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THE LATEST LEICESTER CITY FC NEWS
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Seven senior professionals are among those confirmed to leave Leicester City upon the expiration of their respective contracts this June.
Youri Tielemans, Çağlar Söyüncü, Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy, Ryan Bertrand, Ayoze Pérez and Tetê will all bring their spells at King Power Stadium to an end.
The Club remains in discussions with captain Jonny Evans with regard to his future beyond the expiration of his current deal this month, while an option has been exercised to extend the contract of midfielder Hamza Choudhury to June 2024.
Tielemans made many memorable contributions across 195 appearances for the Foxes since first joining the Club on loan from AS Monaco in January 2019. Having made the move permanent that summer, Youri will be best remembered for his magnificent winning goal in the 2021 Emirates FA Cup Final that ended City’s 137-year wait to lift the trophy at Wembley Stadium.
During his four-year spell on Filbert Way, the Belgian midfielder has played a key role, captaining the team on a number of occasions and scoring an array of outstanding goals. Following his FA Cup Final heroics, he was named the Club's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season in the summer of 2021.
Signed from German outfit Freiburg in August 2018, Turkish defender Söyüncü has also amassed over a century of appearances for City, becoming a fan favourite and helping the Club to Emirates FA Cup and FA Community Shield honours.
Amartey and Mendy, meanwhile, both moved to Filbert Way in 2016, with the former making the first five of his near-150 appearances for City during the Club’s Premier League title-winning season. Amartey went on to feature for the Club in all domestic competitions, and three European campaigns. Mendy joined in the summer of 2016 and went on to make over 100 appearances, including 24 this past season, with his only goal for the Club proving a memorable one in a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in February.
Pérez, who famously scored a hat-trick in a record 9-0 win over Southampton in 2019, signed from Newcastle United in July of that year. He made 114 appearances for the Club, including the FA Cup Final in 2021 where he made a vital contribution to Tielemans’ memorable winner. He spent the second half of 2022/23 on loan at Spanish side Real Betis.
Brazilian winger Tetê, who moved to City in January on a short-term deal during the suspension of his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk, will return to the Ukrainian side on 1 July, while defender Bertrand also departs two seasons after signing on a free transfer.
The Football Club extends its thanks to all seven players for their contributions during their time with Leicester City and wishes them every success in the next stages of their respective careers.
LCFC.COM
Youri Tielemans, Çağlar Söyüncü, Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy, Ryan Bertrand, Ayoze Pérez and Tetê will all bring their spells at King Power Stadium to an end.
The Club remains in discussions with captain Jonny Evans with regard to his future beyond the expiration of his current deal this month, while an option has been exercised to extend the contract of midfielder Hamza Choudhury to June 2024.
Tielemans made many memorable contributions across 195 appearances for the Foxes since first joining the Club on loan from AS Monaco in January 2019. Having made the move permanent that summer, Youri will be best remembered for his magnificent winning goal in the 2021 Emirates FA Cup Final that ended City’s 137-year wait to lift the trophy at Wembley Stadium.
During his four-year spell on Filbert Way, the Belgian midfielder has played a key role, captaining the team on a number of occasions and scoring an array of outstanding goals. Following his FA Cup Final heroics, he was named the Club's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season in the summer of 2021.
Signed from German outfit Freiburg in August 2018, Turkish defender Söyüncü has also amassed over a century of appearances for City, becoming a fan favourite and helping the Club to Emirates FA Cup and FA Community Shield honours.
Amartey and Mendy, meanwhile, both moved to Filbert Way in 2016, with the former making the first five of his near-150 appearances for City during the Club’s Premier League title-winning season. Amartey went on to feature for the Club in all domestic competitions, and three European campaigns. Mendy joined in the summer of 2016 and went on to make over 100 appearances, including 24 this past season, with his only goal for the Club proving a memorable one in a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in February.
Pérez, who famously scored a hat-trick in a record 9-0 win over Southampton in 2019, signed from Newcastle United in July of that year. He made 114 appearances for the Club, including the FA Cup Final in 2021 where he made a vital contribution to Tielemans’ memorable winner. He spent the second half of 2022/23 on loan at Spanish side Real Betis.
Brazilian winger Tetê, who moved to City in January on a short-term deal during the suspension of his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk, will return to the Ukrainian side on 1 July, while defender Bertrand also departs two seasons after signing on a free transfer.
The Football Club extends its thanks to all seven players for their contributions during their time with Leicester City and wishes them every success in the next stages of their respective careers.
LCFC.COM
Youri Tielemans: Leicester City midfielder bids 'heartfelt farewell' to supporters
Youri Tielemans has bid a "heartfelt farewell" to Leicester City fans in a video message on his Instagram account.
The Belgium midfielder's contract with the Foxes runs out this summer.
The 26-year-old, who scored the winner in the 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea, leaves the King Power Stadium after relegation to the Championship.
"Dear Leicester City fans, after four and a half special years and with a lot of gratitude, I am bidding farewell to this incredible club," he said.
"From the first day I set foot on this ground, your warmth and passion embraced me.
"Victory and triumph, love, hope and even defeat, we have shared many special moments together. I am forever grateful for your unwavering support."
Tielemans joined initially on loan from Monaco in January 2019 and his move was made permanent in a then club-record £40m deal in July of that year.
He made 195 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 28 goals. He also has 58 caps for Belgium.
A series of commanding performances in midfield under former manager Brendan Rodgers helped Leicester to top-half finishes in the Premier League and qualification for Europe, including a run to the Europa Conference League semi-finals last season.
"Thank you to Khun Top [Leicester chairman and owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha], the board, the staff, the players and fans for having given me and my family a home," Tielemans added.
"This is not a goodbye, but a heartfelt farewell, with pride, love and eternal gratitude."
BBC Sport
Youri Tielemans has bid a "heartfelt farewell" to Leicester City fans in a video message on his Instagram account.
The Belgium midfielder's contract with the Foxes runs out this summer.
The 26-year-old, who scored the winner in the 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea, leaves the King Power Stadium after relegation to the Championship.
"Dear Leicester City fans, after four and a half special years and with a lot of gratitude, I am bidding farewell to this incredible club," he said.
"From the first day I set foot on this ground, your warmth and passion embraced me.
"Victory and triumph, love, hope and even defeat, we have shared many special moments together. I am forever grateful for your unwavering support."
Tielemans joined initially on loan from Monaco in January 2019 and his move was made permanent in a then club-record £40m deal in July of that year.
He made 195 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 28 goals. He also has 58 caps for Belgium.
A series of commanding performances in midfield under former manager Brendan Rodgers helped Leicester to top-half finishes in the Premier League and qualification for Europe, including a run to the Europa Conference League semi-finals last season.
"Thank you to Khun Top [Leicester chairman and owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha], the board, the staff, the players and fans for having given me and my family a home," Tielemans added.
"This is not a goodbye, but a heartfelt farewell, with pride, love and eternal gratitude."
BBC Sport
Leicester City 2-1 West Ham United
The Foxes are relegated
Leicester's game finished before Everton's, which meant the Foxes players had to wait on the pitch for confirmation to come through that they were relegated.
Some huddled around defender Victor Kristiansen's phone, but any glimmer of hope was extinguished when the full-time whistle blew at Goodison.
Many of the crowd jeered, but some did afford their players a generous ovation when they applauded the fans before heading down the tunnel and out of the top flight.
Leicester have been the architects of their own downfall, ending a wretched season with just three wins from their final 17 games and keeping just one clean sheet since November.
Dean Smith's mandate when he was appointed in April was to preserve the status of a side that were shock champions only seven years ago, but nine points from his eight games in charge was simply not enough.
And that means relegation to the Championship just six years after they reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
Smith said he would speak to chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha in the next couple of days.
Barnes' delightful finish and a 1-0 half-time lead gave the Foxes optimism they may just stay alive.
But after Everton took the lead through Abdoulaye Doucoure's brilliant strike, Faes' goal mattered little as Bournemouth could not find a way through.
Leicester supporters did break out into cheers on a number of occasions as news spread of a Cherries 'equaliser' - but each time it was a false dawn.
A summer of upheaval follows for the Foxes, with Maddison and Barnes the most sellable assets, and seven players and manager Smith out of contrac
Shamoon Hafez, BBC Sport at King Power Stadium
The Foxes are relegated
Leicester's game finished before Everton's, which meant the Foxes players had to wait on the pitch for confirmation to come through that they were relegated.
Some huddled around defender Victor Kristiansen's phone, but any glimmer of hope was extinguished when the full-time whistle blew at Goodison.
Many of the crowd jeered, but some did afford their players a generous ovation when they applauded the fans before heading down the tunnel and out of the top flight.
Leicester have been the architects of their own downfall, ending a wretched season with just three wins from their final 17 games and keeping just one clean sheet since November.
Dean Smith's mandate when he was appointed in April was to preserve the status of a side that were shock champions only seven years ago, but nine points from his eight games in charge was simply not enough.
And that means relegation to the Championship just six years after they reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
Smith said he would speak to chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha in the next couple of days.
Barnes' delightful finish and a 1-0 half-time lead gave the Foxes optimism they may just stay alive.
But after Everton took the lead through Abdoulaye Doucoure's brilliant strike, Faes' goal mattered little as Bournemouth could not find a way through.
Leicester supporters did break out into cheers on a number of occasions as news spread of a Cherries 'equaliser' - but each time it was a false dawn.
A summer of upheaval follows for the Foxes, with Maddison and Barnes the most sellable assets, and seven players and manager Smith out of contrac
Shamoon Hafez, BBC Sport at King Power Stadium
Smith believes pressure is on Everton following Newcastle draw
Leicester City's Premier League status is hanging by a thread after a 0-0 draw at Newcastle United on Monday took their survival out of their own hands, but manager Dean Smith says the result heaped the pressure on Everton.Heading into final Sunday when they host West Ham United,
Leicester are 18th with 31 points, two less than Everton who are at home to Bournemouth on the final day and above 19th-placed Leeds on goal difference.
Leicester also have a better goal difference than Everton so if they beat West Ham, Everton will also have to beat Bournemouth to preserve their 69-year tenure in the top flight.
Smith, whose side defended for the vast majority of the game at Newcastle and were saved by the woodwork three times, said that at least they have still have a chance after many had written off the 2016 champions.
"I think we have (put pressure on Everton). If they draw and we win we stay up. I did say it might be down to goal difference," Smith, who took over until the end of the season following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers in April, said.
"We have got a tough game against West Ham who have just qualified for a European final. Their manager is a good friend of mine, David Moyes, he's someone I have a lot of respect for and he will make it a really tough game for us.
"But we've made Everton have to win if we win ourselves. That performance (against Newcastle) was what supporters deserved with all the travelling they've done this season, and it was a clean sheet they deserved."
It promises to be a nerve-jangling final day for fans of Leicester, Everton and Leeds.
"We're going to need help. I think there's going to be a lot of anxiety between the three teams that are in it," Smith said.
"If Everton win... we obviously will give it our best shot and as long as we can say that we have fought tooth and nail, all we can do is put pressure on them."
Flashscore.co.uk
Leicester City's Premier League status is hanging by a thread after a 0-0 draw at Newcastle United on Monday took their survival out of their own hands, but manager Dean Smith says the result heaped the pressure on Everton.Heading into final Sunday when they host West Ham United,
Leicester are 18th with 31 points, two less than Everton who are at home to Bournemouth on the final day and above 19th-placed Leeds on goal difference.
Leicester also have a better goal difference than Everton so if they beat West Ham, Everton will also have to beat Bournemouth to preserve their 69-year tenure in the top flight.
Smith, whose side defended for the vast majority of the game at Newcastle and were saved by the woodwork three times, said that at least they have still have a chance after many had written off the 2016 champions.
"I think we have (put pressure on Everton). If they draw and we win we stay up. I did say it might be down to goal difference," Smith, who took over until the end of the season following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers in April, said.
"We have got a tough game against West Ham who have just qualified for a European final. Their manager is a good friend of mine, David Moyes, he's someone I have a lot of respect for and he will make it a really tough game for us.
"But we've made Everton have to win if we win ourselves. That performance (against Newcastle) was what supporters deserved with all the travelling they've done this season, and it was a clean sheet they deserved."
It promises to be a nerve-jangling final day for fans of Leicester, Everton and Leeds.
"We're going to need help. I think there's going to be a lot of anxiety between the three teams that are in it," Smith said.
"If Everton win... we obviously will give it our best shot and as long as we can say that we have fought tooth and nail, all we can do is put pressure on them."
Flashscore.co.uk
Newcastle United 0-0 Leicester City
Leicester hold on for Newcastle draw to keep survival hopes alive
Newcastle United booked their spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) despite being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw with Leicester City, whose albeit slim hopes of Premier League (PL) survival remain alive heading into the final matchday.
Having dispatched Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday to guarantee the return of European football to St James’ Park, the hosts knew just one point from their final two PL matches would secure UCL qualification for the first time in two decades.
The visit of lowly Leicester - winless in their last seven away league matches (D2, L5) - looked to be a favourable fixture on paper for the Magpies, and true to form, it was the hosts who dominated the opening half-hour.
Despite the one-sided nature of the contest, a distinct lack of cutting edge in the final third proved problematic for Newcastle, as Miguel Almirón and Alexander Isak fired speculative efforts wastefully over the bar.
Having failed to capitalise on their promising start, the hosts continued to probe for an opener before HT, and their persistence was nearly rewarded when Callum Wilson and Almirón both struck the woodwork within the space of two minutes.
Grateful to still be level at the interval, Leicester emerged after the restart eager to gain a foothold in the contest.
However, similar to the first half, it was the hosts who quickly stamped their authority on proceedings, as Isak saw a fierce strike tipped over the bar by Daniel Iversen.
That reprieve did little to spark the visitors into life, who remained somewhat content to sit back and soak up the pressure with time ticking into the final 20 minutes.
Spurred on by the fervent home crowd, Newcastle continued their search for a late winner.
However, the woodwork came to the Foxes’ rescue for a third time when Bruno Guimarães failed to convert from point-blank range, leaving the hosts to settle for the point which secures their return to Europe’s elite.
As for Leicester, they remain two points adrift of safety going into the final matchday, knowing only a victory against West Ham United, as well as dropped points for Everton, will be enough to preserve their top-flight status.
Flashscore.co.uk
Leicester hold on for Newcastle draw to keep survival hopes alive
Newcastle United booked their spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) despite being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw with Leicester City, whose albeit slim hopes of Premier League (PL) survival remain alive heading into the final matchday.
