Leicester dominates for 80 minutes, but loses on two deflected goals as the hosts smash and grab.
Leeds United defeated Leicester City on Friday night at Elland Road by a score of 3-1. In the first half, Wout Faes headed a goal from a corner to give the Foxes an early advantage. In the second half, the Foxes squandered multiple excellent opportunities to increase their lead and had a Patson Daka goal incorrectly called back. Leeds found an aggressive gear in the last ten minutes of the match, scoring three goals through Connor Roberts, a deflected own goal by Wout Faes from an Archie Grey attempt, and a free kick by Daniel James off Patrick Bamford.It was an odd game. To the annoyance of both sets of players, managers, and supporters, referee Craig Pawson made it his mission to interject himself into every event. He made a few correct calls, but that was about the extent of his contribution to the proceedings. Before United took their first attempt on goal, the Foxes were clearly the superior team for the first eighty minutes. They should have been ahead 4-0 at that point. Not likely, at all. At least four should have been among them.
That matters not though. Leeds persevered, turned the tide of the game, and emerged victorious in the end. It turns out that “xG” and “should have scored” have no bearing on one’s position on the table, which is why they received three points. Points are everything, and we were short on them today.
You may make the case—and be correct—that the substitutions were ineffective. The actual data clearly indicates that the modifications were ineffective—1-0 before and 3-1 after. I believe that the Leeds adjustments were more successful than the Leicester ones. The Foxes never dealt with their constant attempts to mount an attack. Two of the objectives
What is my process for creating a Man of the Match? For eighty minutes, everything was fine. Following that, nobody was good. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was an enormous threat on the ball today, so I’d have to go with him. Until they, oh, were, Vestergaard and Faes were invincible. That is, beatable. No matter where he lines up, Ricardo is one of those players who would rank among our top.
We now have 78 points from 34 games after the loss. Although it is now only six points over Leeds in second place, our lead over Ipswich Town is still nine. We go to Bournemouth on Tuesday to play the FA Cup against the Cherries. The Queens Park Rangers will make their debut visit to the King Power the following Saturday.
Important Events and Remarks
2′-Interesting. Mavididi and Fatawu appear to have switched sides. Abdul is on the left, while Stephy is on the right. There must be a tactical explanation, but I’m not aware of what that is.
4′-Get Close! The lead ought to belong to the hosts. Leading the charge, Gnonto flicks the ball to Piroe in space in front of the net. When he ought to have at least hit the mark, he speeds past.
6′-Just outside the area, Gruev digs in studs up into KDH’s calf. When Daka picks it up in space, referee Craig Pawson declines to play advantage. It is taken by Dewsbury-Hall and floated into the mixer, but it is cleared to Fatawu, who makes an amazing volley attempt. You could
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19′-Ricardo challenges Summerville with a superb sliding move to steal the ball. Craig Pawson does more than just blast his whistle; he also shows the Leicester skipper a yellow card.In addition, Summerville did go over the player after the ball was lost, but the replays clearly show that he did not contact the player.
22′: What’s going on? After a brilliant run to get past the City defence, Gnonto hesitates and has his shot blocked. Mavididi scores when Vestergaard puts a pass over the top. Rodon tosses it behind, but the referee doesn’t see it and the game goes on. Strange things.
24′: Shut Down! Summerville is superior. Although Choudhury is in and ought to score, Vestergaard successfully timed his challenge. That is
