Leicester City 3-1 Norwich City
Post Match Analysis by Chris Griffin
City’s performance against Norwich eased the pain of the hangover from the Bristol City game. After a slowish start City injected and sustained high energy throughout the match. Another couple of goals would not have flattered them. This was much more akin to the City who had achieved such an astonishing start to the season – with the added bonus of the players moving the ball more quickly and forcing their opponents onto the back foot with longer, penetrating passes.
Enzo Maresca played Pereira for Choudhury, Doyle (who was excellent) for Justin, and Daka for Vardy.
City had marginally the best of the first 15 minutes without threatening the Norwich goal. Doyle’s passing took the eye as well as his comfort on the ball. Dewsbury-Hall and Mavididi were in the game frequently down the left flank, but it was noticeable that Fatawu on the right was neglected. Faes gave Pereira a hospital pass which led to a threatening Norwich counter and a free kick which Hermansen dealt with comfortably. After 15 minutes Fatawu at last received a pass (to ironic cheers from the crowd). Good linkage with Ndidi led to the midfielder putting in a hard low cross prompting appeals for handball by Gibson but referee Darren Bond saw nothing wrong.
Norwich gave City some anxiety. Faes had to hastily clear for a corner; Sara brought a good save from Hermansen; then Hermansen quickly and bravely gathered the ball at the feet of Sargent. In the 20th minute Norwich took the lead. City were slow to react to a throw-in down their left flank and Faes conceded the corner. Nunez sent in a low fast ball skimming along the byline. Dewsbury -Hall was dragged away from protecting the near post by Gibson and Sara tapped in from a few inches. Curious that the foul on Dewsbury-Hall went without punishment from the officials.
Leicester responded by going on the front foot. Fatawu was a constant threat down the right often combining well with Ndidi. City equalised in the 33rd minute. Good work between Fatawu and Ndidi allowed the latter to cross beyond the far post. The unmarked Mavididi headed back across goal and Dewsbury-Hall leapt and headed into the roof of the net. Leicester kept pressing and another thrusting Fatawu/Ndidi combination saw Ndidi cross again from the by-line prompting another convincing appeal for handball by Gibson – again dismissed by referee Bond.
From the point they conceded it had been a good half for Leicester with the crowd delighted to see City on the front foot more often and prepared to play the ball forward quickly.
The first 15 minutes of the second half were dominated by Leicester with Norwich hardly putting a foot into the Leicester half. Mavididi looked very much on his game, beating his marker and whipping in good crosses. A careless defensive header by McCallum gave Daka a chance to knock the ball into an empty net but he failed to control the ball. After a slick passing move Ndidi had good a chance but Gunn bravely rushed off his line and collected the ball at the midfielder’s feet. Doyle had a heading chance from a corner but sent his effort wide. Ndidi also misdirected a header.
It was all Leicester and eventually City gained the reward. Norwich turned over the ball in midfield and slick Leicester passing gave Dewsbury-Hall the chance to launch Mavididi. He cut into the penalty area from the left with the ball at his right foot and sent a low curling shot across the keeper and inside the far post: a quality goal.
Norwich stirred themselves a little and a good counterattack saw Stacey shoot just past the post. Leicester held firm. As the final whistle approached Maresca made substitutions. Taking off Fatawu and Mavididi seemed to signal parking the bus, but City kept pressing even in the last five minutes of over-time. Justin made strong runs down the right. From a throw in deep in Norwich’s half the ball came to Winks who made a diagonal run into the area. His left foot shot was blocked. The ball rebounded to the unmarked substitute Vardy who knocked the ball into an open goal much to his -and the crowd’s – delight.
The fans gave the team a loud and enthusiastic reception at the final whistle. Certainly, many will have hoped that Southampton and Hull would do us favours against Ipswich and Leeds later in the day. Sadly, that was not to be. So, to gain automatic promotion the team and coaching staff must dig in, win their games, and hope that one of the current top two clubs trips up at some point. Certainly, the players showed a lot of strength yesterday and Maresca acknowledged this. “It was important to win, and they showed they were mentally strong because they went 1-0 down and that is not easy. The reaction was fantastic.”
Leicester City: Hermansen; Pereira (Choudhury 85’; Vestergaard; Faes; Doyle; K Dewsbury-Hall (Akgun 81’); H Winks; Ndidi (Praet 85’); K Fatawu (Justin 88’); (Albrighton 90’); Daka (Vardy 77’); Mavididi (Akgun 89’)
Norwich City: Gunn; Stacey; Sorensen (Duffy); Gibson; McCallum; Nunez (Gibbs 66’); McLean; Gomes Sara; Barnes; (Fassnacht); Sainz; Sargent.
Referee: Darren Bond Attendance: 31,825
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.