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Tag: Leicester

  • Why I chose No26 jersey number – Mahrez

    Why I chose No26 jersey number – Mahrez

    Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez admits he was offered the No11 shirt upon arriving from Leicester City.

    But the Algerian winger retained the number 26 upon his 2018 move.

    “The story behind the 26, when I arrived at Leicester, there was only two numbers left,” Mahrez told ManCity.com.

    “28 and 26, so I said ‘alright, I’ll take 26’ and it’s given me a lot of good things. I won the league with Leicester, Champions League quarter-final and then I liked it and kept it.

    “When I arrived here, I could’ve taken 11 but I prefer to stick with number 26.”

    Mahrez has scored 10 goals and registered five assists for City so far this season, including three goals in his last three Premier League outings.

  • AFCON qualifiers: Iheanacho missing as Nigeria begin training

    AFCON qualifiers: Iheanacho missing as Nigeria begin training

    The Nigeria senior national team had their first training in Lagos ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic.

    The three-time African kings take on the Squirrels in the Group L fixture, as a win for the Super Eagles would earn them a berth in Cameroon 2022.

    Under the watchful eyes of German tactician Gernot Rohr, all the invited players except Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho took part in the training focused on ball work.

    Rohr’s men will hold their second warm-up on Wednesday evening to finetune their strategies for the important encounter against Michel Dussuyer’s team.

    The first leg staged at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo ended in defeat for Benin, with goals from Victor Osimhen and Samuel Kalu inspiring a 2-1 triumph, while their only strike was scored by Stephane Sessegnon.

    Sadly, Sessegnon was omitted from his team’s 23-man squad as he remains without a club since the end of his spell at Turkish Super Lig outfit Genclerbirligi.

    Nevertheless, the 36-year-old will be in the Squirrels camp as a non-playing captain to boost the morale of his teammates.

    Nigeria lead Group L after accruing eight points from four outings, while Dussuyer’s side occupies second position with seven points, while Sierra Leone and Lesotho are third and fourth respectively.

    Victory for Benin at Porto-Novo’s Stade Charles de Gaulle would guarantee them a ticket to their fifth appearance at the biennial African football showpiece.

    After that, they head to the National Stadium Freetown for their last group fixture against the Leone Stars which could appear as a dead-rubber fixture.

  • Iheanacho full of pride after dumping Man Utd out of FA Cup

    Iheanacho full of pride after dumping Man Utd out of FA Cup

    Leicester City ace Kelechi Iheanacho was full of pride after their FA Cup triumph over Manchester United.

    Kelechi scored twice for the shock quarterfinal win.

    He later said, “I can’t express the feeling – I feel great and the whole team are happy.

    “We were waiting for this time and we’re into the FA Cup semi-final for the first time [in almost 40 years] so we’re happy.

    “We focus on the next game and hopefully we can get to the final.”

  • Iheanacho’s hat-trick pushes Leicester to second on EPL table

    Iheanacho’s hat-trick pushes Leicester to second on EPL table

    Kelechi Iheanacho hit a hat-trick as Leicester thrashed doomed Sheffield United 5-0 to move into second place in the Premier League, while Brighton improved their hopes of avoiding relegation with a vital win against Southampton on Sunday.

    Leicester showed no mercy to bottom-of-the-table United in the visitors’ first match since Chris Wilder’s departure on Saturday.

    Wilder, who led United from third-tier League One to the Premier League, left by mutual consent after several days of speculation about his future.

    United, managed by interim boss Paul Heckingbottom, look destined for relegation after failing to build on last season’s impressive first campaign back in the top flight.

    The Blades, 14 points from safety with only nine games left, have lost six of their last seven league games.

    Leicester pushed them closer to the Championship with their biggest win this season.

    Nigerian striker Iheanacho opened the floodgates in the 38th minute at the King Power Stadium with a close-range finish from Jamie Vardy’s pass after a flowing move.

    Iheanacho’s third goal in his last three games was followed by Ayoze Perez’s fine strike from the edge of the area in the 64th minute.

    Iheanacho scored again in the 69th minute from Vardy’s cross and completed his treble with a 25-yard blast past Aaron Ramsdale.

    Ethan Ampadu’s own goal from Vardy’s effort in the 80th minute sealed the rout for Brendan Rodgers’ side, who moved above Manchester United and within 15 points of runaway leaders Manchester City.

    – Spurs face Arsenal test -Brighton edged three points clear of third-bottom Fulham with a game in hand after a frenetic south-coast derby at St Mary’s, winning 2-1.

    It was a first win in eight games in all competitions for Graham Potter’s side since they beat Tottenham in January.

    The Seagulls are one point above fourth-bottom Newcastle, who travel to Brighton for a crucial clash in the relegation battle next weekend.

    Brighton took the lead through Lewis Dunk in the 16th minute.

    Fraser Forster made a fine save to keep out Neal Maupay’s shot but Dunk’s towering header from the resulting corner flashed past the Saints keeper.

    Southampton drew level in the 27th minute when Dunk could only help Ryan Bertrand’s header into the path of Che Adams, who volleyed home at the far post.

    But Brighton went back in front in the 56th minute as Leandro Trossard produced a fine finish from Danny Welbeck’s lay-off.

    Later on Sunday, Tottenham, unbeaten in the last five north London derbies dating back to 2018, will aim to bolster their top-four bid by recording a third successive victory against bitter rivals Arsenal.

    Jose Mourinho’s side have won their last five games in all competitions and can close to within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand if they win at the Emirates stadium.

    West Ham are also in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top-four finish.