Having dispatched Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday to guarantee the return of European football to St James’ Park, the hosts knew just one point from their final two PL matches would secure UCL qualification for the first time in two decades.
The visit of lowly Leicester - winless in their last seven away league matches (D2, L5) - looked to be a favourable fixture on paper for the Magpies, and true to form, it was the hosts who dominated the opening half-hour.
Despite the one-sided nature of the contest, a distinct lack of cutting edge in the final third proved problematic for Newcastle, as Miguel Almirón and Alexander Isak fired speculative efforts wastefully over the bar.
Having failed to capitalise on their promising start, the hosts continued to probe for an opener before HT, and their persistence was nearly rewarded when Callum Wilson and Almirón both struck the woodwork within the space of two minutes.
Grateful to still be level at the interval, Leicester emerged after the restart eager to gain a foothold in the contest.
However, similar to the first half, it was the hosts who quickly stamped their authority on proceedings, as Isak saw a fierce strike tipped over the bar by Daniel Iversen.
That reprieve did little to spark the visitors into life, who remained somewhat content to sit back and soak up the pressure with time ticking into the final 20 minutes.
Spurred on by the fervent home crowd, Newcastle continued their search for a late winner.
However, the woodwork came to the Foxes’ rescue for a third time when Bruno Guimarães failed to convert from point-blank range, leaving the hosts to settle for the point which secures their return to Europe’s elite.
As for Leicester, they remain two points adrift of safety going into the final matchday, knowing only a victory against West Ham United, as well as dropped points for Everton, will be enough to preserve their top-flight status.
Flashscore.co.uk
Leicester City 0-3 Liverpool
Liverpool drubbing deals huge blow to Leicester's survival hopes
Liverpool kept their hopes of a top-four finish alive with a comfortable 3-0 Premier League (PL) victory over Leicester City, leaving the Foxes two points from safety with just two games to go.A leaky defence has been the main culprit for Leicester's perilous league position, so the visit of a Reds side which has dished out 7-0 and 9-0 victories this campaign might have been cause for concern.
But despite a disastrous run which has seen Leicester go without a clean sheet in 20 consecutive PL outings, it was Liverpool’s defence that was the busiest early on, with Jamie Vardy forcing Alisson Becker into a smart save with just under 15 minutes gone.
Having secured more than twice as many points at home than away this season, a Jekyll and Hyde Jürgen Klopp side looked to be struggling before a revitalised Curtis Jones struck a quickfire double after the half-hour mark to put Liverpool in charge.
It was Jones’ second which caught the eye, and, just three minutes after netting from close range, his sumptuous half-volley from the edge of the area left Daniel Iversen powerless as it sailed into the top left-hand corner.
That double blow shortly before HT winded the Foxes who struggled to rouse themselves in the early stages of the second half.
This left a comfortable-looking Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has shone for Liverpool in a midfield role in recent weeks, to dictate play as the visitors took control of the game.
That dominance almost became complacency, with Liverpool once again thankful to Alisson after the Brazilian’s superb save thwarted Harvey Barnes’ curling effort before the hour mark.
That would be as close as Leicester came to mounting a comeback however, after a moment of magic settled the game.
Mohamed Salah’s lay-off from a free-kick saw Alexander-Arnold smash home a wonderful effort from 25 yards, capping off another tough night for the hosts.
A penny for Dean Smith’s thoughts, who will know that his side need to raise their game immediately if they’re to avoid playing Championship football for the first time since 2013/14.
Flashscore.co.uk
Liverpool drubbing deals huge blow to Leicester's survival hopes
Liverpool kept their hopes of a top-four finish alive with a comfortable 3-0 Premier League (PL) victory over Leicester City, leaving the Foxes two points from safety with just two games to go.A leaky defence has been the main culprit for Leicester's perilous league position, so the visit of a Reds side which has dished out 7-0 and 9-0 victories this campaign might have been cause for concern.
But despite a disastrous run which has seen Leicester go without a clean sheet in 20 consecutive PL outings, it was Liverpool’s defence that was the busiest early on, with Jamie Vardy forcing Alisson Becker into a smart save with just under 15 minutes gone.
Having secured more than twice as many points at home than away this season, a Jekyll and Hyde Jürgen Klopp side looked to be struggling before a revitalised Curtis Jones struck a quickfire double after the half-hour mark to put Liverpool in charge.
It was Jones’ second which caught the eye, and, just three minutes after netting from close range, his sumptuous half-volley from the edge of the area left Daniel Iversen powerless as it sailed into the top left-hand corner.
That double blow shortly before HT winded the Foxes who struggled to rouse themselves in the early stages of the second half.
This left a comfortable-looking Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has shone for Liverpool in a midfield role in recent weeks, to dictate play as the visitors took control of the game.
That dominance almost became complacency, with Liverpool once again thankful to Alisson after the Brazilian’s superb save thwarted Harvey Barnes’ curling effort before the hour mark.
That would be as close as Leicester came to mounting a comeback however, after a moment of magic settled the game.
Mohamed Salah’s lay-off from a free-kick saw Alexander-Arnold smash home a wonderful effort from 25 yards, capping off another tough night for the hosts.
A penny for Dean Smith’s thoughts, who will know that his side need to raise their game immediately if they’re to avoid playing Championship football for the first time since 2013/14.
Flashscore.co.uk
Fulham 5-3 Leicester City
Fulham pile misery on Leicester as relegation fears deepen
Fulham inflicted a 5-3 defeat on Leicester City to compound the Foxes’ struggles towards the bottom of the Premier League (PL) table, while also making up for their defeat in the reverse.There was a brief delay to kick-off as referee Robert Jones sorted out his technical equipment, but Fulham’s hold on the game was immediate once the action started.
Set-piece deliveries were proving particularly difficult for the Foxes to deal with, and having already scored against two other teams embroiled in the relegation battle this term, Willian delivered a free-kick that floated through the box and past Daniel Iversen in the 10th minute.
Fulham continued to cut through the Foxes with ease as Harry Wilson slipped through Carlos Vinícius, who calmly slid the ball out of Iversen’s reach. There was no relief for Dean Smith’s frail backline, as Tom Cairney cut inside Çağlar Söyüncü and struck home before the break.
Having not previously scored a single goal all season, Cairney had another six minutes into the second period as the midfielder exquisitely controlled Kenny Tete’s pass and gave Iversen no chance with his clinical finish.
The Foxes finally had a glimmer of joy before the hour, as James Maddison teed up Harvey Barnes for an opportunity that the winger fired in off the crossbar.
That briefly turned into hope when Bernd Leno clumsily took out Jamie Vardy for a penalty, although the German quickly snatched it away again by saving the striker’s spot-kick. Willian then added to the visitors’ misery, drifting into the middle with ease and curling a wonderful effort inside the post.
Yet more goals came, as Maddison was brought down by João Palhinha and converted the ensuing penalty, before Patson Daka capitalised on a poor header from Shane Duffy to set up Barnes for a simple finish. Even so, Fulham comfortably ended their run of three consecutive defeats, giving themselves a buffer on Chelsea as the Cottagers aim to stay in the top half.
Leicester’s ambition is simply to stay in the league, and the Foxes will be looking over their shoulders after enduring a third winless game, with Everton playing later today before Nottingham Forest and Southampton face off.
Flashscore.co.uk
Fulham pile misery on Leicester as relegation fears deepen
Fulham inflicted a 5-3 defeat on Leicester City to compound the Foxes’ struggles towards the bottom of the Premier League (PL) table, while also making up for their defeat in the reverse.There was a brief delay to kick-off as referee Robert Jones sorted out his technical equipment, but Fulham’s hold on the game was immediate once the action started.
Set-piece deliveries were proving particularly difficult for the Foxes to deal with, and having already scored against two other teams embroiled in the relegation battle this term, Willian delivered a free-kick that floated through the box and past Daniel Iversen in the 10th minute.
Fulham continued to cut through the Foxes with ease as Harry Wilson slipped through Carlos Vinícius, who calmly slid the ball out of Iversen’s reach. There was no relief for Dean Smith’s frail backline, as Tom Cairney cut inside Çağlar Söyüncü and struck home before the break.
Having not previously scored a single goal all season, Cairney had another six minutes into the second period as the midfielder exquisitely controlled Kenny Tete’s pass and gave Iversen no chance with his clinical finish.
The Foxes finally had a glimmer of joy before the hour, as James Maddison teed up Harvey Barnes for an opportunity that the winger fired in off the crossbar.
That briefly turned into hope when Bernd Leno clumsily took out Jamie Vardy for a penalty, although the German quickly snatched it away again by saving the striker’s spot-kick. Willian then added to the visitors’ misery, drifting into the middle with ease and curling a wonderful effort inside the post.
Yet more goals came, as Maddison was brought down by João Palhinha and converted the ensuing penalty, before Patson Daka capitalised on a poor header from Shane Duffy to set up Barnes for a simple finish. Even so, Fulham comfortably ended their run of three consecutive defeats, giving themselves a buffer on Chelsea as the Cottagers aim to stay in the top half.
Leicester’s ambition is simply to stay in the league, and the Foxes will be looking over their shoulders after enduring a third winless game, with Everton playing later today before Nottingham Forest and Southampton face off.
Flashscore.co.uk
Leicester City 2-2 Everton
Horrendous Maddison penalty coats City
By www.flashscore.co.uk
Leicester and Everton settle for point apiece in relegation battle
In a result neither team would have settled for beforehand, a classic relegation six-pointer ended all square as both Leicester City and Everton came from behind but failed to find a winner in an enthralling 2-2 draw.With relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Southampton all losing over the weekend, fans inside the King Power Stadium knew three points could be season-defining in maintaining top-flight status.
Defensive nerves clearly played their part moments later as referee Michael Oliver showed no hesitancy in pointing to the spot after a clumsy foul from Timothy Castagne on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Having gone nine PL games without a goal against the Foxes, Calvert-Lewin showed great courage to step up and made no mistake, firing centrally to open the scoring.
Dean Smith’s men didn’t lie down though, hitting back just seven minutes later through Çağlar Söyüncü, who swept home on the half-volley despite a slip after the Toffees failed to clear a set-piece.
Atmosphere had reached fever-pitch inside the stadium and Jamie Vardy, who hadn’t scored in 15 PL starts prior to tonight, rolled back the years to put his side in front with a trademark goal.
After being set free by James Maddison, the 36-year-old showed a clean pair of heels to Michael Keane before rounding Jordan Pickford and tapping into an open net.
Things went from bad to worse for Keane in a half that he will want to forget as he handled a Harvey Barnes’ cross moments before HT and conceded a penalty.
Maddison stepped up and copied Calvert-Lewin in shooting straight down the middle, but unfortunately for him Pickford had anticipated the move and held firm.
That save saw the pendulum swing once more, with a Sean Dyche HT team talk seemingly doing the business in firing up his front men.
Iversen was once again on hand to deny Calvert-Lewin with his feet, but could do nothing as Alex Iwobi pulled his side level on the half-volley, pouncing on the second ball as Wout Faes tried to clear.
Both sides went in search of a critical winner, which was almost handed to the Foxes on a plate by Pickford as he got caught in no man's land only for Vardy’s effort to graze the side netting.
In the end both sides settled for a draw as the defences tightened up in the second period, which looks a much better result for the home side considering Everton’s next four fixtures feature three away games and a meeting with defending champions Manchester City at home.
Leicester escaped the drop zone on goal difference and plunged rivals Nottingham Forest into the bottom three, while the Toffees remained 19th.
Horrendous Maddison penalty coats City
By www.flashscore.co.uk
Leicester and Everton settle for point apiece in relegation battle
In a result neither team would have settled for beforehand, a classic relegation six-pointer ended all square as both Leicester City and Everton came from behind but failed to find a winner in an enthralling 2-2 draw.With relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Southampton all losing over the weekend, fans inside the King Power Stadium knew three points could be season-defining in maintaining top-flight status.
Defensive nerves clearly played their part moments later as referee Michael Oliver showed no hesitancy in pointing to the spot after a clumsy foul from Timothy Castagne on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Having gone nine PL games without a goal against the Foxes, Calvert-Lewin showed great courage to step up and made no mistake, firing centrally to open the scoring.
Dean Smith’s men didn’t lie down though, hitting back just seven minutes later through Çağlar Söyüncü, who swept home on the half-volley despite a slip after the Toffees failed to clear a set-piece.
Atmosphere had reached fever-pitch inside the stadium and Jamie Vardy, who hadn’t scored in 15 PL starts prior to tonight, rolled back the years to put his side in front with a trademark goal.
After being set free by James Maddison, the 36-year-old showed a clean pair of heels to Michael Keane before rounding Jordan Pickford and tapping into an open net.
Things went from bad to worse for Keane in a half that he will want to forget as he handled a Harvey Barnes’ cross moments before HT and conceded a penalty.
Maddison stepped up and copied Calvert-Lewin in shooting straight down the middle, but unfortunately for him Pickford had anticipated the move and held firm.
That save saw the pendulum swing once more, with a Sean Dyche HT team talk seemingly doing the business in firing up his front men.
Iversen was once again on hand to deny Calvert-Lewin with his feet, but could do nothing as Alex Iwobi pulled his side level on the half-volley, pouncing on the second ball as Wout Faes tried to clear.
Both sides went in search of a critical winner, which was almost handed to the Foxes on a plate by Pickford as he got caught in no man's land only for Vardy’s effort to graze the side netting.
In the end both sides settled for a draw as the defences tightened up in the second period, which looks a much better result for the home side considering Everton’s next four fixtures feature three away games and a meeting with defending champions Manchester City at home.
Leicester escaped the drop zone on goal difference and plunged rivals Nottingham Forest into the bottom three, while the Toffees remained 19th.
Leeds United 1-1 Leicester City
Jamie Vardy celebrates in front of Leeds fans as Leicester man gets first goal in 15 games and has been the man for the big moment for Leicester over a number of years and scored a huge goal on Tuesday.
Vardy came off the bench against Leeds to score an 80th minute equaliser at Elland Road following a brilliant move by the Foxes.
The 36-year-old netted for the first time in 15 games and celebrated like a man who was ending a goal drought. He ran right in front of the Leeds fans, with some appearing to pelt him with objects.
That goal could have potentially huge ramifications in the relegation battle with both teams scrapping for their Premier League survival. Youri Tielemans thought he had given Leicester an early lead with a goal of the season contending thunderbolt into the top corner. However, VAR then got involved and rightly spotted an offside in the build-up and chalked it off.
