped and caught his ankle. But the Slovakian referee Ivan Kružliak was unmoved.
At the other end Barnes cut in from the left and attempted a curler into the top corner but it sailed into the Kop. Dewsbury-Hall, City’s best man on the night, attempted to battle his way through the left channel but had his cross blocked. Iheanacho then sent a shot a yard wide of the right hand post.
With City struggling to find a way through a well-organised defence Brendan Rodgers made a double change in the 67th minute, bringing on Lookman and Justin for Iheanacho and Ricardo.
That didn’t improve matters and PSV were rarely troubled again as City ran out of ideas and the game drifted to a goalless conclusion.
Advantage PSV for the return leg, but the tie was still in the balance.

Brendan Rodgers commented: “We showed our resilience defensively and we’ll go there with enough hope that they’ll probably open up a bit more, which will give us a bit more space. It’s finely balanced, I thought it was a good game.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo (Justin 67), Fofana, Evans, Castagne, Maddison, Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall, Albrighton (Daka 81), Iheanacho (Lookman 67), Barnes.
Substitutes: Amartey, Choudhury, Vestergaard, Thomas, Jakupovic, Marçal-Madivadua, Braybrooke.
PSV Eindhoven: Mvogo, Mauro Júnior (Teze 90), Ramalho, Boscagli, Max, Sangaré, Götze, Veerman, Madueke (Tué Na Bangna 82), Zahavi (Doan 69), Gakpo (van Ginkel 90).
Substitutes: Alves Morais, Drommel, Romero, Delanghe, Vertessen, Ledezma.
Referee: Ivan Kružliak.

Leicester have to settle for a point at Old Trafford

Manchester United 1:1 Leicester City

City were the better side at Old Trafford on Saturday, but a VAR disallowed Maddison goal meant that they had to be content with a 1-1 draw…

Brendan Rodgers made two changes to his side, swapping his central defensive partnership of Söyüncü and Amartey for Fofana and Evans.
An uninspired first half unfolded, after City created a few early chances. A Maddison free-kick was nodded onto the roof of the net by Barnes, and then Barnes dragged a couple of shots wide of the left hand post.
In the 16th minute Elanga was tripped by Fofana on the edge of the area as he threatened to break. Fofana got a yellow card and Fernandes delivered the free-kick a yard above Maguire’s head at the far post.
Pogba then got his head to a Shaw cross, but a weak effort was comfortably gathered by Schmeichel.
The game got bogged down in midfield after that, though United should have gone ahead in the 27th minute. Fofana’s pass out from the back went directly to Fred who slipped Fernandes through clear on goal, but his low shot was blocked by the left boot of Schmeichel.
Justin and Dewsbury-Hall then combined well down the right to set up a chance for Iheanacho on the edge of the area, but his hurried shot curled well wide.
Maddison then curled a ball into the box, which Barnes met on the volley, but Dalot did just enough to put him off.
United’s lack of a press, or any discernible plan, had seen Leicester enjoy plenty of possession, but the sides went in goalless at the break, after a disappointing half.

United should have been reduced to ten men four minutes into the second half when McTominay went in late and high on Maddison, but Andre Marriner and VAR decided on a yellow card. Ten minutes later McTominay was wisely substituted for Rashford.
In the 62nd minute Barnes jinked down the left, and nutmegged Dalot, but his attempted ball across goal was blocked by Maguire. Maddison’s subsequent corner was cleared at the near post and United broke upfield. But a superb tackle and pass down the left from Dewsbury-Hall turned the tide. Maddison swung a superb ball into the area and Iheanacho met it with a diving header which de Gea could only help into the net.
It was a deserved lead for City, but it only lasted three minutes.
Amartey came on for Evans after the goal and sent a wayward back pass to Schmeichel who had to send a hurried clearance upfield. Varane got ahead of Iheancho to return the ball forward and Fred set up Fernandes, who fired a shot towards the bottom left. Schmeichel saved it, but Fred was alert to the rebound and crashed it into the roof of the net.
City responded well to this setback and should have regained the lead in the 71st minute. Iheanacho latched onto a poor back pass from Varane but his attempt to lift the ball over de Gea from a tight angle saw it looping well over the bar.
A minute later City threatened again, when Maddison launched a free-kick into the area from the right. Fofana rose above the crowd to send a header towards the top left hand corner, but de Gea managed to tip it away at full stretch.
City were dominating possession at this point and thought they’d taken an 80th minute lead. After a scramble for the ball on the edge of the area Iheanacho set up Maddison for a low shot that found a gap between de Gea and the near post. But after the celebrations had died down VAR disallowed it as Iheanacho had hooked Varane’s leg away and he had made the most of it.
A long range effort from Tielemans went straight at de Gea, before United began to apply some pressure late on. In time-added-on Choudhury and Daka replaced Mendy and Iheanacho.
City had some defending to do, though United’s best chance, from a Dalot cross, was wasted when Sancho sliced a shot well wide from a good position.
City held out for a point, which was a bit disappointing against a United side who were well off the pace.