    David Moyes’ side can move level on points with Chelsea with a game in hand if they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford.

    The Hammers have won eight of their last 11 league matches, while United need the points to cement their own top-four ambitions.

    United dropped to third after Leicester’s victory, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men would go back above them with three points against West Ham.

    Former United boss Moyes, sacked by the Old Trafford outfit in 2014 after less than a season in charge, will be returning to his old club for the second time this term following their FA Cup defeat last month.

  • Nigeria’s Iheanacho, Ghana’s Amartey give Leicester win over Brighton

    Nigeria’s Iheanacho, Ghana’s Amartey give Leicester win over Brighton

    Kelechi Iheanacho and Daniel Amartey inspired Leicester’s second-half fightback to beat Brighton 2-1 at the Amex Stadium.

    Adam Lallana scored his first goal for Brighton in the 10th minute and was close to adding a second when he hit the post with a header before halftime.

    Brighton also had a goal disallowed in the first half but Leicester improved after the break and Kelechi Iheanacho equalised in the 62nd minute.

    The hosts looked nervy late on and Amartey stooped to head in from close range in the 88th minute.

    It was tough on Brighton, who remained down in 16th position, three points above the relegation zone after three narrow defeats in a row.

    Leicester moved two points ahead of Manchester United into second place with 53 points from 28 games. United face runaway leaders Manchester City on Sunday.

  • Arteta showers praises on Willian after win

    Arteta showers praises on Willian after win

    Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta has heaped praises on Willian for his display in their win against Leicester City.

    The winger contributed two assists in their 3-1 win against the foxes after providing one assist midweek against Benfica.

    It capped off a fine individual performance from the Brazilian forward, as Mikel Arteta is delighted that he is starting to see the best of him.

    “He was really good,” Arteta said during his post-match press conference. “We’ve seen that in training the last few weeks. He’s rebuilding himself and he’s not accepted the situation.

    “I think he was the player who changed the game against Benfica in the last few moments when he came on, and today I think he was terrific.

    “The same with the other senior players. Laca, I think the way he played, Nico grew in the game and had a big impact as well. Granit as well. A player who has played that many minutes, to play with the heart and the passion he showed in every action, I think it’s a great example for the rest of the players.”

  • Tottenham​ chief wants Brendan Rodgers if Mourinho leaves

    Tottenham​ chief wants Brendan Rodgers if Mourinho leaves

    Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has identified a replacement should Jose Mourinho leave the club.

    The Portuguese is under some pressure given recent results, and the fact Spurs have slipped out of the Premier League top four.

    According to Eurosport, Levy does have some issues with Mourinho’s management, including the sidelining of Dele Alli.

    However, Mourinho is not in immediate danger.

    Should he depart, Spurs will target Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers.

  • Leicester inflict more woes on Liverpool

    Leicester inflict more woes on Liverpool

    Leicester City inflicted more woes on Liverpool on Saturday, defeating the Reds 3-1 at home, moving to second on the premier league table.

    After a cagey first half with no goal for either side, Liverpool took the lead on 67 minutes of play through Mohamed Salah.

    Roberto Firmino played in Salah, who showed great determination to get to the ball before a couple of defenders and from inside the box he shot into the left side of the net.

    Leicester levelled on 78 minutes through James Maddison.

    Maddison showcased his brilliant free kick ability, particularly from a distance like this. He hit the ball perfectly and it ended up inside the right post.

    Jamie Vardy made it 2-1 for Leicester on 81 minutes, seizing on the loose ball after a huge error from Alisson and found the back of the net from inside the box.

    The home side made it 3-1 through Harvey Barnes on 85 minutes, who after getting on the end of a brilliant pass fired a precise shot that went inside the right post.

     

     

  • FA Cup: Iheanacho sends Leicester through to Quarter finals with late goal

    FA Cup: Iheanacho sends Leicester through to Quarter finals with late goal

    Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho struck deep into stoppage time to send Leicester City into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, on Wednesday.

    Extra time loomed when Ihenacho was picked out at the far post from a corner and he headed home.

    Both sides had goals ruled out within the space of a minute in the second half, Andi Zeqiri for Brighton and Cengiz Under for the hosts.

    Leicester also suffered a blow when James Justin was carried off on a stretcher after jarring his knee.

    Iheanacho’s late intervention, however, made sure it was Leicester who moved through and they were joined in the last eight by the Premier League’s bottom club Sheffield United who beat Championship side Bristol City 1-0.

  • Ndidi will be back in action soon, says Leicester City boss

    Ndidi will be back in action soon, says Leicester City boss

    Leicester City manager Brendan expects Wilfred Ndidi to return to action for the Foxes soon but has ruled out the midfielder from Wednesday’s (today) league clash against Fulham.

    The Nigeria international missed Leicester’s 3-1 home defeat to Leeds United on Sunday due to harmstring injury.

    Rodgers is however hopeful Ndidi will be up and running again after the minor setback.

    “We’re hopeful that Jamie, towards the weekend, won’t be too far away, which will be great news for us. That’s what we anticipate with him,” Rodgers told the media at LCFC Training Ground.

    “Wilf won’t be too much longer after that. It’s just the nature of this season. If you look at how compact the games are and the intensity of them, it’s very, very difficult for players.

    “I think the players have been amazing in terms of the level of performance they’re giving considering the intensity of the games and how close they are together. It’s just something you have to cope with.”

    Ndidi spent around three months on the sidelines earlier in the season as a result of groin injury.

    The 24-year-old has scored one goal in 11 league appearances for the former Premier League champions this season.