Luis Sinisterra was then the man to break the deadlock as the Leeds star headed home a brilliant Jack Harrison cross.
Despite taking the lead in the first half, they surrendered an advantage once again – something they’ve made a habit of this season. Vardy came off the bench and fired home to make things all square and deny Leeds an all important three points.
Patrick Bamford then squandered a glorious chance in the dying minutes, but fluffed his shot wide of the post with no one around him. It means Leicester remain 17th on 29 points, but keep Leeds just one place and point above them.
talkSPORT
Jamie Vardy celebrates in front of Leeds fans as Leicester man gets first goal in 15 games and has been the man for the big moment for Leicester over a number of years and scored a huge goal on Tuesday.
Vardy came off the bench against Leeds to score an 80th minute equaliser at Elland Road following a brilliant move by the Foxes.
The 36-year-old netted for the first time in 15 games and celebrated like a man who was ending a goal drought. He ran right in front of the Leeds fans, with some appearing to pelt him with objects.
That goal could have potentially huge ramifications in the relegation battle with both teams scrapping for their Premier League survival. Youri Tielemans thought he had given Leicester an early lead with a goal of the season contending thunderbolt into the top corner. However, VAR then got involved and rightly spotted an offside in the build-up and chalked it off.
Luis Sinisterra was then the man to break the deadlock as the Leeds star headed home a brilliant Jack Harrison cross.
Despite taking the lead in the first half, they surrendered an advantage once again – something they’ve made a habit of this season. Vardy came off the bench and fired home to make things all square and deny Leeds an all important three points.
Patrick Bamford then squandered a glorious chance in the dying minutes, but fluffed his shot wide of the post with no one around him. It means Leicester remain 17th on 29 points, but keep Leeds just one place and point above them.
talkSPORT
Leicester City 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Leicester grab vital win over Wolves to boost survival hopes
Leicester City secured a huge victory in their fight for Premier League survival, coming from behind to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1.
A first win in 11 matches lifts the Foxes out of the bottom three on goal difference with six games to go.Leicester City went into the match in desperate need for points following a torrid run of form which has seen the Foxes go 10 games without victory.
They were facing a Wolverhampton Wanderers side who had struggled on their travels to the King Power Stadium, winning just once in 25 visits to Leicester, and failing to score at the stadium in the Premier League. Despite this, the visitors opened the scoring after a quarter-hour as Mario Lemina dispossessed Youri Tielemans in the Leicester half, and Matheus Cunha picked the ball up, drifted towards the box and clinically buried his shot from the edge of the box.
Wolves had chances to double their lead but shots from Craig Dawson and Pablo Sarabia both flew inches wide of the goal. They were made to pay as the Foxes were handed a lifeline to equalise thanks to a moment of madness from José Sá.
The Portuguese goalkeeper wiped Jamie Vardy out in the box, and Kelechi Iheanacho slotted the spot kick away to restore parity.
The goal blew momentum in the home side’s way as the Nigerian striker almost gave his side the lead before HT, but Sá saved, despite initially spilling the shot, he managed to recover the ball from Patson Daka’s feet.
The visitors’ shot-stopper was in the thick of the action in the second half, as he once again denied, this time with his feet, before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fired the rebound agonisingly over the bar.
Since equalising, the home side were firmly in the driving seat and their pressure paid dividends with 15 minutes to go. Victor Kristiansen was released down the left wing, and his low cross into the box was fired in with a first time effort by Timothy Castagne.
Wolves, despite winning two in a row haven’t secured safety just yet, and Julen Lopetegui’s men pushed for an equaliser and Rúben Neves came close on two occasions with two freekicks but the first went inches over, and the second was magnificently saved by Daniel Iversen.
Dean Smith’s Leicester City side managed to hold on for a vital three points, and with Everton and Nottingham Forest failing to win, the Foxes moved up to 17th place.
Wolves, meanwhile still have a six point gap on the relegation places, are probably need one more win from their last six fixtures to secure their safety.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)
https://www.flashscore.co.uk/
Leicester grab vital win over Wolves to boost survival hopes
Leicester City secured a huge victory in their fight for Premier League survival, coming from behind to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1.
A first win in 11 matches lifts the Foxes out of the bottom three on goal difference with six games to go.Leicester City went into the match in desperate need for points following a torrid run of form which has seen the Foxes go 10 games without victory.
They were facing a Wolverhampton Wanderers side who had struggled on their travels to the King Power Stadium, winning just once in 25 visits to Leicester, and failing to score at the stadium in the Premier League. Despite this, the visitors opened the scoring after a quarter-hour as Mario Lemina dispossessed Youri Tielemans in the Leicester half, and Matheus Cunha picked the ball up, drifted towards the box and clinically buried his shot from the edge of the box.
Wolves had chances to double their lead but shots from Craig Dawson and Pablo Sarabia both flew inches wide of the goal. They were made to pay as the Foxes were handed a lifeline to equalise thanks to a moment of madness from José Sá.
The Portuguese goalkeeper wiped Jamie Vardy out in the box, and Kelechi Iheanacho slotted the spot kick away to restore parity.
The goal blew momentum in the home side’s way as the Nigerian striker almost gave his side the lead before HT, but Sá saved, despite initially spilling the shot, he managed to recover the ball from Patson Daka’s feet.
The visitors’ shot-stopper was in the thick of the action in the second half, as he once again denied, this time with his feet, before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fired the rebound agonisingly over the bar.
Since equalising, the home side were firmly in the driving seat and their pressure paid dividends with 15 minutes to go. Victor Kristiansen was released down the left wing, and his low cross into the box was fired in with a first time effort by Timothy Castagne.
Wolves, despite winning two in a row haven’t secured safety just yet, and Julen Lopetegui’s men pushed for an equaliser and Rúben Neves came close on two occasions with two freekicks but the first went inches over, and the second was magnificently saved by Daniel Iversen.
Dean Smith’s Leicester City side managed to hold on for a vital three points, and with Everton and Nottingham Forest failing to win, the Foxes moved up to 17th place.
Wolves, meanwhile still have a six point gap on the relegation places, are probably need one more win from their last six fixtures to secure their safety.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)
https://www.flashscore.co.uk/
Manchester City 3-1 Leicester City
Erling Haaland scored twice as Premier League champions Manchester City maintained their winning streak with a dominant victory over relegation-threatened Leicester City.
The hosts cut the gap to league leaders Arsenal to just three points, but Mikel Arteta's men can re-establish their advantage when they face West Ham on Sunday.
It was a thoroughly comfortable day for Pep Guardiola's men, who scored twice in the first 13 minutes through John Stones' thumping effort and Haaland's penalty.
The 22-year-old Norwegian goal machine added his second with a delightfully dinked finish 12 minutes later, but could not add to his tally after being substituted at half-time.
Goalkeeper Daniel Iversen made a superb flying stop to deny Riyad Mahrez's curling strike, the closest the hosts came to a fourth in the second half.
Meanwhile, Dean Smith suffered a nightmare start in his first game in charge of Leicester, although Kelechi Iheanacho grabbed a 75th minute consolation and also hit the post against his old club. The Foxes remain deep in trouble at the wrong end of the table, sitting in 19th position and two points off safety.
This was attack against defence, and was not the start former Aston Villa boss Smith would have wished for, having taken charge of Leicester until the end of the campaign.
A dreadful season shows few signs of improvement, with the Foxes having collected one point from their last nine games. They have earned just eight points since Christmas, the fewest by a top-flight side during that period.
Home goalkeeper Ederson was a virtual bystander for the entire contest, but made a sharp stop to deny James Maddison after substitute Iheanacho had stabbed in from close range.
The Nigerian striker also struck the post in the 90th minute, which would have set up a nervy finish, but ultimately they were well beaten.
Striker Jamie Vardy made his 300th Premier League appearance, but the 36-year-old was given no supply and could not add to the eight goals he has scored against Manchester City before being replaced at the break.
Youri Tielemans returned to the side after six weeks out with an ankle injury and defender Caglar Soyuncu made just his third league appearance of the campaign after falling out of favour under Brendan Rodgers.
Although they curtailed a horror start, Leicester slumped to their 20th league defeat of the season, the same number as bottom-of-the-table Southampton.
BBC Sport
Erling Haaland scored twice as Premier League champions Manchester City maintained their winning streak with a dominant victory over relegation-threatened Leicester City.
The hosts cut the gap to league leaders Arsenal to just three points, but Mikel Arteta's men can re-establish their advantage when they face West Ham on Sunday.
It was a thoroughly comfortable day for Pep Guardiola's men, who scored twice in the first 13 minutes through John Stones' thumping effort and Haaland's penalty.
The 22-year-old Norwegian goal machine added his second with a delightfully dinked finish 12 minutes later, but could not add to his tally after being substituted at half-time.
Goalkeeper Daniel Iversen made a superb flying stop to deny Riyad Mahrez's curling strike, the closest the hosts came to a fourth in the second half.
Meanwhile, Dean Smith suffered a nightmare start in his first game in charge of Leicester, although Kelechi Iheanacho grabbed a 75th minute consolation and also hit the post against his old club. The Foxes remain deep in trouble at the wrong end of the table, sitting in 19th position and two points off safety.
This was attack against defence, and was not the start former Aston Villa boss Smith would have wished for, having taken charge of Leicester until the end of the campaign.
A dreadful season shows few signs of improvement, with the Foxes having collected one point from their last nine games. They have earned just eight points since Christmas, the fewest by a top-flight side during that period.
Home goalkeeper Ederson was a virtual bystander for the entire contest, but made a sharp stop to deny James Maddison after substitute Iheanacho had stabbed in from close range.
The Nigerian striker also struck the post in the 90th minute, which would have set up a nervy finish, but ultimately they were well beaten.
Striker Jamie Vardy made his 300th Premier League appearance, but the 36-year-old was given no supply and could not add to the eight goals he has scored against Manchester City before being replaced at the break.
Youri Tielemans returned to the side after six weeks out with an ankle injury and defender Caglar Soyuncu made just his third league appearance of the campaign after falling out of favour under Brendan Rodgers.
Although they curtailed a horror start, Leicester slumped to their 20th league defeat of the season, the same number as bottom-of-the-table Southampton.
BBC Sport
Leicester appoint Dean Smith as new manager until end of the season as John Terry joins coaching staff
Dean Smith agreed terms with Leicester City on a short-term deal until the end of the season on Sunday; the Foxes are currently 19th in the Premier League and two points from safety
Leicester City have appointed Dean Smith as manager on a deal until the end of the season, with Craig Shakespeare and John Terry as part of the coaching staff.
Smith, who led Aston Villa to the Premier League in 2019, was sacked as Norwich boss in December. He replaces Brendan Rodgers with Leicester 19th in the Premier League, two points from safety.
Shakespeare was part of the coaching team under Claudio Ranieri when Leicester won the Premier League title in 2016, and then took over as boss when the Italian was sacked the following year.
Smith said: "I'm really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these final weeks of the season. The challenge in front of us is clear, but it's one myself and my coaching team have experienced before and, with the quality in this squad and the number of games remaining, it's very much achievable.
"Our first job is to rebuild confidence and instil belief in the team and I'm looking forward to getting to work with the players this week. Saturday will be a big test, but it's the kind of occasion that reminds us all what it means to be a Premier League club, competing on the biggest stages against the best players in the world. I know we'll be well supported by our travelling fans.
"We have to connect with that and give them a performance they can be proud of. We go there positive, looking for points."
Image:Smith's most recent role was at NorwichLeicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: "On behalf of everyone at Leicester City, I'd like to offer Dean a warm welcome to the football club. His leadership, coaching and motivational qualities will be vital assets for us in the coming eight games as we fight to secure our Premier League status.
SKY SPORTS
Dean Smith agreed terms with Leicester City on a short-term deal until the end of the season on Sunday; the Foxes are currently 19th in the Premier League and two points from safety
Leicester City have appointed Dean Smith as manager on a deal until the end of the season, with Craig Shakespeare and John Terry as part of the coaching staff.
Smith, who led Aston Villa to the Premier League in 2019, was sacked as Norwich boss in December. He replaces Brendan Rodgers with Leicester 19th in the Premier League, two points from safety.
Shakespeare was part of the coaching team under Claudio Ranieri when Leicester won the Premier League title in 2016, and then took over as boss when the Italian was sacked the following year.
Smith said: "I'm really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these final weeks of the season. The challenge in front of us is clear, but it's one myself and my coaching team have experienced before and, with the quality in this squad and the number of games remaining, it's very much achievable.
"Our first job is to rebuild confidence and instil belief in the team and I'm looking forward to getting to work with the players this week. Saturday will be a big test, but it's the kind of occasion that reminds us all what it means to be a Premier League club, competing on the biggest stages against the best players in the world. I know we'll be well supported by our travelling fans.
"We have to connect with that and give them a performance they can be proud of. We go there positive, looking for points."
Image:Smith's most recent role was at NorwichLeicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: "On behalf of everyone at Leicester City, I'd like to offer Dean a warm welcome to the football club. His leadership, coaching and motivational qualities will be vital assets for us in the coming eight games as we fight to secure our Premier League status.
SKY SPORTS
Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa
Late Bertrand Traore strike sees Leicester beaten in first game since Brendan Rodgers departure
A late strike from Bertrand Traore saw Aston Villa to a dramatic 2-1 win against managerless Leicester, who are now two points from Premier League safety.
Leicester - who were under the charge of coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell following the departure of Brendan Rodgers on Sunday - looked to be on course for a point before unravelling in the final 25 minutes.
It began as they went down to 10 players in the 70th minute. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was sent off for a second bookable offence, before Bertrand Traore curled home a beautiful winner for Aston Villa after latching onto Wilfried Ndidi's slack pass.
Leicester thought they had won a penalty in injury time too as Ollie Watkins was penalised for handball. But the spot kick was correctly overturned after the Villa striker was fouled by Patson Daka, adding to the Foxes misfortune.
It was the in-form Watkins - making his 100th Aston Villa appearance - who saw the visitors ahead in the first half as he rolled home his sixth successive away goal in the Premier League.
Leicester reacted well to going behind too with some individual brilliance from Harvey Barnes seeing the Foxes level. But a lack of concentration cost them once again after a last-gasp winner from Crystal Palace on Saturday also saw them to a 2-1 defeat that ultimately cost Rodgers his job.
The result sees Leicester slip into 19th place, now two points from safety with nine Premier League games to play. Aston Villa - who are now unbeaten in six league matches - move up to seventh place and remain in the hunt for a European spot next season.