Brendan Rodgers commented: “I’m disappointed for the players because they put in a very good performance. When you come here and play that well, their keeper makes a great save from Wesley Fofana and then obviously we had a great move for goal that was disallowed. I think it was a harsh decision.”

Man Utd: de Gea, Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw (Telles 45), McTominay (Rashford 55), Fred, Elanga, Pogba (Matic 75), Sancho, Bruno Fernandes.
Substitutes: Lindelöf, Jones, Mata, Lingard, Henderson, Wan-Bissaka.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Justin, Fofana, Evans (Amartey 64), Castagne, Tielemans, Mendy (Choudhury 90), Maddison, Dewsbury-Hall, Barnes, Iheanacho (Daka 90).
Substitutes: Söyüncü, Albrighton, Pérez, Ricardo, Jakupovic, Lookman.
Referee: Andre Marriner. Attendance: 73,444.

Bees stung by two great Leicester strikes

Leicester City 2:1 Brentford

Two superb first half goals from Castagne and Maddison were enough to defeat Brentford at the KPS on Sunday…

Brendan Rodgers made four changes to his side with Castagne back in the side for the first time in 2022 after a thigh operation, and Söyüncü, Mendy and Maddison back in the starting XI. Evans was named in the squad for the first time in over three months.
Brentford were happy to sit back in the early stages and City had plenty of possession but were faced with a yellow wall. Maddison screwed a low shot wide in the 6th minute.
Brentford occasionally broke upfield but Söyüncü and Amartey were solid against Toney and Mbeumo.
Having failed to pass through a crowded Bees defence, City went ahead through another route in the 20th minute. Barnes, on the left, laid a ball back to Castagne on the edge of the area and he took a touch before launching a rocket into the top right hand corner. Like Fofana on Thursday he had announced his comeback with a goal and he looked absolutely delighted.
The visitors were almost level two minutes later, when Wissa’s cross from the left was met with a fierce strike from Jensen, but it was directed straight at Schmeichel’s chest.
In the spring sunshine, City extended their lead in the 33rd minute, a goal all of Maddison’s making.
Having bought a foul off Jensen 25 yards out, he lined up the free-kick and delivered it over the wall and into the top left hand corner. The Brentford wall didn’t jump, possibly put off by City’s dummy wall of three in front of them.
City almost wrapped the game up in the 38th minute when Dewsbury-Hall battled to win the ball in midfield and then strode towards goal, but his low shot missed the right hand post by inches.
Just before the break Iheanacho set up Justin down the right channel but Raya blocked his shot at the near post.

If City had dominated the first half Brentford gradually got themselves into the game in what was to become a less comfortable afternoon. City had early chances to wrap things up, but Maddison sent a curling effort too close to Raya and then Iheanacho, after a brilliant turn and run, sent his attempted lift over the keeper drifting wide of the right hand post.
Brentford then applied a spell of pressure. Jansson had a shot deflected wide by Tielemans and although the resulting corner was half-cleared, the Bees recycled and a cross from Ajer found the head of Jansson at the far post. But his header was tipped over by Schmeichel.
Brentford went close again on the hour when a precise cross from Toney found the head of Mbeumo, but from point blank range his effort was too close to Schmeichel who stuck out a hand to deny him.
With City looking a little weary at this point Brendan Rodgers made his first change, with huge applause for both Castagne, as he left the field, and Evans as he replaced him.
Brentford continued to push forward and Toney sent a header off-target before Rodgers made another change, bringing Soumaré on for Dewsbury-Hall, who had picked up a booking.
But any chance of a stress-free ending to the game disappeared when Brentford finally broke through in the 85th minute. A stray pass from Amartey led to Wissa getting possession on the edge of the area and he made room for himself before dispatching a low shot into the bottom right hand corner.
But Schmeichel wasn’t tested by late efforts from Fosu-Henry and Mbuemo and City held out for a win that propelled them into the top half.
Brendan Rodgers commented on those Goal of the Season contenders: “They were both great goals. Tim’s was an excellent finish, he gets up there and he has a good strike on him. I’m delighted for him because he’s had a tough season. James, I almost expect it from him, his quality is so high. and in those situations he’s done brilliantly for us.”.

