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Tag: Leicester City

  • Chelsea avenge FA cup loss, beat Leicester to gain top-four advantage

    Chelsea avenge FA cup loss, beat Leicester to gain top-four advantage

    Kelechi Iheanco’s goal was not enough as Chelsea avenged their FA Cup final defeat by Leicester to move above the Foxes into third in the Premier League with a 2-1 win in front of 8,000 fans at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

    Antonio Rudiger and Jorginho, from the penalty spot, scored the goals for Thomas Tuchel’s men to keep a place in next season’s Champions League in their own hands.

    However, victory came at a cost for the Blues as N’Golo Kante limped off injured in the first half just 11 days before they face Manchester City in the Champions League final.

    Victory away to Aston Villa on Sunday will guarantee Chelsea a top-four finish.

    Leicester will forever have the memories of winning the FA Cup for the first time at Wembley on Saturday, but are now at risk of missing out on Champions League football on the final day of the campaign for the second consecutive season.

    Brendan Rodgers’s men still lead Liverpool by three points, but the Reds will go fourth on goal difference if they win at Burnley on Wednesday.

    Leicester host Tottenham on the final day, while Jurgen Klopp’s men welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield.

    Roared on by the biggest attendance at Stamford Bridge in over 14 months, Chelsea exploded out the blocks with Leicester barely able to get out their own half in the first 45 minutes.

    However, a combination of Kasper Schmeichel and controversial refereeing kept the hosts at bay until the break.

    Chelsea were denied in a dramatic end to the cup final by a VAR review which ruled out Ben Chilwell’s goal for offside.

    Timo Werner had two more goals disallowed in the first half as the German international was firstly flagged offside before his second effort was ruled out by a VAR review for handball.

    But in between, Werner was rightly dismayed when he was somehow denied a penalty.

  • Senior man Iheanacho seals Leicester comeback win

    Senior man Iheanacho seals Leicester comeback win

    Kelechi Iheanacho scores, assist one in Leicester comeback win against Crystal Palace as the Foxes moved closer to Champions League qualification.

    Wilfried Zaha put the visitors ahead after only 12 minutes, with a first-time finish following a fine through ball from Eberechi Eze.

    But Timothy Castagne equalised for the Foxes within five minutes of the second half by firing the ball into the roof of the net after being set up by Kelechi Iheanacho.

    Palace nearly retook the lead but a superb sliding challenge from Jonny Evans denied Christian Benteke what would have been a tap-in into an unguarded goal.

    That missed chance proved crucial as Iheanacho scored his 12th goal in nine games, when he cut inside on to his left foot and blasted the ball past goalkeeper Vicente Guaita for a late winner.

    The result leaves the Foxes third in the Premier League, but takes them seven points clear of fifth-placed West Ham with five matches to go.

    Leicester, who have also reached the FA Cup final for the first time since 1969, have only played in the European Cup or Champions League once, reaching the quarter-finals in 2016-17 after winning the Premier League the previous season.

    Their run-in includes games against Manchester United in second, Chelsea in fourth and Tottenham in seventh.

  • Kelechi Iheanacho attracting fresh transfer interest

    Kelechi Iheanacho attracting fresh transfer interest

    Kelechi Iheanacho’s exploits for Leicester City haven’t gone unnoticed.

    The Nigerian has scored 17 goals this season, his record tally in senior football.

    Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been keeping a close eye on Iheanacho, according to Fichajes.

    Leicester paid £25m to Man City to sign Iheanacho back in 2017.

    After a slow start to his career at King Power, Iheanacho is finally realising his potential and still is only 24 years of age.

  • Iheanacho grabs brace as Leicester City outclass Manchester United

    Iheanacho grabs brace as Leicester City outclass Manchester United

    Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho scored two goals as they beat Manchester United 3-1 in their FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday to set up a last-four clash against Southampton.

    The Foxes took the lead following a horrendous error from Manchester United’s Fred, whose backpass became a through-ball for Iheanacho.

    The Nigerian collected it and rounded the goalkeeper before firing home in the 24th minute.

    Manchester United struck back seven minutes before half-time as Mason Greenwood rifled Paul Pogba’s centre into the net.

    But they never got to grips with Leicester City in midfield and they went behind again early in the second half.