Sky Sports
Late Bertrand Traore strike sees Leicester beaten in first game since Brendan Rodgers departure
A late strike from Bertrand Traore saw Aston Villa to a dramatic 2-1 win against managerless Leicester, who are now two points from Premier League safety.
Leicester - who were under the charge of coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell following the departure of Brendan Rodgers on Sunday - looked to be on course for a point before unravelling in the final 25 minutes.
It began as they went down to 10 players in the 70th minute. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was sent off for a second bookable offence, before Bertrand Traore curled home a beautiful winner for Aston Villa after latching onto Wilfried Ndidi's slack pass.
Leicester thought they had won a penalty in injury time too as Ollie Watkins was penalised for handball. But the spot kick was correctly overturned after the Villa striker was fouled by Patson Daka, adding to the Foxes misfortune.
It was the in-form Watkins - making his 100th Aston Villa appearance - who saw the visitors ahead in the first half as he rolled home his sixth successive away goal in the Premier League.
Leicester reacted well to going behind too with some individual brilliance from Harvey Barnes seeing the Foxes level. But a lack of concentration cost them once again after a last-gasp winner from Crystal Palace on Saturday also saw them to a 2-1 defeat that ultimately cost Rodgers his job.
The result sees Leicester slip into 19th place, now two points from safety with nine Premier League games to play. Aston Villa - who are now unbeaten in six league matches - move up to seventh place and remain in the hunt for a European spot next season.
Sky Sports
Leicester City sacking Brendan Rodgers is a dramatic fall from grace for manager and club
The departure of Brendan Rodgers from Leicester City is the culmination of a dramatic fall from grace for both club and manager - with the fear of falling even further the catalyst behind the move.
Rodgers arrived at the Foxes in February 2019 after winning all seven domestic trophies available to him during a successful tenure at Celtic, leaving the adoration he enjoyed at Parkhead to succeed Claude Puel at the King Power Stadium.
And for a time, 50-year-old Rodgers enhanced a reputation as one of the most progressive coaches in the game as Leicester produced the attacking football that was his trademark, the high point being the club's first FA Cup victory when Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea were beaten 1-0 at Wembley in May 2021.
It assured Rodgers of his place in Leicester history but Saturday's last-minute defeat at Crystal Palace, now under the guidance of returning veteran Roy Hodgson, was the final straw for owners who suddenly saw the spectre of relegation come into even sharper view and could not wait any longer for Rodgers to show signs of inspiring a revival.
Leicester are in the bottom three after six league games without a win, that fear of the drop forcing the board to act in the manner of fellow strugglers Everton, Leeds United and Southampton by wielding the axe.
Rodgers deserves credit for his FA Cup success but his time at the King Power Stadium will also be defined by two devastating final days of Premier League seasons that shaped his and the club's ability to enjoy further success.
On the surface, finishing fifth in both 2019/20 and 20/21 represented fine achievements but the fact Leicester missed out on Champions League football on the final day both times as they lost 2-0 to Manchester United then latterly 4-2 to Tottenham meant bitter disappointment.
The FA Cup win rightly allowed the 2021 season to be painted in a glorious light - was the club's first FA Cup not better as tangible success than finishing fourth in the league?
However, it could also be suggested with some justification the loss to Spurs the following week was the beginning of the end for Rodgers and Leicester City as operators in the upper echelons, a time which also saw that magnificent against the odds title win in 2015/16.
These were savage blows because Leicester not only lost out on the profile of Champions League football but also the riches that came with it, the club's owners and chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha subsequently pulling in the purse strings to ensure they did not fall foul of Financial Fair Play rules.
Leicester reached the semi-finals of the inaugural Europa Conference League last season but they faded amid inconsistency in the league, finishing eighth.
The decline has continued this season, with Rodgers unable to revamp his squad, influential title-winning keeper Kasper Schmeichel leaving for Nice and time finally catching up with talismanic 36-year-old striker Jamie Vardy.
There were question marks over the club's recruitment under Rodgers although they suffered a blow in the summer when one his biggest successes Wesley Fofana, signed from St. Etienne for £36.5m in October 2020, moved to Chelsea for an initial £70m fee on the final day of the transfer window after missing much of the previous season with a broken leg.
Leicester's squad was clearly in need of hefty renewal but they did not sign an outfield player until the final day of the summer transfer window.
Harry Souttar, Victor Kristiansen and Tete came in at a cost of £30m in January but Rodgers could not fashion a consistent upturn and the graph has only been heading in one direction lately.
There was also a belief that Rodgers should have been getting more out of squad still laced with quality in the shape of players such as James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes. He was also unable to solve long-running defensive flaws that saw cheap goals conceded on an infuriatingly regular basis.
Impressive wins away at Aston Villa and home to Spurs, 4-2 and 4-1 respectively, hinted at improvement but they were false dawns and FA Cup fifth-round loss at home to Championship side Blackburn Rovers was damaging for Rodgers and Leicester.
And now, with 10 league games to go, he has paid the price and the Leicester hierarchy must decide their next move.
It will be a desperate personal setback for Rodgers, who rebuilt his reputation at Celtic after his sacking at Liverpool in October 2015, obtaining hero status with one half of Glasgow before angering many fans by leaving to move back to the Premier League at Leicester City.
For a time he regained his previous status as a sought-after manager, linked with a variety of jobs from Arsenal to Spurs and even - unlikely admittedly given his previous links with Liverpool - Manchester United. He was touted in some quarters as having the credentials to manager at international level, with England mentioned.
Rodgers was exuding positivity even in defeat at Selhurst Park. Instead this was the end of his time at Leicester.
The personable Rodgers will certainly be an attraction for clubs in the future, including those in the Premier League, but the high-end posts will be out of reach for now after the manner of his end at Leicester.
Rodgers, a Spanish speaker, has talked in the past about being open to working abroad and it easy to see his undoubted coaching skills transitioning into that environment.
He has also seen contemporary Roberto Martinez, who managed across Stanley Park at Everton when Rodgers was at Liverpool and was one of his predecessors at Swansea City, land plum international jobs with Belgium then Portugal
Rodgers will rightly feel he is at least the equal of the Spaniard in terms of stature, ability and successes.
For now, though, Leicester City will attempt to secure their short-term future after taking this emergency action while Rodgers will take stock and ponder his long-term prospects.
BBC Sport
The departure of Brendan Rodgers from Leicester City is the culmination of a dramatic fall from grace for both club and manager - with the fear of falling even further the catalyst behind the move.
Rodgers arrived at the Foxes in February 2019 after winning all seven domestic trophies available to him during a successful tenure at Celtic, leaving the adoration he enjoyed at Parkhead to succeed Claude Puel at the King Power Stadium.
And for a time, 50-year-old Rodgers enhanced a reputation as one of the most progressive coaches in the game as Leicester produced the attacking football that was his trademark, the high point being the club's first FA Cup victory when Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea were beaten 1-0 at Wembley in May 2021.
It assured Rodgers of his place in Leicester history but Saturday's last-minute defeat at Crystal Palace, now under the guidance of returning veteran Roy Hodgson, was the final straw for owners who suddenly saw the spectre of relegation come into even sharper view and could not wait any longer for Rodgers to show signs of inspiring a revival.
Leicester are in the bottom three after six league games without a win, that fear of the drop forcing the board to act in the manner of fellow strugglers Everton, Leeds United and Southampton by wielding the axe.
Rodgers deserves credit for his FA Cup success but his time at the King Power Stadium will also be defined by two devastating final days of Premier League seasons that shaped his and the club's ability to enjoy further success.
On the surface, finishing fifth in both 2019/20 and 20/21 represented fine achievements but the fact Leicester missed out on Champions League football on the final day both times as they lost 2-0 to Manchester United then latterly 4-2 to Tottenham meant bitter disappointment.
The FA Cup win rightly allowed the 2021 season to be painted in a glorious light - was the club's first FA Cup not better as tangible success than finishing fourth in the league?
However, it could also be suggested with some justification the loss to Spurs the following week was the beginning of the end for Rodgers and Leicester City as operators in the upper echelons, a time which also saw that magnificent against the odds title win in 2015/16.
These were savage blows because Leicester not only lost out on the profile of Champions League football but also the riches that came with it, the club's owners and chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha subsequently pulling in the purse strings to ensure they did not fall foul of Financial Fair Play rules.
Leicester reached the semi-finals of the inaugural Europa Conference League last season but they faded amid inconsistency in the league, finishing eighth.
The decline has continued this season, with Rodgers unable to revamp his squad, influential title-winning keeper Kasper Schmeichel leaving for Nice and time finally catching up with talismanic 36-year-old striker Jamie Vardy.
There were question marks over the club's recruitment under Rodgers although they suffered a blow in the summer when one his biggest successes Wesley Fofana, signed from St. Etienne for £36.5m in October 2020, moved to Chelsea for an initial £70m fee on the final day of the transfer window after missing much of the previous season with a broken leg.
Leicester's squad was clearly in need of hefty renewal but they did not sign an outfield player until the final day of the summer transfer window.
Harry Souttar, Victor Kristiansen and Tete came in at a cost of £30m in January but Rodgers could not fashion a consistent upturn and the graph has only been heading in one direction lately.
There was also a belief that Rodgers should have been getting more out of squad still laced with quality in the shape of players such as James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes. He was also unable to solve long-running defensive flaws that saw cheap goals conceded on an infuriatingly regular basis.
Impressive wins away at Aston Villa and home to Spurs, 4-2 and 4-1 respectively, hinted at improvement but they were false dawns and FA Cup fifth-round loss at home to Championship side Blackburn Rovers was damaging for Rodgers and Leicester.
And now, with 10 league games to go, he has paid the price and the Leicester hierarchy must decide their next move.
It will be a desperate personal setback for Rodgers, who rebuilt his reputation at Celtic after his sacking at Liverpool in October 2015, obtaining hero status with one half of Glasgow before angering many fans by leaving to move back to the Premier League at Leicester City.
For a time he regained his previous status as a sought-after manager, linked with a variety of jobs from Arsenal to Spurs and even - unlikely admittedly given his previous links with Liverpool - Manchester United. He was touted in some quarters as having the credentials to manager at international level, with England mentioned.
Rodgers was exuding positivity even in defeat at Selhurst Park. Instead this was the end of his time at Leicester.
The personable Rodgers will certainly be an attraction for clubs in the future, including those in the Premier League, but the high-end posts will be out of reach for now after the manner of his end at Leicester.
Rodgers, a Spanish speaker, has talked in the past about being open to working abroad and it easy to see his undoubted coaching skills transitioning into that environment.
He has also seen contemporary Roberto Martinez, who managed across Stanley Park at Everton when Rodgers was at Liverpool and was one of his predecessors at Swansea City, land plum international jobs with Belgium then Portugal
Rodgers will rightly feel he is at least the equal of the Spaniard in terms of stature, ability and successes.
For now, though, Leicester City will attempt to secure their short-term future after taking this emergency action while Rodgers will take stock and ponder his long-term prospects.
BBC Sport
Crystal Palace 2-1 Leicester City | Premier League
Crystal Palace snatched victory over fellow strugglers Leicester City as Jean-Philippe Mateta scored deep into stoppage time in Roy Hodgson's first game since returning as manager.
Palace were dominant and recorded 20 shots by the break - the most in a Premier League half by any side since 2015 - but struggled to find the breakthrough.
They were made to pay for their wastefulness shortly into the second half when substitute Ricardo Pereira unleashed a well-struck effort after being teed up by Timothy Castagne. But Leicester's lead was short-lived as Palace equalised only three minutes later when Eberechi Eze's free-kick hit the crossbar and deflected in off goalkeeper Daniel Iversen's back.
Palace captain Wilfried Zaha was forced off in the first half after pulling up with a groin injury.
The hosts won in dramatic fashion as Mateta turned his marker before slotting a low Jordan Ayew ball past Iversen.
Palace now sit five points clear of the drop zone in 12th, with Leicester one point adrift of safety in 18th.
Palace have newfound energy after Roy Hodgson's returnHodgson has made an instant impact since returning to Selhurst Park last week.
Palace had failed to win a Premier League game since New Year's Eve and have struggled for goals this season, scoring the fewest of any side going into the game.
They were dominant in the first half and came closest as Cheick Doucoure forced Iversen into a goalline stop to deny the hosts early on.
The frontline of Eze, Zaha and Michael Olise regularly posed problems for the Leicester defence as Palace attacked at their slickest.
Zaha's injury took the wind out of their sails, but Palace fought back valiantly.
With games against five of the Premier League's bottom six to come in their final ten fixtures, Palace's newfound energy under Hodgson could be crucial. Leicester denied drop-zone escape
Leicester are without a win in their past six Premier League gamesLeicester missed the chance to move out of the Premier League relegation zone, falling short in the final minute.
They tested the hosts on occasion, but Palace were dominant with 31 attempts on goal compared with Leicester's three.
The Foxes came close to snatching the first goal against the run of play when Victor Kristiansen's cross rattled the far post but Marc Guehi cleared the danger.
Pereira's goal halted Palace's progress, but the visitors failed to recover after the rapid equaliser.
Leicester are now winless in their past six matches, with ten games remaining to secure their Premier League status - including against fellow strugglers Leeds, West Ham, Wolves, Bournemouth and Everton.
BBC Sport
Crystal Palace snatched victory over fellow strugglers Leicester City as Jean-Philippe Mateta scored deep into stoppage time in Roy Hodgson's first game since returning as manager.
Palace were dominant and recorded 20 shots by the break - the most in a Premier League half by any side since 2015 - but struggled to find the breakthrough.
They were made to pay for their wastefulness shortly into the second half when substitute Ricardo Pereira unleashed a well-struck effort after being teed up by Timothy Castagne. But Leicester's lead was short-lived as Palace equalised only three minutes later when Eberechi Eze's free-kick hit the crossbar and deflected in off goalkeeper Daniel Iversen's back.
Palace captain Wilfried Zaha was forced off in the first half after pulling up with a groin injury.
The hosts won in dramatic fashion as Mateta turned his marker before slotting a low Jordan Ayew ball past Iversen.
Palace now sit five points clear of the drop zone in 12th, with Leicester one point adrift of safety in 18th.
Palace have newfound energy after Roy Hodgson's returnHodgson has made an instant impact since returning to Selhurst Park last week.
Palace had failed to win a Premier League game since New Year's Eve and have struggled for goals this season, scoring the fewest of any side going into the game.