Leicester: Schmeichel, Justin, Amartey, Söyüncü, Castagne (Evans 64), Tielemans, Mendy, Maddison, Dewsbury-Hall (Soumaré 79), Barnes, Iheanacho (Daka 86).
Substitutes: Pérez, Choudhury, Ricardo, Vestergaard, Thomas, Jakupovic.
Brentford: Raya, Ajer (Roerslev 66), Jansson, Pinnock, Henry (Fosu-Henry 74), Mbeumo, Jensen, Nørgaard, Janelt (Baptiste 56), Wissa, Toney.
Substitutes: Canós, Onyeka, M Jorgensen, Bech Sørensen, Fernández, Young-Coombes.
Referee: Darren England. Attendance: 31,830.

Fofana comeback goal sends Leicester into the Conference quarter-finals

Stade Rennais 2:1 Leicester City

After a seven month injury lay off, Wesley Fofana scored the goal that earned 3-2 aggregate victory over Rennes sending City into the last-eight of the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday night.

Brendan Rodgers made four changes to his side for this trip to Brittany, with the return of Fofana and Justin, Tielemans and Ndidi brought back into the starting XI.
The game kicked-off with the Roazhon Park stadium a cauldron of noise, and Rennes producing the same high-octane game they had displayed at the King Power Stadium.
As Rennes piled on the pressure, City’s two goal lead in the tie was halved in the 8th minute. Terrier thumped in a low cross from the left and Bourigeaud turned it home from close in.
This turned the volume up still further and Rennes continued to press.
Brendan Rodgers was forced into a change in the 12th minute when Albrighton limped off, replaced by Lookman.
Rennes relentless attacking did leave them open to the odd counter attack and a decent chance went begging in the 14th minute. Dewsbury-Hall robbed a defender and Iheanacho took the ball forward, feeding Barnes down the left channel. His shot was blocked, but the rebound wouldn’t sit down for Iheanacho and the attack was crowded out.
The game slowed a little and although the hosts still had most of the possession, City had more chances.
A fine pass from Tielemans almost sent Iheanacho through but the stand-in keeper Alemdar won the race for the ball. Lookman then saw a shot deflected wide by Bourigeaud, but Tielemans fired a shot well over from the resulting corner.
City managed to keep Rennes at bay for the remainder of the half and still held that aggregate lead at the break.

City started the second half on the front foot and went close in the 49th minute. A corner from the right was met by the head of Amartey just three yards out, but Alemdar managed to block with a combination of elbow and knee. A minute later City restored their two goal lead from another corner. Lookman delivered a good corner from the left and Fofana rose to glance a header across Alemdar and in at the far post. There were gleeful celebrations for a player who’d had to sit the season out until now.
The noise from the home fans did not relent and Rennes became more frantic in their efforts as City defended a two-goal cushion. Brendan Rodgers had to make another change on the hour when Ndidi won a vital, bone-crunching 50:50 challenge with Laborde in the area. But after limping for a few minutes he had to be replaced by Maddison.
It was a even game now and Iheanacho had a goal chalked off for offside, but then Rennes went ahead on the night with fifteen minutes remaining. Truffert darted between Lookman and Justin down the left, cutting the ball back for Guirassy who teed up Tait just inside the area. His low shot took a deflection that was enough to send it rolling in at the far corner.
The noise managed to raise up a further few notches as City faced a fraught climax to a thrilling game.
Rodgers brought Vestergaard on for Fofana and then Ricardo for Lookman as City faced wave after wave of attacks. They also had their moments and as City broke upfield Barnes fired a shot into the side-netting. In the 84th minute Rennes passed their way into the City six yard box but Schmeichel spread himself well to pull off a fantastic block to deny Guirassy, with the ball looping up narrowly over the bar.
As the game entered six minute of time added on Santamaria sent a low shot inches wide, then Vestergaard headed a cross clear and blocked another shot. Each ball into Schmeichel’s area was met with a City boot upfield and things were getting fractious (there had been eight bookings) with time running out for the French side.
Their last chance came seconds before full-time when a free kick was pumped into the box. Barnes got his head to the ball but it brushed Dewsbury-Hall’s arm as it dropped. Despite a huge roar from the home crowd there was no VAR to give a penalty and the ref blew for time. A shoving match ensued before the City players could disentangle themselves and go and applaud the 1,100 City fans celebrating in the corner.

It had been a testing night, and City had passed.
Brendan Rodgers commented: “Our football in the game, especially in the first half, was nowhere near what I would expect. What we did show tonight was real character, especially with players missing and lots of young players tasting this level for the first time. It’s character building for them. We had to show resilience. You can see they’re a good side, Rennes, so to get through is a fantastic feeling. We knew they were going to make a fast start and come after us. They got the early goal as well, but we showed a good mentality, a good concentration level.”

