Ruud van Nistelrooy did excactly what we hoped he would, bringing on a team that could potentially win and entertain the home crowd at King Power Stadium.
A starting position for Facundo Bounanotte, and if he dares to put this man on the bench again, crusifiction might the word used. We like to see Bounanotte and El Khannouss on the field at the same time, to double the creativity and chances created, and today you got the answer, they will produce what no one else can do among the other players in this squad.
On a foggy afternoon Leicester started the game on the front foot, James Justin scoring from inside the box after 8 minutes, showing his worth straight away.
But from that positive start it was strange to see QPR taking over more and more, getting even after 18 minutes. Harry Winks had a troubled day as his interaction was close to a disaster, making this error and later also handing QPR their second goal.
Safely through 🏆
Delivered by @bcgame #LEIQPR pic.twitter.com/CERpRDCfWz
— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 11, 2025
Leicester managed to get their game back in good shape, El Khannouss and Bounanotte doing the most to keep that going. Mavididi scored after 35 minutes, then 3 minutes later, Bounanotte scored the goal of the game, starting the attack himself, playing up as El Khannouss came down the left to chip the ball into the penalty area were Bounanotte turned up again with a magic header. This is why you cannot have to play these to fantastic footballers, Leicester do not have anything to replace them with, they are full internationals for their nations Argentina and Morocco, both aged 20, please stop the nonsence once and for all, both need to be on the field from start in every game all into the final stages of this season.
But as earlier written a certain Harry Winks must in real step up his game completely, he is the master of the backpass, doing this again when the first half was close to finished, serving the ball with an elegant pass straight into the feet of QPR’s Kolli, and his well placed shot from close distance found the goal, 2-3.
Leicester came out second half and started well, being a rewarded a penalty after 51 minutes, the ball was stopped with a hand, as Jamie Vardy converted from the spot. Leicester more or less controlled everything from this minute and into the final stages of the game.
James Justin again striked with a good finish inside the QPR penalty area, scoring his second on the day. Leicester were 5-2 up. Then towards the end Wout Faes came first on a pass to Michael Frey, took his run well and his shot from distance found the net, a real quality finish from the Belgian international, 6-2.
Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy needed a win as that will always lift spirit, this time he got everything completely correct, from his starting eleven, all substitutions done and of course great to see this happening. Leicester are now through to the 4th round and hopefully positives can be used to get a good result at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, possibly a win and very much needed.
- Positives
- Bounanotte and El Khannouss showing us all why they are so important for this Leicester team
- James Justin scoring two goal after a bit of difficulties in the recent games, good to see him not dropped
- Stephy Mavididi being used correctly having a good game up front
- Scoring 6 goals in a football game shows that there is pure quality in this side, despite a group of fans going after certain players, not really helping
- Wout Faes scoring with a screamer, also showing why he should be playing in this team
- Giving a great number of players a chance, using all subs on the day
- Getting the game plan correctly as well as all substitutions
- Leicester very effective, scoring on most of the chances created
- Negatives
- Harry Winks, he had a stinker today, giving away to backpasses that in real shows why this team suffers at times as players decide to play the ball in the wrong directions too many times and especially in the start or the end of a half, just push it forward and away from dangerous areas
Player Ratings: Stolarczyk 5, Justin 8, Kristiansen 7, Faes 7, Coady 6, Winks 4, El Khannouss 8, Vardy 6, Soumare 6, Mavididi 6, Bounanotte 7 Subs: Daka, Okoli, Skipp, De Cordova-Reid, Ayew
- Leicester City, Man of the Match
Match Stats (H/A)
- Possession: 54 / 46
- Shots on Target: 6 / 3
- Corners: 2 / 6
- Fouls: 9 / 11
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