They were dominant in the first half and came closest as Cheick Doucoure forced Iversen into a goalline stop to deny the hosts early on.
The frontline of Eze, Zaha and Michael Olise regularly posed problems for the Leicester defence as Palace attacked at their slickest.
Zaha's injury took the wind out of their sails, but Palace fought back valiantly.
With games against five of the Premier League's bottom six to come in their final ten fixtures, Palace's newfound energy under Hodgson could be crucial. Leicester denied drop-zone escape
Leicester are without a win in their past six Premier League gamesLeicester missed the chance to move out of the Premier League relegation zone, falling short in the final minute.
They tested the hosts on occasion, but Palace were dominant with 31 attempts on goal compared with Leicester's three.
The Foxes came close to snatching the first goal against the run of play when Victor Kristiansen's cross rattled the far post but Marc Guehi cleared the danger.
Pereira's goal halted Palace's progress, but the visitors failed to recover after the rapid equaliser.
Leicester are now winless in their past six matches, with ten games remaining to secure their Premier League status - including against fellow strugglers Leeds, West Ham, Wolves, Bournemouth and Everton.
BBC Sport
Brentford 1-1 Leicester City | Premier League
Foxes hell-Brent on derailing Bees’ European push
Brentford’s hopes of a maiden European season suffered a disappointing hit as Leicester City claimed a point at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Nonetheless, the Bees impressive home record remains intact, having lost just one Premier League (PL) home game this season (W7, D6, L1).
Brendan Rodgers would have been reasonably content with his side’s start to the contest, successfully keeping Brentford at bay during the opening half-hour. However, an inventive set-piece undid that good work when Mathias Jensen’s snapshot deflected past a helpless Daniel Iversen to put the Bees ahead.
The Foxes soon found themselves under relentless pressure as Brentford searched for a second, but found their footing late in the half, keeping hopes of a turnaround alive despite an underwhelming first-half attacking display.
It took less than 10 second-half minutes for the visitors to muster up a response, levelling the scores when James Maddison picked out Harvey Barnes, who kept his composure to poke past Raya.
The Foxes certainly had their tails up after the break and looked well-poised to end a run of five consecutive competitive defeats, pressing for a winner. The contest remained in the balance as the clock ran down with either side looking capable of snatching a dramatic winner.
A captivating encounter remained engaging until the final whistle with a late red card for Shandon Baptiste only adding to the drama. Ultimately, Leicester claimed a valuable point in their pursuit of PL survival, keeping them one point above the drop zone. Having taken the lead, a point for Brentford may sadly feel like two points dropped for the European-chasing Bees.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Harry Souttar (Leicester City)
Flashscore.co.uk
Foxes hell-Brent on derailing Bees’ European push
Brentford’s hopes of a maiden European season suffered a disappointing hit as Leicester City claimed a point at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Nonetheless, the Bees impressive home record remains intact, having lost just one Premier League (PL) home game this season (W7, D6, L1).
Brendan Rodgers would have been reasonably content with his side’s start to the contest, successfully keeping Brentford at bay during the opening half-hour. However, an inventive set-piece undid that good work when Mathias Jensen’s snapshot deflected past a helpless Daniel Iversen to put the Bees ahead.
The Foxes soon found themselves under relentless pressure as Brentford searched for a second, but found their footing late in the half, keeping hopes of a turnaround alive despite an underwhelming first-half attacking display.
It took less than 10 second-half minutes for the visitors to muster up a response, levelling the scores when James Maddison picked out Harvey Barnes, who kept his composure to poke past Raya.
The Foxes certainly had their tails up after the break and looked well-poised to end a run of five consecutive competitive defeats, pressing for a winner. The contest remained in the balance as the clock ran down with either side looking capable of snatching a dramatic winner.
A captivating encounter remained engaging until the final whistle with a late red card for Shandon Baptiste only adding to the drama. Ultimately, Leicester claimed a valuable point in their pursuit of PL survival, keeping them one point above the drop zone. Having taken the lead, a point for Brentford may sadly feel like two points dropped for the European-chasing Bees.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Harry Souttar (Leicester City)
Flashscore.co.uk
Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea | Premier League
Keeping Leicester City up would be one of the greatest achievements of my career - Brendan Rodgers
Guess what Brenda - you are even failing at that !!
Potter works his magic as Blues cruise
Chelsea ended a run of eight Premier League (PL) away games without a victory, defeating Leicester City 3-1 at the King Power Stadium - a fifth straight loss in all competitions for the Foxes.
Seeking a third consecutive win for the first time since October, the Blues got off to a fast start, netting with just 11 minutes on the clock. A partially-cleared Ben Chilwell corner eventually dropped to the left-back, who struck cleanly on the volley through a crowd of bodies to beat Danny Ward. João Félix came within inches of adding a second,
clipping his chipped effort off the far post after some excellent close control in the build-up. The Foxes looked for a response through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but his deflected shot from range looped onto the crossbar with Kepa Arrizabalaga rooted to the spot.
Graham Potter then thought his side had doubled their lead when Félix swept home an incisive team move, but VAR ruled the goal offside. Just five minutes later, Leicester took full advantage as Patson Daka capitalised on an error in judgement from Félix and buried an effort from the edge of the box. However, parity wouldn’t last long as Chelsea restored their lead on the brink of HT with a delicate Kai Havertz flick lobbed Ward from an inventive Enzo Fernández lobbed pass.
Chelsea survived a goalline clearance after the break, before Brendan Rodgers introduced a triple change in search of a second equaliser. Yet another offside goal kept the Foxes in the contest as Mykhailo Mudryk was denied his first Premier League strike, but the Ukraine international had the last laugh as his cushioned header set up Mateo Kovačić on the volley to double the lead for Potter’s men.
Wout Faes received a second yellow card late on to leave Leicester a man down as Chelsea saw out a well deserved away victory that moved them to within five points of the top-five.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kai Havertz (Chelsea)
flashscore.co.uk
Keeping Leicester City up would be one of the greatest achievements of my career - Brendan Rodgers
Guess what Brenda - you are even failing at that !!
Potter works his magic as Blues cruise
Chelsea ended a run of eight Premier League (PL) away games without a victory, defeating Leicester City 3-1 at the King Power Stadium - a fifth straight loss in all competitions for the Foxes.
Seeking a third consecutive win for the first time since October, the Blues got off to a fast start, netting with just 11 minutes on the clock. A partially-cleared Ben Chilwell corner eventually dropped to the left-back, who struck cleanly on the volley through a crowd of bodies to beat Danny Ward. João Félix came within inches of adding a second,
clipping his chipped effort off the far post after some excellent close control in the build-up. The Foxes looked for a response through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but his deflected shot from range looped onto the crossbar with Kepa Arrizabalaga rooted to the spot.
Graham Potter then thought his side had doubled their lead when Félix swept home an incisive team move, but VAR ruled the goal offside. Just five minutes later, Leicester took full advantage as Patson Daka capitalised on an error in judgement from Félix and buried an effort from the edge of the box. However, parity wouldn’t last long as Chelsea restored their lead on the brink of HT with a delicate Kai Havertz flick lobbed Ward from an inventive Enzo Fernández lobbed pass.
Chelsea survived a goalline clearance after the break, before Brendan Rodgers introduced a triple change in search of a second equaliser. Yet another offside goal kept the Foxes in the contest as Mykhailo Mudryk was denied his first Premier League strike, but the Ukraine international had the last laugh as his cushioned header set up Mateo Kovačić on the volley to double the lead for Potter’s men.
Wout Faes received a second yellow card late on to leave Leicester a man down as Chelsea saw out a well deserved away victory that moved them to within five points of the top-five.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kai Havertz (Chelsea)
flashscore.co.uk
Southampton 1-0 Leicester City | Premier League
RODGERS GET OUT OF MY CLUB NOW
Saints claim points as Sellés plots Alcaraz escape
On James Ward-Prowse’s record-breaking 330th Southampton appearance, teammate Carlos Alcaraz was on hand to spare his blushes and put the Saints within one point of safety after a first-half missed penalty against Leicester City.
It was a new low in midweek for Southampton after their cup loss to fourth-tier Grimsby, but earlier afternoon defeats for relegation rivals Leeds United and Bournemouth couldn’t have provided any more impetus for the home side. Rubén Sellés handed 33-year-old Theo Walcott his second start of the season, but perhaps showcased his rustiness as he skewed an early effort from an Ainsley Maitland-Niles cut-back.
The Foxes grew into the game and should have been in front midway through the first half via Kelechi Iheanacho, but despite four goals in his last six starts, he mistimed his header after James Maddison fizzed in a free-kick. It would come back to bite Brendan Rodgers’ men moments later, when Walcott showed a burst of pace to get to the byline before Timothy Castagne handled, leaving referee Robert Jones with no choice but to point to the spot.
History-maker Ward-Prowse stepped up to the spot, but unfortunately for him his firmly-struck penalty was saved well to Danny Ward’s right.
The Saints still had time to go in at the break in front however, when Alcaraz raced through on goal to make it two goals in two starts after some fine hold up play by Ché Adams. However, the drama wasn’t over yet as VAR intervened, but thankfully for Alcaraz, who injured himself in an overzealous celebration, it was deemed onside.
Moments after the break, Leicester should have been level with the chance again falling to Iheanacho. It was another headed opportunity laid on a plate to him by Dennis Praet, but the header lacked the usual conviction and floated wide. A third clear-cut chance was gifted to him when Gavin Bazunu passed straight to him, but yet again the chance went begging as the Nigerian fired over.
Adam Armstrong missed a late chance to wrap up the victory, but in the end the Saints held on well to record their first home win in nine and break Leicester’s run of five games without defeat at St Mary’s.
Flashscore Player of the Match: Roméo Lavia (Southampton)
flashscore.co.uk
RODGERS GET OUT OF MY CLUB NOW
Saints claim points as Sellés plots Alcaraz escape
On James Ward-Prowse’s record-breaking 330th Southampton appearance, teammate Carlos Alcaraz was on hand to spare his blushes and put the Saints within one point of safety after a first-half missed penalty against Leicester City.
It was a new low in midweek for Southampton after their cup loss to fourth-tier Grimsby, but earlier afternoon defeats for relegation rivals Leeds United and Bournemouth couldn’t have provided any more impetus for the home side. Rubén Sellés handed 33-year-old Theo Walcott his second start of the season, but perhaps showcased his rustiness as he skewed an early effort from an Ainsley Maitland-Niles cut-back.
The Foxes grew into the game and should have been in front midway through the first half via Kelechi Iheanacho, but despite four goals in his last six starts, he mistimed his header after James Maddison fizzed in a free-kick. It would come back to bite Brendan Rodgers’ men moments later, when Walcott showed a burst of pace to get to the byline before Timothy Castagne handled, leaving referee Robert Jones with no choice but to point to the spot.
History-maker Ward-Prowse stepped up to the spot, but unfortunately for him his firmly-struck penalty was saved well to Danny Ward’s right.
The Saints still had time to go in at the break in front however, when Alcaraz raced through on goal to make it two goals in two starts after some fine hold up play by Ché Adams. However, the drama wasn’t over yet as VAR intervened, but thankfully for Alcaraz, who injured himself in an overzealous celebration, it was deemed onside.
Moments after the break, Leicester should have been level with the chance again falling to Iheanacho. It was another headed opportunity laid on a plate to him by Dennis Praet, but the header lacked the usual conviction and floated wide. A third clear-cut chance was gifted to him when Gavin Bazunu passed straight to him, but yet again the chance went begging as the Nigerian fired over.
Adam Armstrong missed a late chance to wrap up the victory, but in the end the Saints held on well to record their first home win in nine and break Leicester’s run of five games without defeat at St Mary’s.
Flashscore Player of the Match: Roméo Lavia (Southampton)
flashscore.co.uk
Leicester City 0-1 Arsenal | Premier League
Gabriel Martinelli's goal was enough to help Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Leicester City.
The Brazilian struck in the first minute of the second half, latching on to a deft pass from Leandro Trossard to roll his shot past Danny Ward.
Trossard had a fine first-half goal disallowed after Arsenal's Ben White held Ward in the build-up.
Arsenal lead Manchester City by five points before Pep Guardiola's side face Bournemouth in Saturday's 17:30 GMT kick-off.
Leicester, who remain 14th, were lacklustre although Kelechi Iheanacho had a goal flagged for offside shortly after Trossard's disallowed effort and Anthony Dewsbury-Hall curled a shot just wide in the second half.
Following their second consecutive away win, the Gunners are next in action when they host Everton on Wednesday.
Arsenal's recent league wobble, which saw Arteta's side drop seven points from a possible nine, may be behind them but they struggled to hit their fluent best at King Power Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's side dominated possession in the early stages and seemed to have hit their stride when the game's first controversial moment occurred.
Trossard's brilliant curling shot from outside the area was initially given as a goal, but referee Craig Pawson overturned it for sustained holding after consulting the video assistant referee. Arsenal's Ben White had his left arm around Ward's right as the ball came over at a corner, while White and Ashley Barnes also appeared to collide during the same incident.
Arsenal's sense of injustice increased a few minutes later when their claims for a penalty, after Bukayo Saka tangled with Harry Souttar, were waved away by Pawson.
Martinelli grabbed his ninth goal of the league season just 51 seconds into the second half when he calmly stroked the ball past Ward, sustaining a painful blow to the right leg when Wilfred Ndidi accidentally trod on him in the process of scoring.
Saka also had a goal ruled out when Martinelli was flagged for offside, but Arsenal struggled to impose themselves as the second half progressed.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, given the captain's armband by his club as a mark of respect in the week of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of his native Ukraine, came close to a second goal in as many games when Ward pushed away the defender's curling shot.
BBC Sport
Gabriel Martinelli's goal was enough to help Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Leicester City.
The Brazilian struck in the first minute of the second half, latching on to a deft pass from Leandro Trossard to roll his shot past Danny Ward.
Trossard had a fine first-half goal disallowed after Arsenal's Ben White held Ward in the build-up.
Arsenal lead Manchester City by five points before Pep Guardiola's side face Bournemouth in Saturday's 17:30 GMT kick-off.
Leicester, who remain 14th, were lacklustre although Kelechi Iheanacho had a goal flagged for offside shortly after Trossard's disallowed effort and Anthony Dewsbury-Hall curled a shot just wide in the second half.
Following their second consecutive away win, the Gunners are next in action when they host Everton on Wednesday.
Arsenal's recent league wobble, which saw Arteta's side drop seven points from a possible nine, may be behind them but they struggled to hit their fluent best at King Power Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's side dominated possession in the early stages and seemed to have hit their stride when the game's first controversial moment occurred.
