Leicester were back in action on Tuesday, playing MK Dons in the Carabao Cup. After the World Cup break it was great to see the side back in play. Brendan Rodgers picked a well balanced team and without James Maddison and also leaving out Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Wilfred Ndidi, Jonny Evans and Patson Daka gave other players a chance to shine.
Ayoze Perez and Dennis Praet both got to start, so did Jamie Vardy and Bouba Soumare. Danny Ward was in goal, chosen above Daniel Iversen who had been the preferred choice in the earlier rounds of this competition.
Leicester looked controlled from start and with Youri Tielemans as captain in a team counting four players from Belgium, it all looked as it would be a game of domination from Leicester.
Youri Tielemans opened the scoring after just 18 minutes and after that point it was really no discussion about what team that would come out as winners. It looked solid from start in a well balanced set up that worked as planned.
The second goal was a beauty and shows why Ayoze Perez is a player to count, his technique is excellent and the way he can handle a ball was really seen in the 29th minute. After a well place pass from Luke Thomas, the ball was taken down like a flying feather and a controlled shot passing the line.
Leicestser had a 2-0 lead and just kept on going for another one, but the first half ended with those two goals, and it all looked like a group having fun and enjoying themselves against a third tier team that in quality could not compete.
Then early on 2nd half, Jamie Vardy made his mark putting his head on a ball from Timothy Castagne as it was well placed in the left corner and again no chance for MK Dons goalkeeper James Cumming to save.
Brendan Rodgers made a few changes and after 67 minutes the day was over for Jamie Vardy and Ayoze Perez, being replaced by Patson Daka and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Will Alves, Marc Albrighton and Kasey McAteer were also given minutes as the game reached the finish line and faded out towards the end, Leicester settling with a grand 3-0 victory.
Leicester have again reached the quarter finals for the Carabao Cup, and hopes are that the campaign can continue and hopefully on Thursday being drawn against an opponent that will be possible to defeat.
- Positives
- Scoring three goals, keeping a new clean sheet
- A well balanced team with the quality to control this type of games
- Luke Thomas showing progress and that he can be the left back alternative going forward
- Youri Tielemans again captain, let’s hope it is a good sign
- Jamie Vardy on the scoresheet
- Giving minutes to home grown talent in Alves and McAteer
- Negatives
- Today, no negatives
Player Ratings: Ward 6, Castagne 7, Thomas 8, Amartey 6, Faes 6, Soumare 7, Tielemans 7, Praet 6, Vardy 7, Barnes 7, Perez 7, Subs: Daka, Ihenacho, Alves, McAteer, Albrighton
- Leicester City, Man of the Match
- Luke Thomas
Match Stats (H/A)
- Possession: 27 / 73
- Corners: 1 / 11
- Shots on target: 0 / 8
- Fouls: 5 / 9
Leave a Reply