    Youri Tielemans surged at Manchester United’s soft centre, bursting through and brushing off a less-than-convincing challenge from Fred before firing a low shot into the bottom corner.

    Jamie Vardy could have brought his seven-game goal drought to an end but he pulled his shot just wide of the near post when clean through on goal.

    His selfless running, however, was instrumental in creating space for his Leicester City teammates.

    Manchester United’s woeful defence was exposed again in the 78th minute as Iheanacho was left completely unmarked at the far post.

    He headed home Marc Albrighton’s free-kick to seal the victory and send his side into the semi-finals.

    “We worked really well in training to get ready for this game. Tactically we worked hard.

    “We really felt ready to go and we passed the ball very well and got in open spaces and got the runs and the goals,” Iheanacho told reporters.

    “I am really happy playing alongside Jamie (Vardy). It’s helping me a lot, creating space and getting the shot in behind. So, I hope we can keep working hard together,” he added.

    Chelsea will take on Manchester City in the other last-four tie, and both semi-finals will take place at Wembley on the weekend of April 17 to April 18.

  • Why I like to play along with Vardy – Iheanacho

    Why I like to play along with Vardy – Iheanacho

    Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho has highlighted a number of reasons why he likes to play along with teammate Jamie Vardy.

    The Super Eagles player has been delivering impressive performances for the King Power Stadium outfit this season.

    Iheanacho has bagged seven goals, including his strike against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, and provided four assists in 26 appearances across all competitions.

    “It’s a bit difficult for the manager because he needs to use everybody, and then we have to have an impact,” Iheanacho said, as per Independent.

    “I need to wait for my time but I’m confident with how things are going right now. I just have to keep working hard and keep taking the opportunities.

    “I like playing with him [Vardy] because he can run in behind and gives me options, or he can get the ball and go deep. I like playing with him but when he’s not around I can play by myself.

    “I’m happy with the goals that are coming now. I feel good.”

  • Jamie Vardy set to have hernia operation

    Jamie Vardy set to have hernia operation

    Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is set to be sidelined for a “few weeks” because of a hernia operation, according to his club manager Brendan Rodgers on Friday.

    The England striker has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season and Rodgers described the operation as a “small corrective procedure.”

    “Jamie Vardy will be out for a few weeks,” the Northern Irishman Rodgers said in a Friday video press conference.

    “As you know, we’ve been managing him over this last number of months, and he’s been absolutely fantastic.”

    Rodgers said Leicester City would have liked the operation to have been done earlier and cannot delay Vardy’s surgery any longer.

    “We were hoping to do it a few weeks back,” Rodgers explained.

    “This is the window where we can get it done and that will obviously leave him with a good part of the season where he can be really influential for us.

    “It’s one that doesn’t keep him (Vardy) out for too long. But it’s just a repair in and round that hernia area. He can’t really put it off much longer.”

    Leicester City take on Brentford in the FA Cup on Sunday before English Premier League (EPL) commitments against Everton and Leeds United at the end of January.

  • Ndidi returns for Leicester City

    Ndidi returns for Leicester City

    Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi has returned to full training for Leicester City following an abductor injury.

    The Nigerian midfielder has been out of action after suffering a knock in the Foxes’ 4-2 defeat to Burnley in a Premier League game in September.

    As a result, he missed Leicester’s rise to the top of the Premier league table as well as the international games with the Super Eagles.

    The 23-year-old has now resumed training and could feature in Leicester’s top-of-the-table clash against Liverpool this weekend.

    The Foxes, who have won their last six games across all competitions have a packed schedule of English top-flight games as well as the Europa League to deal with.

    They will need key first-team members such as Ndidi fit and available for the big fixtures coming in quick succession.

    In Ndidi’s absence, the King Power Stadium giants have led the log having accrued 18 points.

  • Vardy scores as Leicester City run over Leeds United to go second

    Vardy scores as Leicester City run over Leeds United to go second

    Jamie Vardy inspired and Youri Tielemans scored twice as Leicester City enjoyed an impressive 4-1 win at Leeds United on Monday to move up to second in the English Premier League (EPL).

    The Foxes, who have now won all four away games this season, grabbed the lead in the second minute.