Trossard's brilliant curling shot from outside the area was initially given as a goal, but referee Craig Pawson overturned it for sustained holding after consulting the video assistant referee. Arsenal's Ben White had his left arm around Ward's right as the ball came over at a corner, while White and Ashley Barnes also appeared to collide during the same incident.
Arsenal's sense of injustice increased a few minutes later when their claims for a penalty, after Bukayo Saka tangled with Harry Souttar, were waved away by Pawson.
Martinelli grabbed his ninth goal of the league season just 51 seconds into the second half when he calmly stroked the ball past Ward, sustaining a painful blow to the right leg when Wilfred Ndidi accidentally trod on him in the process of scoring.
Saka also had a goal ruled out when Martinelli was flagged for offside, but Arsenal struggled to impose themselves as the second half progressed.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, given the captain's armband by his club as a mark of respect in the week of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of his native Ukraine, came close to a second goal in as many games when Ward pushed away the defender's curling shot.
BBC Sport
Manchester United 3-0 Leicester City | Premier League
Marcus Rashford scored twice to continue his hot streak and help Manchester United overcome Leicester in the Premier League.
Rashford is in the form of his career and is leading United's resurgence, taking his tally to 24 goals for the season with strikes in each half at Old Trafford. Both efforts were clinical finishes, latching on to passes from Bruno Fernandes and Fred before bearing down on goal and coolly slotting past Danny Ward.
Substitute Jadon Sancho finished off a fine team move to seal all three points for Erik ten Hag's side, but it could have been a very different story.
Leicester created the better chances when it was goalless and their failure to find a way past David de Gea proved costly.
The Spaniard made a stunning reflex save to deny Harvey Barnes from close range and kept out Kelechi Iheanacho's diving header with another superb stop.
Defeat ended Leicester's three-game unbeaten run and an inconsistent season sees them remain in 14th place in the table.
Red-hot Rashford leads United's chargeManchester United face the most important week of Ten Hag's short tenure, coming up against Barcelona in their Europa League play-off second leg on Thursday, followed by a trip to Wembley where they face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
They go into those two huge games bang in form, having lost just three of their 22 league games, and ruthless finishing ended Leicester's challenge on this occasion.
Leading the charge is England international Rashford, who has now secured his most prolific campaign for United with three months still to play.
The 25-year-old took his tally to 17 goals in 18 games since the end of the World Cup, the most by a player in Europe's top five leagues.
His goals had the hallmarks of a player full of confidence, stroking into the net when through on goal and he could have had a hat-trick when he beat two defenders but drilled his shot straight at Ward.
Diogo Dalot missed a glaring chance from six yards out, miscuing the excellent Fernandes' cross, while Lisandro Martinez headed against the crossbar in a second half that was bossed by the home side.
United's aim at the start of the campaign would have been a return to the Champions League and they are well on their way to achieving that, lying third in the table and 10 points clear of Tottenham in fifth.
Looking above them, is a title charge out of the question? United are five points adrift of leaders Arsenal, although the Gunners have played a game fewer.
Foxes rue missed chancesThis was a case of what might have been for Leicester.
Brendan Rodgers' side came into the game following a thumping 4-1 victory over Spurs last Saturday but will rue the failure to take their opportunities this time.
De Gea denied Barnes and Iheanacho to claim a 180th clean sheet for the Red Devils, drawing alongside Peter Schmeichel's club record.
Leicester's January signing Tete flashed a shot wide of the far post and James Maddison dragged an effort off target as the Foxes went home empty-handed.
They will look to get back to winning ways but face another big test, hosting top of the table Arsenal on Saturday (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
BBC Sport
Marcus Rashford scored twice to continue his hot streak and help Manchester United overcome Leicester in the Premier League.
Rashford is in the form of his career and is leading United's resurgence, taking his tally to 24 goals for the season with strikes in each half at Old Trafford. Both efforts were clinical finishes, latching on to passes from Bruno Fernandes and Fred before bearing down on goal and coolly slotting past Danny Ward.
Substitute Jadon Sancho finished off a fine team move to seal all three points for Erik ten Hag's side, but it could have been a very different story.
Leicester created the better chances when it was goalless and their failure to find a way past David de Gea proved costly.
The Spaniard made a stunning reflex save to deny Harvey Barnes from close range and kept out Kelechi Iheanacho's diving header with another superb stop.
Defeat ended Leicester's three-game unbeaten run and an inconsistent season sees them remain in 14th place in the table.
Red-hot Rashford leads United's chargeManchester United face the most important week of Ten Hag's short tenure, coming up against Barcelona in their Europa League play-off second leg on Thursday, followed by a trip to Wembley where they face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
They go into those two huge games bang in form, having lost just three of their 22 league games, and ruthless finishing ended Leicester's challenge on this occasion.
Leading the charge is England international Rashford, who has now secured his most prolific campaign for United with three months still to play.
The 25-year-old took his tally to 17 goals in 18 games since the end of the World Cup, the most by a player in Europe's top five leagues.
His goals had the hallmarks of a player full of confidence, stroking into the net when through on goal and he could have had a hat-trick when he beat two defenders but drilled his shot straight at Ward.
Diogo Dalot missed a glaring chance from six yards out, miscuing the excellent Fernandes' cross, while Lisandro Martinez headed against the crossbar in a second half that was bossed by the home side.
United's aim at the start of the campaign would have been a return to the Champions League and they are well on their way to achieving that, lying third in the table and 10 points clear of Tottenham in fifth.
Looking above them, is a title charge out of the question? United are five points adrift of leaders Arsenal, although the Gunners have played a game fewer.
Foxes rue missed chancesThis was a case of what might have been for Leicester.
Brendan Rodgers' side came into the game following a thumping 4-1 victory over Spurs last Saturday but will rue the failure to take their opportunities this time.
De Gea denied Barnes and Iheanacho to claim a 180th clean sheet for the Red Devils, drawing alongside Peter Schmeichel's club record.
Leicester's January signing Tete flashed a shot wide of the far post and James Maddison dragged an effort off target as the Foxes went home empty-handed.
They will look to get back to winning ways but face another big test, hosting top of the table Arsenal on Saturday (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
BBC Sport
Maddison, Tielemans, Soumare – Leicester City injury news and return dates for Man Utd clash
The latest Leicester City injury news with Brendan Rodgers giving an update on the fitness of his squad at his press conference to preview the trip to Old Trafford
Boubakary Soumare and Youri Tielemans are fit to return to the Leicester City squad that travels to Manchester United this weekend.
Soumare has been absent since injuring his hamstring in the first game of 2023, a 1-0 defeat to Fulham, but has been in training for the past couple of weeks and is now fit to return. Tielemans missed last week’s win over Tottenham with a calf knock but will also be available.
James Maddison is fit to play too, despite caution over his problem knee. He has been increasing his minutes on the pitch since returning three weeks ago, and played nearly the full game against Spurs.
However, there will be no place in the squad for captain Jonny Evans. Since recovering from a calf issue, he has picked up a problem in his thigh.
Asked about the fitness of his squad during his press conference on Friday afternoon, Rodgers said: “James is fine. He’s trained well. He’s good. Bouba has trained all week and Youri is back in training. Both are available for the game.
“He (Evans) is still a bit of time away. We were hoping that Jonny might have been back but he’s still suffering a wee bit with his thigh, so he’s not available. But everything is clearing up now. The squad is looking strong, which is pleasing.”
As well as Evans, the only players City have out are full-backs Ryan Bertrand and James Justin. Bertrand has been in training recently as he looks to make a comeback from a knee injury that has kept him out for more than a year, but Justin is out for the season with the Achilles rupture he suffered in November.
Leicestershire Live
The latest Leicester City injury news with Brendan Rodgers giving an update on the fitness of his squad at his press conference to preview the trip to Old Trafford
Boubakary Soumare and Youri Tielemans are fit to return to the Leicester City squad that travels to Manchester United this weekend.
Soumare has been absent since injuring his hamstring in the first game of 2023, a 1-0 defeat to Fulham, but has been in training for the past couple of weeks and is now fit to return. Tielemans missed last week’s win over Tottenham with a calf knock but will also be available.
James Maddison is fit to play too, despite caution over his problem knee. He has been increasing his minutes on the pitch since returning three weeks ago, and played nearly the full game against Spurs.
However, there will be no place in the squad for captain Jonny Evans. Since recovering from a calf issue, he has picked up a problem in his thigh.
Asked about the fitness of his squad during his press conference on Friday afternoon, Rodgers said: “James is fine. He’s trained well. He’s good. Bouba has trained all week and Youri is back in training. Both are available for the game.
“He (Evans) is still a bit of time away. We were hoping that Jonny might have been back but he’s still suffering a wee bit with his thigh, so he’s not available. But everything is clearing up now. The squad is looking strong, which is pleasing.”
As well as Evans, the only players City have out are full-backs Ryan Bertrand and James Justin. Bertrand has been in training recently as he looks to make a comeback from a knee injury that has kept him out for more than a year, but Justin is out for the season with the Achilles rupture he suffered in November.
Leicestershire Live
Highly-rated Leicester City starlet commits future with new contract
The England Under-19s midfielder made his first senior appearance last November and may now be out on loan if not for an ACL injury he suffered at the end of last month
Highly-rated Leicester City midfielder Sammy Braybrooke has signed a new contract with the club to 2026.
The 18-year-old is one of the most promising players coming through the academy and has committed to spending the first years of his senior career at his boyhood club with a new three-and-a-half-year deal.
Braybrooke will spend the best part of the first year of his new contract recovering from an ACL tear he suffered at the end of January in an Under-21s game. Had he not torn his knee ligaments, he may have been heading out on loan to an EFL club at the end of the window.
Captain of England’s Under-19s, Braybrooke has caught the eye with his intelligent midfield play, his range of passing, and his willingness to carry the ball forward. He has been in training with the senior squad for much of the past year, and was rewarded with a senior City debut in the Carabao Cup victory over Newport in November.
Brendan Rodgers is a big fan of Braybrooke and has come close to giving him Premier League minutes. After he appeared as an unused substitute against Bournemouth in October, Rodgers said: “I’ve always liked Sammy, it’s just been unfortunate he hasn’t really had the chance to get a game as such.
“He’s continued his development. He’s going to be an outstanding player, there’s absolutely no doubt. If there was a moment to bring into the game, I would have had no hesitation doing that.”
Leicestershire Live
The England Under-19s midfielder made his first senior appearance last November and may now be out on loan if not for an ACL injury he suffered at the end of last month
Highly-rated Leicester City midfielder Sammy Braybrooke has signed a new contract with the club to 2026.
The 18-year-old is one of the most promising players coming through the academy and has committed to spending the first years of his senior career at his boyhood club with a new three-and-a-half-year deal.
Braybrooke will spend the best part of the first year of his new contract recovering from an ACL tear he suffered at the end of January in an Under-21s game. Had he not torn his knee ligaments, he may have been heading out on loan to an EFL club at the end of the window.
Captain of England’s Under-19s, Braybrooke has caught the eye with his intelligent midfield play, his range of passing, and his willingness to carry the ball forward. He has been in training with the senior squad for much of the past year, and was rewarded with a senior City debut in the Carabao Cup victory over Newport in November.
Brendan Rodgers is a big fan of Braybrooke and has come close to giving him Premier League minutes. After he appeared as an unused substitute against Bournemouth in October, Rodgers said: “I’ve always liked Sammy, it’s just been unfortunate he hasn’t really had the chance to get a game as such.
“He’s continued his development. He’s going to be an outstanding player, there’s absolutely no doubt. If there was a moment to bring into the game, I would have had no hesitation doing that.”
Leicestershire Live
Liverpool Women 0-1 Leicester City Women | WSL
An early goal from Hannah Cain guided the Foxes to their second Barclays Women's Super League victory of the season against Liverpool at Prenton Park on Sunday afternoon.
There was only one change to the side that fell to a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend, with loan signing Ruby Mace replacing Georgia Eaton-Collins in the holding midfield role. At the home of Tranmere Rovers, it only took nine minutes for an opening goal to be found, and it came from the travelling Foxes, when Cain fired home after a clever corner routine.
Making a late run into the box, a low delivered cross from Courtney Nevin was turned towards goal by the Welsh forward who picked up her second goal in three games, having netted a few weeks earlier in the Vitality Women's FA Cup defeat to Reading.
Five minutes later, the Foxes were in again when CJ Bott tried her luck from range. From what must have been 30 yards out, the defender took aim and unleashed a rocket, which would have nestled into the net, had Rachael Laws not tipped the effort onto the crossbar.
Over the next 20 minutes, the hosts took control of possession as they looked to get back to level terms, however the City defence was standing firm, with Sophie Howard planting her head on every ball that came into the box, although the gigantic throw-ins from Megan Campbell certainly weren't helping.
Late on in the first half, Leicester stepped it up and applied pressure on Laws in search of a two-goal lead at the break, but after a substantial amount of injury time, the scoreline would read 1-0 at the interval.
Into the second half, the Reds' fanbase started to get restless, and raised the volume inside Prenton Park in an attempt to help force the ball across City's goal line, and looked to have achieved this in the 70th minute.
A ball into the box bounced around and among all the madness, Leicester somehow managed to clear their lines, but this close encounter looked to have given Liverpool the confidence to find a breakthrough.
However, after this pressure it was the Foxes to see the next sightings of goal through Cain and Aileen Whelan. City's No.21 took aim from the edge of the box but saw her low effort claimed by Laws, before the captain had a perfect opportunity to seal the win.
Winning the ball back high up the pitch, Whelan was supplied with possession inside the Liverpool box, but instead of shooting, tried to take it round the defender, and saw the effort taken away from her.
With only seconds to go, Liverpool looked certain to score when pressure on Janina Leitzig allowed for a loose ball in the box, but after throwing absolutely everyone on the line, the Foxes managed to clear.
Against the ongoing roar of the home supporters, the final whistle eventually blew, marking an extraordinary afternoon in Liverpool, as Willie Kirk's side would be taking all three points, and the hope of league survival back with them to the Midlands.
Major moment - Cain's openerExpand photoHannah Cain scored her second goal in three games at Prenton Park. With only one goal to separate the two sides, the defining moment of the match came less than 10 minutes in when Cain finished off a smart routine from a corner. One straight from the training ground which certainly paid off.