Rennes: Alemdar, Traoré, Omari, Aguerd, Truffert (Meling 76), Majer, Martin (Taitat 58), Santamaría, Bourigeaud, Laborde (Tchaouna 76), Terrier (Guirassy 68).
Substitutes: Diouf, Assignon, Ugochukwu, Bonet, Tel, Belocian, Damergy.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Justin, Amartey, Fofana (Vestergaard 78), Thomas, Tielemans, Ndidi (Maddison 60), Dewsbury-Hall, Albrighton (Lookman 12) (Ricardo 79), Iheanacho, Barnes.
Substitutes: Pérez, Choudhury, Jakupovic, Odunze.
Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos.

Leicester brushed aside by Arsenal

Arsenal 2:0 Leicester City

A flat looking City never really got going as Arsenal beat them 2-0 at the Emirates on Sunday, with a goal from a corner undoing them again.

Brendan Rodgers made four changes to his side, bringing in Ricardo, Mendy, Maddison and Iheanacho with Tielemans on the bench. The City players wore black armbands in honour of former managers Frank O’Farrell and Gordon Lee, who both passed away last week.
After an opening spell of cautious probing from Arsenal, they took an 11th minute lead and it was a familiar route through City’s defence. Martinelli delivered a corner to the near post and Partey rose unchallenged to nod it home from close range.
Partey almost added a second six minutes later, following some pinball round City’s area he connected with a loose ball from the edge of the area sending a curling effort against the woodwork.
With Ødegaard pulling the strings, Arsenal were pouring forward time and again. Saka went over in the box, but referee Anthony Taylor waved away the appeals, then Martinelli fired a shot straight at Schmeichel.
City managed to get a foothold for the last twenty minutes of the half. Barnes got in down the left but couldn’t beat Ramsdale from a tight angle. Then Maddison had the ball in a dangerous position but was blocked by White as he tried to make room for a shot.
City’s best chance of the game came in the 35th minute when Albrighton chipped a ball into the area and Barnes met it with a solid header. However, Ramsdale threw himself to his right to tip it away.
City had all the possession now, and Söyüncü got on the end of a Maddison delivery, but side-footed over the bar.
Although they had finished the half strongly, City went down the tunnel a goal down.

City couldn’t carry that momentum into the second half and they were soon under the cosh.
Martinelli beat Ricardo down the right, and cut a ball back into the area where Lacazette’s shot was blocked. The ball was recycled to Saka but his effort was punched clear by Schmeichel.
City went further behind in the 58th minute. Ødegaard delivered a free kick from the left and a goalmouth scramble saw White’s half volley well saved by Schmichel, before Partey nodded the rebound goalwards. Thomas cleared off the line but not before Söyüncü had stuck out an arm and brushed the ball with his fingertips. After a full three minutes of VAR forensics, Anthony Taylor had a look and pointed to the spot. Söyüncü received a yellow card and Lacazette fired his spot-kick into the top left hand corner.
Brendan Rodgers responded with a double substitution, bringing on Justin and Ndidi for Ricardo and Mendy. City attempted to get themselves back in the game, Barnes and Iheanacho combining well in the area, but Barnes was blocked by Tierney as he was about to pull the trigger.
Arsenal then dominated possession for the rest of the game, with City chasing shadows and unable to create anything going forward. The game was over long before the final whistle.

Brendan Rodgers wasn’t happy with the penalty decision: “We’ve seen a lot of decisions, I don’t like to go on about referees, I know it’s a really difficult job and we try to respect what they do, but there is a lot of inconsistency in it and some of the decisions of course end up costing you.”
But that was only half the story as City continue to be the Premier League’s worst side at defending corners.

Arsenal: Ramsdale, Cédric Soares, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Saka (Pépé 85), Ødegaard, Martinelli (Smith Rowe 78), Lacazette (Nketiah 88).
Substitutes: Leno, Holding, Tavares, Sambi Lokonga, Elneny, Swanson.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo (Justin 61), Amartey, Söyüncü, Thomas, Mendy (Ndidi 61) Dewsbury-Hall, Albrighton, Maddison, Barnes, Iheanacho (Daka 74).
Substitutes: Tielemans, Pérez, Choudhury, Vestergaard, Jakupovic, Lookman.
Referee: Anthony Taylor. Attendance: 60,111.

Leicester take two goal lead to Rennes

Leicester City 2:0 Stade Rennais

City doubled their advantage in time-added-on against Rennes at the KPS on Thursday night, with a late Iheancho strike adding to Albrighton’s superb opener, in this Europa Conference League Round of 16 first leg.