    This was when Vardy intercepted a poor back-pass from Leeds United defender Robin Koch and set-up Harvey Barnes to slot home.

    The goal came directly after an early chance for Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford, who could only head straight at Kasper Schmeichel from close range.

    Brendan Rodgers’ side doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Marc Albrighton whipped in a cross.

    Vardy’s stooping, angled header struck Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier in the face and fell to Tielemans to fire home.

    Leeds United came out strongly after the break.

    They pulled a goal back three minutes after the restart when a deep cross from Stuart Dallas went through a crowded box and into the net’s far corner.

    Pablo Hernandez then hit the bar for Leeds United with a fine effort from the edge of the penalty box.

    But Leicester City restored their two-goal advantage with a beautifully-worked third goal.

    Substitute James Maddison found Cengiz Under who showed great finesse to pick out Vardy who slotted home.

    The 33-year-old striker has now scored eight goals in all competitions this season with each coming away from home.

    Maddison was involved with the fourth goal, in stoppage time, when Mateusz Klich challenged him from behind.

    After a VAR review, referee Andre Marriner awarded a penalty kick which Tielemans confidently converted.

    Leicester City are now on 15 points, just one point behind leaders Liverpool and Rodgers enthused about his team.

    “I thought my players were brilliant. We had to be tactically disciplined and then play when we had the ball,” he said.

    “If we get to March, April and we are in that position (second), then it will be nice, but there is a long way to go,” he added.

    Leeds United are 12th on 10 points and their Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa struck a self-critical tone.

    “In the first 30 minutes we defended poorly and after we didn’t create enough danger. That is one of the main responsibilities of the manager,” he said.

    “I am not taking the blame, just stating the players were not correctly distributed. The players are disappointed,” added Bielsa.

  • Coronavirus: Three Leicester players in self-isolation

    Coronavirus: Three Leicester players in self-isolation

    Three Leicester City first-team players have self-isolated after showing symptoms of coronavirus and “have been kept away from the rest of the squad”, manager Brendan Rodgers has said.

    Rodgers did not specify which players had been quarantined but added that the club had “followed procedures”.

    The Foxes are due to play Watford at Vicarage Road in the Premier League on Saturday.

    “We had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs,” Rodgers said.

    “It would be a shame [if the Watford game were postponed], but the public’s health is the most important in all of this.”

    Asked if the game could be played behind closed doors, Rodgers said: “The game is all about the players and the fans and if you have one of those not there, it’s obviously not the same.”

  • EPL: Ndidi to return against West Ham – Rodgers

    EPL: Ndidi to return against West Ham – Rodgers

    Brendan Rodgers yesterday provided an update on the fitness of Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi ahead of the club’s clash against West Ham United today.

    The Foxes are set to welcome David Moyes’ men to the King Power stadium, as part of the Premier League’s midweek fixture list.

    Speaking in his pre-West Ham press conference yesterday, Rodgers was asked for a fitness update on his squad and the main talking point surrounded sidelined midfielder Ndidi whose absence has been sorely felt in the Foxes’ last two outings.

    Amazingly, though, despite having only undergone surgery on a knee issue two weeks ago, the Nigerian midfielder is already in line to make a return to the pitch after Rodgers confirmed that his side’s midfield enforcer has made an ‘incredible recovery’, and could yet feature tomorrow night: “Yes, there’s a great chance he (Ndidi) will be in the squad for tomorrow. We’ll see how he is from today. He’s made an incredible recovery. I think that’s the thing with the type of operation he had, people will recover in different timescales. For Wilf it was 11 days.’

    “He’s been out on the pitch; he’s had all the tests. It’s a great testament to him and our medical team, the work that’s gone in to getting him fit. He’s available, we think,” the coach added.

    Leicester will enter the matchup desperate for a bounce-back display, on the back of an alarming dip in form of late as Rodgers’ outfit are winless in their last 3 outings across all competitions.

    After falling to a shock 2-1 loss at home to Southampton two weeks ago, Leicester were again put to the sword by a side battling relegation this past weekend.

    A meeting with struggling Burnley at Turf Moor eventually saw the Clarets run out 2-1 winners, courtesy of second-half strikes from Chris Wood and Ashley Westwood.