Who impressed? - Sophie HowardExpand photoBoth of the Foxes' wins this season have come with a clean sheet. While it was Cain who scored the only goal of the match, Howard was very impressive at the back, and along with Ashleigh Plumptre, made sure that any danger that came into the box was expertly dealt with.
Where do we stand - 12th and chasing the packExpand photoLeicester have picked up six points from their last three WSL games. A second win of the 2022/23 season does leave City 12th in the table, but the gap to Reading has now been reduced to a single point.
Coming up - Manchester United (A)Expand photo
LCFC.COM
An early goal from Hannah Cain guided the Foxes to their second Barclays Women's Super League victory of the season against Liverpool at Prenton Park on Sunday afternoon.
There was only one change to the side that fell to a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend, with loan signing Ruby Mace replacing Georgia Eaton-Collins in the holding midfield role. At the home of Tranmere Rovers, it only took nine minutes for an opening goal to be found, and it came from the travelling Foxes, when Cain fired home after a clever corner routine.
Making a late run into the box, a low delivered cross from Courtney Nevin was turned towards goal by the Welsh forward who picked up her second goal in three games, having netted a few weeks earlier in the Vitality Women's FA Cup defeat to Reading.
Five minutes later, the Foxes were in again when CJ Bott tried her luck from range. From what must have been 30 yards out, the defender took aim and unleashed a rocket, which would have nestled into the net, had Rachael Laws not tipped the effort onto the crossbar.
Over the next 20 minutes, the hosts took control of possession as they looked to get back to level terms, however the City defence was standing firm, with Sophie Howard planting her head on every ball that came into the box, although the gigantic throw-ins from Megan Campbell certainly weren't helping.
Late on in the first half, Leicester stepped it up and applied pressure on Laws in search of a two-goal lead at the break, but after a substantial amount of injury time, the scoreline would read 1-0 at the interval.
Into the second half, the Reds' fanbase started to get restless, and raised the volume inside Prenton Park in an attempt to help force the ball across City's goal line, and looked to have achieved this in the 70th minute.
A ball into the box bounced around and among all the madness, Leicester somehow managed to clear their lines, but this close encounter looked to have given Liverpool the confidence to find a breakthrough.
However, after this pressure it was the Foxes to see the next sightings of goal through Cain and Aileen Whelan. City's No.21 took aim from the edge of the box but saw her low effort claimed by Laws, before the captain had a perfect opportunity to seal the win.
Winning the ball back high up the pitch, Whelan was supplied with possession inside the Liverpool box, but instead of shooting, tried to take it round the defender, and saw the effort taken away from her.
With only seconds to go, Liverpool looked certain to score when pressure on Janina Leitzig allowed for a loose ball in the box, but after throwing absolutely everyone on the line, the Foxes managed to clear.
Against the ongoing roar of the home supporters, the final whistle eventually blew, marking an extraordinary afternoon in Liverpool, as Willie Kirk's side would be taking all three points, and the hope of league survival back with them to the Midlands.
Major moment - Cain's openerExpand photoHannah Cain scored her second goal in three games at Prenton Park. With only one goal to separate the two sides, the defining moment of the match came less than 10 minutes in when Cain finished off a smart routine from a corner. One straight from the training ground which certainly paid off.
Who impressed? - Sophie HowardExpand photoBoth of the Foxes' wins this season have come with a clean sheet. While it was Cain who scored the only goal of the match, Howard was very impressive at the back, and along with Ashleigh Plumptre, made sure that any danger that came into the box was expertly dealt with.
Where do we stand - 12th and chasing the packExpand photoLeicester have picked up six points from their last three WSL games. A second win of the 2022/23 season does leave City 12th in the table, but the gap to Reading has now been reduced to a single point.
Coming up - Manchester United (A)Expand photo
LCFC.COM
Leicester City 4-1 Spurs | Premier League
Leicester City came from behind to win for the second time in a row as they humbled a dreadful Tottenham.
Spurs, with boss Antonio Conte back in the dugout following a gallbladder removal, had an ideal start when Rodrigo Bentancur diverted home Victor Kristiansen's sliced finish.
But the resurgent Foxes netted twice in less than two and a half minutes to turn the game on its head.
First Nampalys Mendy scored only the second goal of his entire career when he crashed a first-time screamer into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Soon after, Wout Faes' tackle on Harry Kane on halfway ricocheted into the path of Kelechi Iheanacho, who squared for James Maddison to score.
Spurs defender Eric Dier stood off Iheanacho, who stroked a shot into the bottom corner for a Leicester third before the break.
Harvey Barnes had a goal disallowed by the video assistant referee for offside but Spurs failed to learn their lesson and the winger slotted in a fourth from James Maddison's pass 10 minutes later.
To cap off a truly rotten afternoon for Spurs, they lost goalscorer Bentancur to a knee injury suffered as he tackled Mendy after an hour.
The Foxes are now 13th, six points above the relegation zone, while Tottenham remain fifth, one point behind the top four.
The World Cup killed Leicester's momentum, with four wins out of five beforehand and four defeats in a row afterwards.
But added to a draw with Brighton and 4-2 win at Aston Villa, this win over Spurs shows that they have now recovered.
With Maddison well and truly back from injury, and several new signings, plus Iheanacho scoring for a third game in a row, Brendan Rodgers will be delighted.
It had looked set to be a bad afternoon when Kristensen diverted a corner into the path of Bentancur for the opener.
The Denmark Under-21 defender had a bright game, that one moment aside, clearing a ball off the line moments before that goal and popping up in both boxes with tackles and passes.
But then Mendy produced his unbelievable strike, his first in English football, as he ran onto Bentancur's clearance to leather a shot past Forster.
Faes had already been booked for tackling Kane so he may have taken a risk when he tackled the same player in the centre circle. But the loose ball flew about 30 yards to Iheanacho to set up Maddison for his second goal in two games.
Iheanacho put them in control before the break from Harry Souttar's ball - and they had chances in the second half before two clever Barnes finishes, one which did not stand and then the one which did.
This must now be considered the most entertaining Premier League match-up. Since Leicester's promotion in 2014 their games against Spurs have produced 76 goals, the most of any fixture in the division over that time.
To improve the party atmosphere even more, Rodgers was able to bring on right-back Ricardo Pereira for his first appearance of the season following an Achilles injury.
BBC Sport
Leicester City came from behind to win for the second time in a row as they humbled a dreadful Tottenham.
Spurs, with boss Antonio Conte back in the dugout following a gallbladder removal, had an ideal start when Rodrigo Bentancur diverted home Victor Kristiansen's sliced finish.
But the resurgent Foxes netted twice in less than two and a half minutes to turn the game on its head.
First Nampalys Mendy scored only the second goal of his entire career when he crashed a first-time screamer into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Soon after, Wout Faes' tackle on Harry Kane on halfway ricocheted into the path of Kelechi Iheanacho, who squared for James Maddison to score.
Spurs defender Eric Dier stood off Iheanacho, who stroked a shot into the bottom corner for a Leicester third before the break.
Harvey Barnes had a goal disallowed by the video assistant referee for offside but Spurs failed to learn their lesson and the winger slotted in a fourth from James Maddison's pass 10 minutes later.
To cap off a truly rotten afternoon for Spurs, they lost goalscorer Bentancur to a knee injury suffered as he tackled Mendy after an hour.
The Foxes are now 13th, six points above the relegation zone, while Tottenham remain fifth, one point behind the top four.
The World Cup killed Leicester's momentum, with four wins out of five beforehand and four defeats in a row afterwards.
But added to a draw with Brighton and 4-2 win at Aston Villa, this win over Spurs shows that they have now recovered.
With Maddison well and truly back from injury, and several new signings, plus Iheanacho scoring for a third game in a row, Brendan Rodgers will be delighted.
It had looked set to be a bad afternoon when Kristensen diverted a corner into the path of Bentancur for the opener.
The Denmark Under-21 defender had a bright game, that one moment aside, clearing a ball off the line moments before that goal and popping up in both boxes with tackles and passes.
But then Mendy produced his unbelievable strike, his first in English football, as he ran onto Bentancur's clearance to leather a shot past Forster.
Faes had already been booked for tackling Kane so he may have taken a risk when he tackled the same player in the centre circle. But the loose ball flew about 30 yards to Iheanacho to set up Maddison for his second goal in two games.
Iheanacho put them in control before the break from Harry Souttar's ball - and they had chances in the second half before two clever Barnes finishes, one which did not stand and then the one which did.
This must now be considered the most entertaining Premier League match-up. Since Leicester's promotion in 2014 their games against Spurs have produced 76 goals, the most of any fixture in the division over that time.
To improve the party atmosphere even more, Rodgers was able to bring on right-back Ricardo Pereira for his first appearance of the season following an Achilles injury.
BBC Sport
Aston Villa 2-4 Leicester City | Premier League
Brazilian winger Tete marked a sparkling debut with a goal as Leicester City edged away from the foot of the Premier League with an excellent win at Villa Park.
Brendan Rodgers' side were 2-1 down in the first half but rallied to claim three vital points and stem Aston Villa's fine start to life under Unai Emery.
Ollie Watkins steered the home side ahead after Emiliano Buendia hit the crossbar, only for fit-again James Maddison to immediately level.
Watkins then drove a shot in off another new Foxes signing, Harry Souttar, but Kelechi Iheanacho equalised again with a header before Tete rounded Emiliano Martinez to put Leicester ahead at the break.
Philippe Coutinho saw a goal ruled out for offside as Emery's side piled on the pressure in the second half, but Rodgers saw his team seal the much-needed points when substitute Dennis Praet ran through to score.
Tete, a short-term signing from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk, impressed throughout and may prove the spark the Foxes need to avoid a scrap against relegation.
Before kick-off, Rodgers said his side faced "18 cup finals" to move away from peril at the foot of the table, and the man who guided Leicester to FA Cup glory in 2021 delivered success in this game too.
That did not appear too likely in the opening stages as the energetic hosts swept ahead.
Leicester needed a game changer and, after a productive transfer window, Rodgers now appears to have several in his squad. Maddison, making his first league start in two months, was a class act throughout and soon equalised after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall robbed Boubacar Kamara, before Tete made his mark.
The Brazilian went close with two curling efforts after good runs down the right and stayed alert to round Martinez and score with style.
The unfortunate own goal aside, Souttar looked an imposing presence on his Premier League bow, and third new signing Victor Kristiansen also posed a threat from left-back.
The new faces held firm as Villa poured forward after the break, and a first win since the World Cup has seen Leicester rise up the table, with some tough tests ahead.
BBC Sport
Brazilian winger Tete marked a sparkling debut with a goal as Leicester City edged away from the foot of the Premier League with an excellent win at Villa Park.
Brendan Rodgers' side were 2-1 down in the first half but rallied to claim three vital points and stem Aston Villa's fine start to life under Unai Emery.
Ollie Watkins steered the home side ahead after Emiliano Buendia hit the crossbar, only for fit-again James Maddison to immediately level.
Watkins then drove a shot in off another new Foxes signing, Harry Souttar, but Kelechi Iheanacho equalised again with a header before Tete rounded Emiliano Martinez to put Leicester ahead at the break.
Philippe Coutinho saw a goal ruled out for offside as Emery's side piled on the pressure in the second half, but Rodgers saw his team seal the much-needed points when substitute Dennis Praet ran through to score.
Tete, a short-term signing from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk, impressed throughout and may prove the spark the Foxes need to avoid a scrap against relegation.
Before kick-off, Rodgers said his side faced "18 cup finals" to move away from peril at the foot of the table, and the man who guided Leicester to FA Cup glory in 2021 delivered success in this game too.
That did not appear too likely in the opening stages as the energetic hosts swept ahead.
Leicester needed a game changer and, after a productive transfer window, Rodgers now appears to have several in his squad. Maddison, making his first league start in two months, was a class act throughout and soon equalised after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall robbed Boubacar Kamara, before Tete made his mark.
The Brazilian went close with two curling efforts after good runs down the right and stayed alert to round Martinez and score with style.
The unfortunate own goal aside, Souttar looked an imposing presence on his Premier League bow, and third new signing Victor Kristiansen also posed a threat from left-back.
The new faces held firm as Villa poured forward after the break, and a first win since the World Cup has seen Leicester rise up the table, with some tough tests ahead.
BBC Sport
Leicester City Confirm Souttar Signing From Stoke City
Leicester City Football Club is pleased to confirm the signing of central defender Harry Souttar from Stoke City, subject to Premier League approval.
- Leicester City sign Australia international Harry Souttar from Stoke City
- The defender recently represented his country at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
- He has agreed a five-and-a-half-year deal at King Power Stadium
The 24-year-old, who played four times and was a standout performer for Australia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, joins the Foxes on a contract to the summer of 2028.
He has made 70 appearances for the Potters in all competitions since moving to Staffordshire from Dundee United in 2016.
He said: “I’m delighted to join such a great Football Club and challenging myself in the Premier League is an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. There are world-class facilities here and a squad full of fantastic players, so I can’t wait to get started.”
Born in Aberdeen, Souttar began his career with Dundee United and made his senior debut for the club against Partick Thistle in May 2016.
He moved to the Potteries later that summer, signing a three-year-deal and making his Stoke bow in an EFL Cup win over Rochdale in August 2017.
The defender later returned north, joining Scottish Championship side Ross County on loan for the remainder of the 2017/18 campaign.
His development continued the following year as he moved to Fleetwood Town on loan in January 2019 before re-joining the club and extending his stay at Highbury for the 2019/20 season.
The following campaign quickly saw him establish himself as a key member of the Stoke City team, while impressing as one of the Championship’s most talented defenders.
Since returning from the 2022 FIFA World Cup last month, where he received significant praise for his performances, Souttar has been a mainstay for the Potters, playing on six occasions.
He has 13 international caps to his name with Australia since his debut against Nepal in 2019 – a game that saw him score twice, with five of six international goals coming in his first three appearances.
Alongside his impressive displays at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Souttar has also represented the Socceroos at the Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2020.
He will now join up with his new teammates ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash at Aston Villa (3pm GMT kick-off).
LCFC.COM
Leicester City Football Club is pleased to confirm the signing of central defender Harry Souttar from Stoke City, subject to Premier League approval.
- Leicester City sign Australia international Harry Souttar from Stoke City
- The defender recently represented his country at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
- He has agreed a five-and-a-half-year deal at King Power Stadium
The 24-year-old, who played four times and was a standout performer for Australia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, joins the Foxes on a contract to the summer of 2028.
He has made 70 appearances for the Potters in all competitions since moving to Staffordshire from Dundee United in 2016.
