Rotherham 1 City 3
Report by Colin Hall
Two first half strikes by record signing Leo Ulloa helped Leicester City to a 3-1 victory at Rotherham last night and maintained the side's impressive pre-season form.
The Foxes have remained unbeaten during a punishing schedule that saw them tour four Football League venues in the space of a week.
Although the quality of opposition is likely to rise sharply in coming weeks, the management will have been encouraged by the number of impressive performances shown by key players, and Ulloa in particular.
The only blemish on an otherwise encouraging evening in South Yorkshire was an injury to Anthony Knockaert late in the game which forced his substitution.
City's line-up featured those squad members unused during the previous night's victory at Milton Keynes, with the exception of Matthew Upson and Jamie Vardy, both still recovering from injuries.
The side made a tentative start on their first-ever visit to the impressive New York Stadium, with set pieces from home winger Ben Pringle causing particular concern.
Gradually, however, the passing rhythm that featured so heavily in last season's successful campaign began to emerge. As Danny Drinkwater and Matty James began to find their range, the visitors began to establish a foothold in the game.
It was therefore little surprise when a flowing move produced the game's opening goal on the half-hour. Patient build-up work produced a long-range effort from James which was blocked, only for the ball to rebound to Ulloa, whose finish showed the composure and accuracy that Foxes will hope to see from him on a regular basis in the coming months.
The goal visibly lifted confidence of the big Argentine, who found the scoresheet again six minutes before the break, Drinkwater released Ritchie De Laet on the right, and Ulloa ensured that the Belgian's superb curling cross was given the finish it thoroughly deserved.
However Rotherham emerged from the interval a rejuvenated side, following several changes among their ranks. Kasper Schmeichel was forced into making several fine saves as the home side sought a lifeline back into the match.
The Millers finally made their pressure tell in the 61st minute as a weak Liam Moore clearance allowed Kieron Agard to drive the ball past Schmeichel.
But while previous City sides might have succumbed to panic in the face of such a fightback, this one quickly regained its focus and discipline. Once Drinkwater had exploited lax home defending to restore City's two-goal advantage, the destiny of the game was never in serious doubt.
The visitors saw out the closing stages in relative comfort, though not without making some further defensive lapses which a Lukaku or a Diego Costa might have punished more severely.
Overall, though, this was a pleasing performance against spirited Championship hosts. City look in good shape for the coming season, although Saturday's home match with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen may offer a more accurate indication of future prospects.
Rotherham (4-4-2) – Loach (Collin 46); Broadfoot, Arnason (Brindley 46), Wood (Morgan 46), Sadler (Skarz 46); Swift, Frecklington (Green 46), Tidser (Newton 46), Pringle (Hall 46); Revell (Bowery 46), Derbyshire (Agard 46).
City (4-4-1-1) – Schmeichel; De Laet, Wasilewski, Moore, Konchesky; Taylor-Fletcher, Drinkwater, James, Knockaert (Watson 72); Hopper (Dodoo 67); Ulloa.
Referee:- Carl Pawson Attendance:- 3714 (595 visiting supporters)
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