Brendan Rodgers made two changes to his side bringing in Justin and Daka for Choudhury and Vardy.
Rennes pressed hard from the kick off and City were trapped in their own half for the opening 20 minutes. The visitors first chance came in the 5th minute when Laborde met a cross from the left but screwed his volley narrowly wide of the right hand post.
City’s defence were having to work hard to counter Rennes swift passing moves and in the 20th minute Bourigeaud flashed a ball across the goalmouth but no one was on hand to profit.
City began to turn the tide, having previously only had two long balls to Daka in the opposition half, the first chance came in the 29th minute when Ndidi glanced a header wide from a Dewsbury-Hall corner.
They then took the lead on the half hour. Söyüncü sent a long ball to Barnes down the left and he raced past his marker before cutting a ball back to the edge of the area. Albrighton smashed it into the roof of the net with a superb first time effort.
This goal knocked the wind out of Rennes’ sails and they didn’t look the same team, though Martin ballooned a shot over the bar from a good position in first half injury time.

Rennes had the first chance of the second half when a free-kick from the left took a couple of deflections in the goalmouth, and the Rennes players made big appeals for handball after Söyüncü blocked Aguerd’s effort.
But it was City who were creating more chances, Dewsbury-Hall forced a save from Gomis with a low shot, and Tielemans had what looked like a goal-bound drive blocked by Aguerd. Dewsbury-Hall then sent a free-kick from a dangerous position over the bar.
Brendan Rodgers made a double-change in the 62nd minute bringing on Choudhury for Justin and Iheanacho on for Daka.
Rennes then had a good spell and Terrier was denied when Schmeichel stuck out a boot to block his low shot. Tair then curled an effort narrowly wide.
Rodgers made two more changes in the 80th minute with Barnes and Dewsbury-Hall replaced with Lookman and Maddison.
In the closing stages it looked as though City were content to take a 1-0 lead to France, but another goal in time-added-on put a different complexion on the tie.
As Rennes pressed forward, Lookman robbed Majer of the ball and City broke upfield. Tielemans sent Albrighton in the down the right and he cut the ball back to Iheanacho who sent a calm side-footed effort beyond Gomis and in at the far post.
This was greeted by a huge roar from the home crowd, who knew that it could have a significant impact on the tie.

It had been a gritty performance against a side riding high in Ligue 1 and Brendan Rodgers was delighted: “I think you can see Rennes are a very good side. They made a better start, were quicker to the ball, and we were giving it away too cheaply. But we worked our way into the game, and I think once we got the first goal, which was an outstanding goal, then it gave us real confidence in the game. Collectively we worked very hard, and we scored two outstanding goals.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, Justin (Choudhury 62), Amartey, Söyüncü, Thomas, Tielemans, Ndidi, Dewsbury-Hall (Maddison 80), Albrighton, Daka (Iheanacho 62), Barnes (Lookman 80).
Substitutes: Pérez, Vestergaard, Jakupovic, Soumaré, Odunze.
Rennes: Gomis, Traoré, Omari, Aguerd, Truffert (Meling 77), Bourigeaud, Martin (Majer 64), Santamaría, Doku (Tait 64), Laborde (Guirassy 77), Terrier.
Substitutes: Tchaouna, Diouf, Assignon, Bonet, Tel, Alemdar, Belocian, Doué.
Referee: Orel Grinfeeld.

Schmeichel shut out gives Leicester the edge over Leeds

Leicester City 1:0 Leeds United

City had to battle hard for the three points against Leeds on Saturday, but a Barnes goal and some fine saves from Schmeichel ensured a losing start for Jesse Marsch.

Brendan Rodgers made two changes to the side that won at Burnley, bringing in Vardy and Choudhury for Ricardo and Daka.
Before kick off there was an enthusiastic minute’s applause in support of Ukraine.
The opening spell of the game saw some frantic end-to-end play. In the second minute James burst through the right channel and fired a low shot across goal that Schmeichel got a slight touch to and it rolled wide of the far post. At the other end, Barnes sent a shot too close to Meslier to seriously test him. James then raced down the middle and played Harrison in on the the right, but Schmeichel stuck out a leg to block his fierce low shot.
As the half progressed City were being smothered by Leeds’ intensity and any player in possession immediately had a white shirt bearing down on him. They were unable to create anything going forward. When they did try and break through, Leeds made good use of the tactical foul, for which only Struijk was shown a yellow for flattening Vardy.
Leeds pressed forward towards the break and a cross/shot from the left was blocked by Amartey. The rebound fell for Firpo, but this time it was Söyüncü who got in the way of his well-struck effort.
Just before the break City had a chance from a corner but Ndidi sent his header straight at Meslier. Although the Leeds keeper fumbled he managed to snatch the ball off Söyüncü’s toe as he followed up, and the sides went in goalless at the break.

