Leicester City 1 – 0 Sunderland.
Post Match Analysis by Chris Griffin
I have seldom found it easy to be optimistic when watching City. The Sunderland game provides a case in point. They came here in the top six – so look out. They have lost their last two games. Ah, that might not be so bad. They have still won twice on the road this season. Hmmm. And their manager Tony Mowbray is an experienced coach who knows the game. He will have a plan for us.
But, on the other hand, as the season has gone on, we have continued to improve and play some very effective football as stipulated by Enzo Maresca’s idea. So I should have had some faith.
As it turned out Sunderland provided a big challenge but City passed the test in a tight battle.
Casadei came in for the injured Ndidi and Iheanacho for Vardy. Before the game there was a superb ovation to commemorate the passing of five years since the helicopter crash which took the lives of the late chairman and some of his colleagues. The ovation also paid tribute to the superb footballing career of Bobby Charlton and was supported by both home and away fans.
Mowbray did have a plan and it was clear from the start. His team took up positions high up the field and pressed the Leicester back four squeezing the time available for our usual careful build up. Under pressure Vestergaard conceded a free kick just outside the D but Roberts’ effort was cleared.
Slowly Leicester played themselves more into the game forcing corners. They took the lead from one of these in the 12th minute with D/H’s outswinger headed in at the near post by the soaring Justin. This provided the team and the fans with an impetus and City came near to increasing their lead. The Sunderland keeper, the excellent Anthony Patterson, parried two fierce efforts from Mavididi and Iheanacho onto the posts. Cracking saves but both chances should have been taken.
A measure on the screen showed City had 54% of possession over the first twenty minutes – far less than in most games and a credit to Sunderland’s game plan. Hermansen got down very well to save a low drive from Clarke. Bellingham then had a great chance with the City defence all over the shop but, and with an open net gaping, the youngster headed the ball high over the bar.
As half time approached City fans were frustrated by what appeared to be some lenience from referee Stroud towards some robust Sunderland tackling. But City still played some fluent football and after one superb passing move fans saw again the ball rebound off the Sunderland post. Hearts were in mouths just before half time after Faes clashed with Neil in the box but no penalty was given. A friend of mine messaged “Lucky there’s no VAR.” So maybe we swerved one there.
City kept on the front foot after half time but as in the first half several gilt edge opportunities were not taken. Casadei had two chances in quick succession but Patterson made two great saves.
The game was more open but Sunderland’s substitutions opened it up even more. Mowbray switched to a back three. This freed up more support for the attack. Leicester defended strongly with Faes especially notable, and well supported by Vesteergard. D-H was also prominent. What energy that boy has. Even so Sunderland had some great chances. The abiding memory is of their efforts flying over the bar on at least three occasions.
Meanwhile it wasn’t all Leicester on the back foot. Fatawu had come more and more into the game. He beat his marker and as he entered the area was pulled down. Referee Stroud said the foul was outside the box so no penalty. Looked a bit generous to many City fans. Then Casadei had a third opportunity. He made good contact but Patterson again made the save.
Meanwhile at the back it was fascinating to see how City had abandoned the methods that they have developed under Maresca. No patient passing. Goalkeeper Hermansen probably made more long clearances deep into Sunderland’s half than he had in the rest of this season’s games put together. The ball kept coming back but the City defence remained resolute and saw the game out.
A 1-0 that could have been a 5-3: but never undervalue the worth of a 1-0 win.
An entertaining game which raised some interesting questions for the rest of the season since Sunderland showed there are tactics which can draw Leicester’s sting. Maresca acknowledged this saying it was “a difficult game.”
He added “I’m very happy and it’s the game I’m most happy with in terms of the way we handled a different kind of game.”
This was Leicester’s fourth consecutive home game without conceding a goal – not achieved since 1973. They are also the quickest team to gain 36 points since the introduction of the Championship twenty years ago. It’s good to enjoy the success but this match showed there is still a long way to go. Over the next couple of weeks we play Leeds and West Brom – both top six sides. Need to keep the foot down: no doubt Enzo Maresca will ensure we do.
Leicester City: Hermansen, Pereira, Vestergaard, Faes, Justin (Choudhury 88’), Casadei, Winks, Dewsbury-Hall, Fatawu (Albrighton 80’); Iheanacho (Vardy 68’); Mavididi (Daka 89’)
Sunderland: Patterson; Hume; O’Nien; Ballard; Huggins (Cirkin 64’); Ekwah (Rig 65’); Roberts; Neil (Semedo 74’); Bellingham (Pritchard 74’); Clarke; Burstow (Ba64’).
Attendance 30951
Referee Mr K Stroud
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation