LEICESTER CITY 4 MANCHESTER CITY 2
Match Report by Paul Weston
I woke up this morning after a long drive back to Suffolk last night in the pouring rain. Did I dream that yesterday we tore one of the best teams in the Premiership to shreds with a scintillating display of football? I have just checked the newspapers and it’s true – we did!
I imagine that there were many City fans who, like me, went to the match with a feeling of foreboding and inevitable defeat against Manchester City. This had been increased by the humiliating defeat against Porto. Just what had gone wrong with the energy and spirit of the side since last season? So many players seemed out of form and the new signings were so far disappointing. Disjointed formations, aimless long balls and so little short passing through midfield were evident.
Ranieri once again paired Slimani with Vardy- a combination that had failed to work so far. The midfield selection of Amartey and King was inevitable given the absence of Drinkwater on the last game of his ban but this looked weak against the might of Manchester City.
The match exploded into life after only two minutes when, from a towering defensive header from Huth, Mahrez made a glorious first time pass to Slimani, who slid Vardy in for a confident finish. What a goal to break his barren run and just what he needed! From then on Vardy was on fire and the whole team responded.
A second goal came soon after. Fuchs long throw was headed back by Huth to Slimani who cushioned the ball back well to Andy King who curled a sublime shot into the corner 2-0!
Yet amongst the goal mayhem Manchester City, and De Bruyne in particular, looked dangerous when attacking and in long periods of possession. Their problem was in defence, where kamikaze passing between Bravo and Stones, in particular, gave hope for future opportunities especially as our players were pressing much better than in recent matches. Mahrez was being given more room than normal and he revelled in the chance to show us his form of old.
It got even better in the 20th minute when Fuchs’ cross ball from deep was met first time by Mahrez straight to Vardy who waltzed around Bravo to tap in. 3-0 and the match had hardly started!
At the other end Manchester City continued to threaten and Kolarov and De Bruyn went close. It should have been 4-0 to City when Slimani missed a simple header after a delightful move and cross by Albrighton.
The team went off at half time to a standing ovation after its best performance by far of the season. But it was only half time and we feared for what the big guns of Manchester City could produce in the second half.
The second half was quite different as Manchester City continued to dominate possession and City were pressed back for long spells. However, that was broken when, from a breakaway by Mahrez, started by substitute Okazaki, Stones passed back to Bravo but the ball slowed down on the rain sodden pitch. Vardy was onto the ball in a flash and, from a ridiculous angle shot towards the goal. The ball rebounded off the post and technology showed that it had gone over the line before Sagna could clear. 4-0 and we were in dreamland. A Vardy hat trick after his lean spell was just what we all needed. Jamie Vardy was certainly having a party!
Man City had brought on Toure and Sterling and they continued to threaten in attack. They won a free kick about 9 minutes from the end and Kolarov scored. In my opinion Zieler was badly positioned and should have saved the shot. The gloss was taken off the win slightly at the end when, with City players tiring and starting to lose concentration, Nolito scored from a well worked move to make it 4-2.
In the last minute of the game James was brought on to substitute Mahrez to rapturous applause to both players for different reasons. It was good to see Matty James back after such a long time out.
I doubt if many Leicester City fans saw this result coming and it was great to have the stadium bouncing again- literally! The league table looks a bit better this morning and now we need to continue this form into two tough away games at Bournemouth and Stoke. It will be interesting to see the team selection for these matches. Drinkwater is available again and Schmeichel hopefully fit, but Danny Simpson suspended after a fifth booking.
Schmeichel, for me, has to return for the disappointing Zieler as soon as possible. We have missed his authority and quick anticipation of opportunities and shot stopping. Amartey had one of his best games against Manchester City but I would expect Drinkwater to replace him against Bournemouth. Hernandez, totally unimpressive against Porto, will presumably be the only option to replace Simpson.
I would then urge Ranieri to tinker no further and see if the combination of Vardy, Slimani, and Mahrez can flourish when playing away from home and against sides which no doubt will defend tighter than Manchester City. Nevertheless all of a sudden the future looks brighter and City fans have a smile on their faces again!
Leicester: Zieler, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez (James 90 +1:20), King, Amartey, Albrighton, Vardy (Gray 88), Slimani (Okazaki 78). Subs not used: Chilwell, Musa, Hamer, Mendy
Man City: Bravo, Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Zabaleta, Fernando, Silva, Gundogan (Nolito 68), Jesus Navas (Sterling 58), Iheanacho (Toure 58), De Bruyne. Subs not used: Caballero, Sane, Clichy, Adarabioyo
Attendance: 31,966 Referee: Michael Oliver
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