Enzo Maresca signalled changes in front of the game, giving starts to Jamie Vardy, Conor Coady and Hamza Choudhury, resting James Justin, Ricardo Pereira and Patson Daka.
Leicester took advantage from start but early on West Brom made no secret about their attention to not give up without a massive fight, despite being without their top goalscorer Thomas-Asante.
The push for a goal was so immense from West Brom that Mads Hermansen had a busy first half also helped by Hamza Choudhury saving on the line early in the first half, keeping Leicester in the game, but all those chances missed made it possible for Leicester to come back.
Wilfred Ndidi scored for Leicester after 22 minutes, tapping in an attempt from Jamie Vardy. This was a bit against chances created, but who cares, a goal is a goal and Leicester are 1-0 up, fantastic feeling.
Then just minutes before the end of first half, the game took another dramatic turn. Jamie Vardy was brought down just inside the area and a penalty was given, but the striker’s effort struck the post.
First half was one in real bumping in both directions, but to say Leicester were a bit lucky could be close to the truth. Leicester came out second half a bit more aggressive but still on counterattacks coming into trouble with a massive double goal line save from Hamza Choudhury as he showed great spirit and toughness in his play today, a real warrior out there.
Then when Leicester wide man Stephy Mavadidi found Jamie Vardy inside the box in the 65th minute, and the latter scoring with a nice header, we thought this game was taken to bed, but as we all know a 2-0 lead can be a difficult one, even with few minutes left.
A fantastic pass from ex Leicester man Cedric Kipre, found Jed Wallace who was clinical and send his shot passed Mads Hermansen and this time no Hamza Choudhury to clear the ball over the line, so to see this happen after 76 minutes made it all an open affair again.
Enzo Maresca decided to make a number of changes late on in the game, bringing on Dennis Praet for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, James Justin for Stephy Mavdidi and Patson Daka for Jamie Vardy. All three fought well and helped Leicester to keep their lead all into a 6 minute stoppage time period.
This was a massive win for Leicester and hopefully the quality of the team will also see the next hurdle on Tuesday a possible one to climb, but still Southampton are on a great run at the moment and will be a difficult act when they arrive.
- Positives
- Scoring goals, Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi shows their edge and importance
- Hamza Choudhury today was what we would like to see in all games played, a good performance
- Conor Coady giving the team more energy and willingness as he is vocal and can call on people, probably the most important move made by Enzo Meresca today
- Mads Hermansen balancing his play well today without any major mistakes
- Enzo Maresca to be told, more possession is not needed to win football games, 43% was enough today
- Negatives
- Again yellow cards were picked up and should have been avoided
- Not able to create much in front of West Brom goal
- Harry Winks, he needs to step up, he is not driving this midfield as well as he should
- Letting in a sloppy goal, not having cover and good balance when the pass comes to Wallace
- Jamie Vardy missing his penalty
Player Ratings: Hermansen 7, Choudhury 8, Faes 5, Vestergaard 7, Coady 6, Winks 6, Dewsbury-Hall 6, Mavididi 5, Fatawu 5, Vardy 8, Ndidi 6, Subs: Praet, Daka, Justin
- Leicester City, Man of the Match
Match Stats (H/A)
- Possession: 47 / 53
- Shots on Target: 11 / 18
- Corners: 4 / 6
- Fouls: 15 / 13