Leeds’ control of the midfield continued after the break and the chances mounted up. Raphinha set up Harrison for a long-range effort but Amartey blocked. From the resulting corner Rodrigo’s glancing header was parried away from the near post by Schmeichel.
On the hour, a low cross from Firpo made it through to Raphinha just three yards out but Schmeichel spread himself to deny the Brazilian from point-blank range.
Something had to change with Leeds bossing the game and Brendan Rodgers made a double substitution in the 61st minute, bringing on Lookman and Iheanacho for Choudhury and Vardy.
This soon paid dividends with City taking a 67th minute lead. Tielemans fed Barnes on the left and he played a give and go with Iheanacho before sending a low shot across Meslier and in at the far post.
This was a big blow to Leeds, who ran out of steam after going behind and it was a more even game in the closing stages. Mendy came on for Ndidi, who was on a yellow card.
City, driven on by Dewsbury-Hall had the upper hand in the closing stages. Barnes and Lookman both had shots blocked, and Tielemans sent a shot straight at Meslier.

City had carved out a win from a game in which they had been second best for along periods, thanks to Schmeichel’s heroics and some brilliance from Barnes. Back to back victories made the Premier League table a lot happier viewing.
Brendan Rodgers summed up: “At times we looked a real threat. Always a chaotic game against Leeds because of the energy, very much end to end, less control. We had a moment of quality and Harvey scored a brilliant goal, showing a lot more resilience not to concede. Very good victory for us.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, Choudhury (Lookman 61), Amartey, Söyüncü, Thomas, Tielemans, Ndidi (Mendy 76), Dewsbury-Hall, Albrighton, Vardy (Iheanacho 61), Barnes.
Substitutes: Ward, Pérez, Vestergaard, Daka, Soumaré, Brunt.
Leeds: Meslier, Dallas, Ayling, Struijk, Firpo, Klich (Forshaw 70), Koch, Raphinha, Rodrigo (Gelhardt 63), Harrison (Roberts 76), James.
Substitutes: Bamford, Klaesson, Cresswell, Summerville, Greenwood, Shackleton.
Referee: David Coote. Attendance: 32,236.

Leicester subs sink Burnley with late goals

Burnley 0:2 Leicester City

City claimed their first Premier League win of 2022 with a fine performance at Turf Moor on Tuesday night, with goals from substitutes Maddison and Vardy securing a 2-0 victory late in the game.

Brendan Rodgers made four changes with Ricardo, Söyüncü, Dewsbury-Hall and Daka returning to the side.
City started the game on the front foot, with Tielemans and Ndidi both firing off target early on. Then Ricardo made his way into a crowded area and found room for a low shot that forced a fine save from Pope who got down swiftly to tip it away. A Söyüncü effort was blocked from the resulting corner.
Tarkowski then ducked out of a header, unaware that Daka was behind him, but Pope denied City again blocking the shot from close range.
For all City’s early possession it was Burnley who had the ball in the net in the 21st minute. Lennon beat Thomas down the right and his low cross was swept home by Cornet at the far post, but VAR judged him to be a boot-length offside.
It was a more even game at this stage and Tarkowski sent a header narrowly wide on the half hour. At the other end Barnes raced down the left, cut inside and hit a fierce shot from 12 yards, but Pope stuck out a fist to send it over the bar. A scramble in the Burnley box then saw Barnes denied again with Taylor throwing himself in the way of the shot.
City had been the better side, but the sides went in goalless at the break.

Brendan Rodgers made a change for the second half, bringing on Lookman for Ricardo, with Albrighton going to right back.
The action was end to end, with Schmeichel having to punch away a Roberts cross, while Dewsbury-Hall had a shot blocked by Collins. Cornet sent an effort wide, while Söyüncü and Amartey were both performing well to keep the Clarets out.
Brendan Rodgers made a double change in the 72nd minute, bringing on Maddison for Tielemans, and Vardy – in his first appearance in two months – for Daka. This proved to be a winning move.
Amartey put in a superb tackle to halt Lennon and from the ensuing break Vardy attempted an ambitious overhead kick that flew well over the bar.
Barnes then cut in from the left and launched a shot across goal that saw another fine save from Pope.
But the Burnley keeper was finally beaten in the 82nd minute. An under-hit back pass from Albrighton saw a race between Schmeichel and Rodriguez for the ball and the City keeper won it, launching the ball upfield. It reached Vardy just outside the Burnley area and he teed up Maddison who strode forward before curling a shot into the bottom left hand corner.
The celebrations had barely died down when Burnley almost equalised, a corner from the left reached Weghorst at the far post but he sent it wide at full stretch.
But the prospect of a nerve-shredding finale was dispelled when City doubled their lead in the 90th minute. Barnes got in behind the Burnley defence down the left and delivered a precise cross for Vardy to nod home at the far post. 2,000 City fans behind the goal celebrated Vardy’s return and a priceless three points.

