Home Soccer Premier League Leicester City shine as Leeds United are pushed aside
Leicester City shine as Leeds United are pushed aside
Brendan Rodgers embracing all his Leicester City players after an impressive victory over Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds 👏 pic.twitter.com/UONl2gemBY
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 2, 2020
Tonight's win moves the Foxes up to 2nd in the table
Leeds have been one of the surprise packages of the Premier League so far this season. They have played some incredible football thus far which has yielded some impressive results. Tonight, though, they came undone by an equally exciting Leicester side.
Leicester had several first team absentees going into the game. They fielded a weakened team because of this. The Leicester team included a mixture of experience and youth. 4 Premier League winners started for Leicester – Albrighton, Schmeichel, Vardy & Fuchs – while young players such as Luke Thomas also got their opportunity to impress. Their lack of regular starters clearly didn't affect them all that much as they came away with a spectacular win.
The last time the two sides met in the Premier League was in the 2003/4 season. Leeds won 3-2 on that day in an exciting affair. The match tonight promised to be just as – if not more – enthralling as both teams have played some eye-catching football this season.
It didn't take long for Leicester to hit the front as they struck in the 2nd minute as Harvey Barnes produced the finish. The goal came as a result of a Leicester counter attack after Leeds squandered an opportunity just moments beforehand. Patrick Bamford had the glorious opportunity after an excellent Leeds move. The ball fell to Bamford after a cushioned pass from the left-hand side, but his header was weak and straight at the keeper. Jamie Vardy capitalized on a poor Leeds back pass from the resulting counter attack and put the ball on a plate for Barnes to score.
LEICESTER LEAD! ⚽️
Get in! pic.twitter.com/Jd8OGS5uHO
— Leicester City (@LCFC) NOVEMBER 2, 2020
Leicester went up 2-0 not long afterwards. It was that man Jamie Vardy causing problems for the Leeds defence again. Although he didn't score, he played a big role leading up to the goal. It was his instinctive movement inside the box that allowed him to attempt a diving header which was saved by Meslier. Youri Tielemans was alert and ready as he anticipated the rebound and easily finished.
Leicester continued to dominate for much of the first half after the 2 goals. Their high intensity pressing, quick movement and counter attacking play rattled the opposition. Leeds were unusually sloppy as they consistently gave away possession under Leicester pressure.
Leeds started the second half a lot better than they had ended the first. In rather bizarre circumstances, a Stuart Dallas cross evaded everyone in the box before creeping into the net. Schmeichel arguably could have done better but to be fair, his defenders didn't cover themselves in glory either.
Leeds very nearly got the equalizer with 54 minutes played. Pablo Hernandez demonstrated an exceptional touch before placing the ball towards goal, but his effort hit the bar. Had his effort gone in, it would have been an outstanding goal. Leeds were looking much better now than they did in the first half. They were much tidier in possession and effective in the final third.
Leeds' second half effort wasn't to be rewarded, though. Leicester wrapped up the game in the 75th minute with a goal by who else but Jamie Vardy. It was a brilliant touch and pass by the sub James Maddison that created the chance. His through ball fell to the feet of another sub, Cengiz Ünder, who unselfishly passed to Vardy instead of going for goal himself. It's the second time in a week that the two have combined for a goal. Ünder's cross to Vardy last weekend proved to be the winner against Arsenal.
Jamie Vardy's 110th Premier League goal 😤
Takes him past Ryan Giggs on the all-time list. pic.twitter.com/u9CE2uDhWF
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 2, 2020
Leeds' woes were compounded in the 89th minute after a VAR review awarded Leicester with a penalty. There was no Jamie Vardy on the pitch to take but that wasn't to be a concern. Youri Tielemans stepped up to the spot and coolly dispatched his penalty to get his 2nd of the night.
The match finished 4-1 to Leicester as the goals dried up. Leicester move up to 2nd in the table while Leeds remain in 12th.
Leicester are up to second after a big win over Leeds ⬆ pic.twitter.com/vEVK4ZfHzs
— Goal (@goal) NOVEMBER 2, 2020
Harvey Barnes
Jamie Vardy
Stuart Dallas
Youri Tielemans
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