A surprise to see James Maddison on the bench from start, and again fielding Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from start. The rest of the set up looks ok, but as we see the juggling continues. Jamie Vardy was also named on the bench and to see him back was fantastic.
Burnley makes a bit of noice during first half and Leicester are just defending themselves and not really able to penetrate much either as the passes goes most out wide.
First half went on but without much happening and a bit of a tug of war in the middle of the park with a certain Nick Pope on allert when needed.
We did get a change at half time with Ricardo Pereira leaving the field, moving Marc Albrigthon down in the back and sub Ademola Lookman coming on and taking a place up front alongside Daka and Barnes.
The 2nd half also just drifted away without any real momentum but still a bit of advantage as the ball was mostly in Leicester feet most of the time.
A real change happened late on when Brendan Rodgers decided to give minutes to Jamie Vardy and James Maddison coming on in the 72nd minute and with these two on the field the game changed completely.
If this was a calculated substitution and a plan from start it was a masterstroke from Brendan Rodgers as the scenario became a perfect act for Leicester.
Jamie Vardy was as lively as ever and came to a number of chances but it was James Maddison who striked first with a well place shot from distance as it found the net perfectly behind a lively goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Embed from Getty ImagesLeicester were 1-0 up with 8 minutes left of the game, and instead of going in defense it just rolled on with more chances and the Harvey Barnes run down the left side and fidning Jamie Vardy perfectly for him just to put his head on the ball and push it over the line it was no doubt that it would be a perfect afternoon at Turf Moor.
We all know what type of quality these two players have and also bringing the best out of others makes it so perfect to have them on the field at the same time.
Why Brendan Rodgers decided to drop James Maddison from start was something to ask questions about, and of course a bit of a gamble, but as we did see turned out great.
Leicester are now on 30 points and still of course not safe but with the quality this team have and also keeping a clean sheet makes it possible believe in a climb up the league ladder. Easy to see that the partnership of Amartey and Soyuncu also are starting to flourish with both appearing with solidity today.
Embed from Getty ImagesLeicester will play Leeds next on Saturday at home and we certainly hope they can convince us all that this away win was not just a flash in the pan, but something that will continue. Leeds will be a difficult hurdle coming to Filbert Way with a new manager on board.
We will see what type of experiment Brendan Rodgers will use next, as he moves on hopefully to something good for the rest of the season.
- Positives
- Solid defensive performance, keeping a clean sheet
- Maddison and Vardy coming on and being the players changing it all
- Getting to 30 points and with games in hand
- Harvey Barnes and Daniel Amartey with solid performances
- Negatives:
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall strangely again in the team as he is not deliviring what is needed
- Youri Tielemans taken off for Maddison and not Dewsbury-Hall
- Daka and Lookman not doing the job when called up on
Player Ratings: Schmeichel 6, Pereira 5, Amartey 7, Albrighton 6, Thomas 6, Soyuncu 6, Ndidi 6, Tielemans 6, Dewsbury-Hall 4, Daka 4, Barnes 7 Subs: Lookman 4, Vardy, Maddison
Embed from Getty Images- Leicester City, Man of the Match
- Harvey Barnes
Match Stats (H/A):
- Possession: 43 / 57
- Corners: 6 / 8
- Shots on target: 2 / 6
- Fouls: 10 / 13
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