Brendan Rodgers commented on his subs: “James scored a brilliant goal and then you could see the confidence from it. Then Vardy was there and did what Vardy does best. He is a real catalyst for the team. You see his energy. He makes runs and presses and is normally in the right areas to score. He is a huge boost for us. To have that quality and mentality back in the team will help us.”

Burnley: Pope, Roberts, Tarkowski, Mee (Collins 40), Taylor, Lennon, Westwood (Barnes 88), Brownhill, McNeil, Weghorst, Cornet (Rodriguez 71).
Substitutes: Lowton, Cork, Hennessey, Bardsley, Long, Richardson.
Leicester : Schmeichel, Ricardo (Lookman 45), Amartey, Söyüncü, Thomas, Tielemans (Maddison 72), Ndidi, Dewsbury-Hall, Albrighton, Daka (Vardy 72), Barnes.
Substitutes: Ward, Iheanacho, Pérez, Choudhury, Vestergaard, Mendy
Referee: Chris Kavanagh.

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Leicester finish the job in Randers

Randers FC 1:3 Leicester City

It was a stuttering performance from City in Randers on Thursday night, but they did more than enough to progress into the last 16 of the Europa Conference League, winning 7-2 on aggregate.

Brendan Rodgers took no chances with his line-up bringing Vestergaard, Maddison, Barnes and Iheanacho into a strong side.
City had a three-goal cushion from the first leg and that was increased to four in the second minute.
Barnes found himself with plenty of room down the right, and went on a 50 yard run before curling the ball round Carlgren for a fine finish.
That was effectively game over and the 620 City fans in the away corner partied for the rest of the evening.
A scrappy game unfolded with passes going astray from both sides, but it was the Danes who were creating the chances. A sliding tackle from Tielemans succeeded only in launching a Randers counter, but blocks from Thomas and Schmeichel smothered the danger.
Kallesøe then side-footed a shot inches wide and Kopplin missed the target with a header.
Hammershøy-Mistrati then sent a shot across goal narrowly wide of the post.
Just before the break Maddison gave the ball away 20 yards out and Johnsen lobbed a ball over the defence to Piesinger who blazed the ball over the bar from 10 yards.

City knew the game was won and were playing in third gear, as Randers went close again two minutes into the second half. A low cross from the right was met by Odey in the middle, but Schmeichel produced a fine save to tip over the bar. From the resulting corner Odey had another crack at goal, but Thomas blocked on the line.
Brendan Rodgers made a triple substitution on the hour, bringing on Choudhury, Boubakary Soumaré and Pérez and City began to up their game.
Maddison beat two men down the left and cut in, but opted to shoot with Pérez unmarked in the goalmouth. Carlgren blocked his effort at the near post.
Odey wasted another chance, side-footing well wide, before City extended their lead in the 70th minute.
Iheanacho was fouled 25 yards out and Maddison stepped up to deliver a perfect free-kick over the wall and into the top left hand corner.
Four minutes later City made it 7-1 on aggregate. A 16 pass move ended with Maddison curling an unstoppable 22-yarder into the top right hand corner which Carlgren could only watch into the net.
Randers continued to press forward in search of that elusive goal and Schmeichel did well to beat away a close range shot from Bundgaard, Amartey then blocked Odey’s attempt from the rebound.
The Danes finally got the ball in the net in the 84th minute. A backpass to Schmeichel hit a bump and bounced over his foot allowing Odey to poach a consolation goal.
It hadn’t been a great performance but the 7-2 scoreline over two legs told the story.
City’s early goal killed the game off, and Randers wasted too many chances to make things interesting.

Brendan Rodgers praised Maddison and the travelling fans: “From a dead-ball situation, it was a very good goal. He scores goals of incredible quality and showed that. Two wonderful finishes, different sides so the goalkeeper was unsure where he was going to go. You are in the competition so you want to go as far as you can. For the supporters to come out here, they were non-stop singing. It was cold and without their tops on, they pushed the team through to the end.”

Randers: Carlgren, Kallesøe (Bundgaard 61), Piesinger, Graves (Andersson 61), Kopplin, Ankersen (Tibbling 76), Johnsen, Lauenborg (Bundgaard 68), Kehinde, Odey, Hammershøy-Mistrati (Klysner 77).
Substitutes: Andersson, Enggård, Lauridsen, Nybo, Dakir, Jensen, Brock-Madsen.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Albrighton (Choudhury 60), Amartey, Vestergaard, Thomas, Tielemans (Soumaré 60), Ndidi, Maddison, Lookman, Iheanacho, Barnes (Pérez 60).
Substitutes: Söyüncü, Ward, Dewsbury-Hall, Daka, Jakupovic.
Referee: Irfan Peljto.

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No reward for Leicester at Wolves

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2:1 Leicester City

A good performance from City was undone by an inability to put their chances away on Sunday at Molineux…

Brendan Rodgers made two changes to his side for this trip to a rain swept Molineux, with Thomas and Ricardo coming in for Vestergaard and Barnes.
City created the first chance of the game in the 4th minute when Söyüncü played a long pass down the left and Lookman cut in before teeing up Tielemans for a great chance which he sent tamely wide of the left hand post. But it was the home side who took a 9th minute lead.
A Podence cross from the right was half-cleared by Amartey, and Jiménez was first to the loose ball laying it back to Neves who connected well with a shot from the edge of the area that beat Schmeichel with its pace and precision.
City reacted well to this early setback, dominating possession and creating chances. A flowing move down the right saw Albrighton’s low cross missed by Sa, but just cleared by Coady with Daka waiting to pounce.
Sa then parried a fierce shot from Tielemans with Lookman inches away from getting to the rebound. Daka was the next to try his luck with a shot but Sa saved again.
Wolves, who had shown little since their goal, then came into the game more and City nervily defended a series of corners. The lively Podence then turned Tielemans inside out on the left before cutting back for Aït-Nouri who curled his shot wide of the left hand post from a good position.
But City kept pressing forward and found an equaliser in the 41st minute following a great move.
Tielemans threaded a ball through the defence to Albrighton, whose low cross found Lookman in the middle and he slid the ball home from close in.
The sides went in from the rain at half time on level terms, which was the least City deserved.

City started the second half well with Ricardo having a shot blocked and a series of corners. Ricardo was having perhaps his best game since his comeback, and Coady just managed to cut out one move from him, while another pass set up Daka whose shot was saved by Sa.
Lookman was also having a fine game and he weaved his way into the Wolves area before delivering a shot that didn’t quite have enough to beat Sa.
Lookman then played a ball in from the left that set up Tielemans, but his attempted curler into the top left hand corner cleared the bar.
Wolves had been penned in their own half for a while, but then took a 66th minute lead with their first chance of the half. A square ball from Dendoncker found Podence 22 yards out and in an instant he dispatched the ball into the net. Schmeichel complained that he’d been unsighted by Wolves players in offside positions, but VAR didn’t agree.
Brendan Rodgers brought on Iheanacho for Daka, and then Maddison for Ndidi. The pattern of play continued to be Leicester possession and Wolves happy to sit back.
Maddison was brought down by Neves and then struck a decent free kick that hit the wall and went narrowly over. He then curled in another shot that went a yard wide.
But time was running out for City. Schmeichel pushed forward into midfield and sent a fine ball out to Thomas on the left. His cross was cleared as far as Tielemans who struck a fierce shot that Sa tipped round the post. Schmeichel came up for the corner but was flattened by Sa as he punched clear. Neto broke upfield but missed the unmanned goal with a long range effort.
That was Craig Pawson’s cue to end the game and City went home empty-handed from a performance that should have brought them a point at least.
Brendan Rodgers, under increasing pressure, was upbeat: “Sometimes after you lose there is disappointment or frustration but I am very enthused. I have seen us starting to see us return to our levels of play and creativity. It is just disappointing, they had two shots from outside the box and it’s two goals.”

Wolves: Malheiro de Sá, Kilman, Coady, Saïss, Nélson Semedo, Dendoncker, Neves, João Moutinho (Hwang Hee-Chan 58), Aït-Nouri (Marçal 88), Jiménez, Podence (Neto 81).
Substitutes: Machado Trincão, Fábio Silva, Castro Otto, Ruddy, Gomes, Cundle.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Amartey, Söyüncü, Thomas, Tielemans, Ndidi (Maddison 74), Dewsbury-Hall, Albrighton, Daka (Iheanacho 73), Lookman.
Substitutes: Ward, Pérez, Choudhury, Vestergaard, Mendy, Jakupovic, Soumaré.
Referee: Craig Pawson.

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