He said: “I’m delighted to join such a great Football Club and challenging myself in the Premier League is an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. There are world-class facilities here and a squad full of fantastic players, so I can’t wait to get started.”
Born in Aberdeen, Souttar began his career with Dundee United and made his senior debut for the club against Partick Thistle in May 2016.
He moved to the Potteries later that summer, signing a three-year-deal and making his Stoke bow in an EFL Cup win over Rochdale in August 2017.
The defender later returned north, joining Scottish Championship side Ross County on loan for the remainder of the 2017/18 campaign.
His development continued the following year as he moved to Fleetwood Town on loan in January 2019 before re-joining the club and extending his stay at Highbury for the 2019/20 season.
The following campaign quickly saw him establish himself as a key member of the Stoke City team, while impressing as one of the Championship’s most talented defenders.
Since returning from the 2022 FIFA World Cup last month, where he received significant praise for his performances, Souttar has been a mainstay for the Potters, playing on six occasions.
He has 13 international caps to his name with Australia since his debut against Nepal in 2019 – a game that saw him score twice, with five of six international goals coming in his first three appearances.
Alongside his impressive displays at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Souttar has also represented the Socceroos at the Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2020.
He will now join up with his new teammates ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash at Aston Villa (3pm GMT kick-off).
LCFC.COM
Albrighton Joins West Brom On Loan
Long-serving Leicester City midfielder Marc Albrighton has joined Championship side West Bromwich Albion on loan for the remainder of the 2022/23 season, subject to league approval.
- Marc Albrighton is to spend remainder of 2022/23 season on loan at West Brom
- The midfielder has made 295 appearances for the Foxes, scoring 19 goals
- He has won the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield as a Leicester City player
The 33-year-old joined City after leaving Aston Villa in the summer of 2014 and has made 295 appearances for the Foxes in all competitions so far, scoring 19 goals.
A favourite among the Blue Army, Albrighton has been at the heart of some of the most memorable moments in the Club’s history, most notably the 2015/16 Premier League title win and more recently the Emirates FA Cup triumph in 2020/21.
Albrighton signed a new three-year deal with the Football Club in the summer of 2021, which will see him reach a decade as a Leicester City player in 2024.
He heads to the Hawthorns for the second half of the current campaign, linking up with a Baggies side who are currently 10th in the Championship table ahead of their home tie against Coventry City on Friday 3 February (8pm kick-off).
LCFC.COM
Long-serving Leicester City midfielder Marc Albrighton has joined Championship side West Bromwich Albion on loan for the remainder of the 2022/23 season, subject to league approval.
- Marc Albrighton is to spend remainder of 2022/23 season on loan at West Brom
- The midfielder has made 295 appearances for the Foxes, scoring 19 goals
- He has won the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield as a Leicester City player
The 33-year-old joined City after leaving Aston Villa in the summer of 2014 and has made 295 appearances for the Foxes in all competitions so far, scoring 19 goals.
A favourite among the Blue Army, Albrighton has been at the heart of some of the most memorable moments in the Club’s history, most notably the 2015/16 Premier League title win and more recently the Emirates FA Cup triumph in 2020/21.
Albrighton signed a new three-year deal with the Football Club in the summer of 2021, which will see him reach a decade as a Leicester City player in 2024.
He heads to the Hawthorns for the second half of the current campaign, linking up with a Baggies side who are currently 10th in the Championship table ahead of their home tie against Coventry City on Friday 3 February (8pm kick-off).
LCFC.COM
Youngster Opoku Signs LCFC Deal Ahead Of Loan
Leicester City have completed the signing of Ghanaian striker Nathan Opoku from FDM Field Masters Sporting Club, with the youngster to join OH Leuven on loan for the remainder of the 2022/23 season, subject to league and international clearance.
- Young striker joins Leicester City before loan move to Belgium
- Opoku to spend the remainder of the season with OH Leuven
The 21-year-old striker, who has represented Ghana at youth level, joins the Foxes from the Ghanian sideafter a successful period in the American college system, where he helped Syracuse University to its first NCAA Division 1 Men’s Soccer Championship in December last year.
Opoku’s footballing development will now continue on loan with Jupiler Pro League side OH Leuven, who currently sit 10th in the league and next face RFC Seraing on Saturday 4 February.
LCFC.COM
Leicester City have completed the signing of Ghanaian striker Nathan Opoku from FDM Field Masters Sporting Club, with the youngster to join OH Leuven on loan for the remainder of the 2022/23 season, subject to league and international clearance.
- Young striker joins Leicester City before loan move to Belgium
- Opoku to spend the remainder of the season with OH Leuven
The 21-year-old striker, who has represented Ghana at youth level, joins the Foxes from the Ghanian sideafter a successful period in the American college system, where he helped Syracuse University to its first NCAA Division 1 Men’s Soccer Championship in December last year.
Opoku’s footballing development will now continue on loan with Jupiler Pro League side OH Leuven, who currently sit 10th in the league and next face RFC Seraing on Saturday 4 February.
LCFC.COM
Tete: Leicester City sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger until June as Lyon loan ends
Leicester City have signed Brazilian winger Tete from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk until June.
The 22-year-old had been on loan at French side Lyon since March 2022 following the suspension of his contract with Shakhtar.
World governing body Fifa ruled foreign players in Ukraine could suspend their contracts until 30 June 2023 following Russia's invasion of the country.
Leicester say the forward is "currently due to return to Shakhtar on 1 July".
Tete, who made 30 appearances for Lyon with eight goals and 10 assists, remains under contract at Shakhtar until the end of 2023.
"I'm really happy to be here," said Tete after arriving at the King Power Stadium.
"I've had a look at the pitch and the stadium, it's beautiful and I can already imagine what it'll be like with a lot of fans.
"I hope to score a lot of goals and assists. I hope they'll all be happy to see me play, I'm happy to be a Fox."
Leicester are 14th in the Premier League but only one point above the relegation zone.
'Tete will add flair, threat and goals' - analysisOwynn Palmer-Atkin, BBC Radio Leicester
Tete becomes Leicester's second January signing. The deal is only six months long - and there's a complicated reason behind this
Because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he was able to sign for Lyon until the end of the season. Leicester have essentially bought him out of that deal, but he still has a contract with Shakhtar Donetsk until 31 December this year
This means that the Foxes will have to renegotiate for their first Brazilian player again in the summer, should they want to sign him permanently.
Alternatively, they could sign him on a pre-contract agreement for free in the summer - but he would only be able to join following the expiration of his Shakhtar deal on 31 December.
He will add much needed flair, threat and goals to the forward line as the Foxes prepare themselves for a relegation battle.
Perhaps most importantly, he will be able to play on the right wing, which will free playmaker James Maddison to come back into the midfield. That could be key to the rest of the season for Leicester.
BBC
Leicester City have signed Brazilian winger Tete from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk until June.
The 22-year-old had been on loan at French side Lyon since March 2022 following the suspension of his contract with Shakhtar.
World governing body Fifa ruled foreign players in Ukraine could suspend their contracts until 30 June 2023 following Russia's invasion of the country.
Leicester say the forward is "currently due to return to Shakhtar on 1 July".
Tete, who made 30 appearances for Lyon with eight goals and 10 assists, remains under contract at Shakhtar until the end of 2023.
"I'm really happy to be here," said Tete after arriving at the King Power Stadium.
"I've had a look at the pitch and the stadium, it's beautiful and I can already imagine what it'll be like with a lot of fans.
"I hope to score a lot of goals and assists. I hope they'll all be happy to see me play, I'm happy to be a Fox."
Leicester are 14th in the Premier League but only one point above the relegation zone.
'Tete will add flair, threat and goals' - analysisOwynn Palmer-Atkin, BBC Radio Leicester
Tete becomes Leicester's second January signing. The deal is only six months long - and there's a complicated reason behind this
Because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he was able to sign for Lyon until the end of the season. Leicester have essentially bought him out of that deal, but he still has a contract with Shakhtar Donetsk until 31 December this year
This means that the Foxes will have to renegotiate for their first Brazilian player again in the summer, should they want to sign him permanently.
Alternatively, they could sign him on a pre-contract agreement for free in the summer - but he would only be able to join following the expiration of his Shakhtar deal on 31 December.
He will add much needed flair, threat and goals to the forward line as the Foxes prepare themselves for a relegation battle.
Perhaps most importantly, he will be able to play on the right wing, which will free playmaker James Maddison to come back into the midfield. That could be key to the rest of the season for Leicester.
BBC
Walsall 0-1 Leicester City | FA Cup
Iheanacho strike takes Leicester past Walsall into fifth round.
Leicester City booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round after overcoming League Two Walsall 1-0 at the Bescot Stadium.
Kelechi Iheanacho's fortuitous second-half strike broke the resistance of League Two Walsall and sent Leicester into the FA Cup fifth round.
After Youri Tielemans had missed a penalty on a testing afternoon for a strong Foxes side, Iheanacho's effort from the edge of the box deflected off Brandon Comley and looped over Saddlers goalkeeper Owen Evans in the 68th minute.
It was the Nigeria international's 17th goal in 23 FA Cup appearances - the most by any player since Iheanacho made his debut in the competition in 2016.
Walsall, one of the form sides in League Two, had defended admirably against the 2021 Cup winners, cheered on by a capacity crowd at a sold-out Bescot Stadium.
Evans made a series of smart saves while Tielemans struck the post with his spot-kick moments after half-time, after Patson Daka was fouled by Isaac Hutchinson.
A point-blank stop from Evans denied Iheanacho a second in the final 10 minutes and kept an entertaining tie alive until the finish, but Leicester held firm for a much-needed Cup win amid their struggles in the Premier League.
On paper this tie had the makings of an FA Cup upset - a Premier League team without a league win in five games, visiting an in-form fourth-tier side who had won nine of their last 12 games in a charged-up atmosphere.
Walsall made the game a contest from the opening seconds by charging out of the blocks to close down the Leicester defenders. At the end their fans applauded the players from the field despite the scoreline.
Leicester, whose team included James Maddison for his first start since the World Cup and a debut off the bench for £17m signing Victor Kristiansen, had been made to work.
For more than an hour it looked as though wastefulness in the first half, from Daka in particular, and Tielemans' miss would cost Leicester despite domination of the ball.
When needed, Walsall's defenders had thrown themselves to block shots while Evans' double save from Tielemans and Daka was particularly impressive.
Unfortunately for the Saddlers, it was one of those blocks which proved crucial - Comley a little too slow to close down substitute Iheanacho.
It resulted in the Foxes' second successive 1-0 win against League Two opposition in the FA Cup this season.
Iheanacho, a man fast becoming an FA Cup specialist, has scored the winner on both occasions.
Sky/ BBC Sport
Iheanacho strike takes Leicester past Walsall into fifth round.
Leicester City booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round after overcoming League Two Walsall 1-0 at the Bescot Stadium.
Kelechi Iheanacho's fortuitous second-half strike broke the resistance of League Two Walsall and sent Leicester into the FA Cup fifth round.
After Youri Tielemans had missed a penalty on a testing afternoon for a strong Foxes side, Iheanacho's effort from the edge of the box deflected off Brandon Comley and looped over Saddlers goalkeeper Owen Evans in the 68th minute.
It was the Nigeria international's 17th goal in 23 FA Cup appearances - the most by any player since Iheanacho made his debut in the competition in 2016.
Walsall, one of the form sides in League Two, had defended admirably against the 2021 Cup winners, cheered on by a capacity crowd at a sold-out Bescot Stadium.
Evans made a series of smart saves while Tielemans struck the post with his spot-kick moments after half-time, after Patson Daka was fouled by Isaac Hutchinson.
A point-blank stop from Evans denied Iheanacho a second in the final 10 minutes and kept an entertaining tie alive until the finish, but Leicester held firm for a much-needed Cup win amid their struggles in the Premier League.
On paper this tie had the makings of an FA Cup upset - a Premier League team without a league win in five games, visiting an in-form fourth-tier side who had won nine of their last 12 games in a charged-up atmosphere.
Walsall made the game a contest from the opening seconds by charging out of the blocks to close down the Leicester defenders. At the end their fans applauded the players from the field despite the scoreline.
Leicester, whose team included James Maddison for his first start since the World Cup and a debut off the bench for £17m signing Victor Kristiansen, had been made to work.
For more than an hour it looked as though wastefulness in the first half, from Daka in particular, and Tielemans' miss would cost Leicester despite domination of the ball.
When needed, Walsall's defenders had thrown themselves to block shots while Evans' double save from Tielemans and Daka was particularly impressive.
Unfortunately for the Saddlers, it was one of those blocks which proved crucial - Comley a little too slow to close down substitute Iheanacho.
It resulted in the Foxes' second successive 1-0 win against League Two opposition in the FA Cup this season.
Iheanacho, a man fast becoming an FA Cup specialist, has scored the winner on both occasions.
Sky/ BBC Sport
Leicester City 2-2 Brighton | Premier League
Seagulls rescue point in Fergie time
Brighton & Hove Albion climbed into the Premier League (PL) top-six after Evan Ferguson’s late equaliser secured a 2-2 draw with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes headed into this clash with high-flying Brighton without a win in their past four league outings, leaving under-fire boss Brendan Rodgers searching for solutions. After a low-key opening to the contest, which saw the visitors dominate possession from the outset, Roberto De Zerbi’s men took the lead when Kaoru Mitoma, scoring his fourth league goal of the campaign, curled in a sensational strike from the edge of the area into the top corner after cutting in from the left-hand side.
Not long after the opening goal had hit the back of the net, both teams were forced into early changes because of injury. Adam Lallana was replaced by Joël Veltman for the visitors, while Marc Albrighton took Dennis Praet’s place for Leicester. Although the alteration was unplanned for Rodgers’ side, it soon paid dividends when Albrighton hammered home a rebounded effort from close range to net the Foxes equaliser moments after coming onto the field.
It was all to play for after the interval, but it was Brighton who continued to be in command of the ball after emerging from the tunnel for the second half. While trying to break through the Leicester defence, Danny Welbeck saw his penalty appeal waved away after going down inside the area. Down at the other end of the field, the hosts took advantage and completed their turnaround through Harvey Barnes, who was in the right place at the right time to fire in Luke Thomas’ flick on from a corner, much to the relief of the home supporters.
Rodgers was able to welcome James Maddison back from the bench, with the England international returning to action following a spell on the sidelines. It was another positive moment for the Foxes, but they now needed to cross the finishing line to make sure they took home the spoils. Brighton pressure mounted and eventually told as they rescued a point through Ferguson, who made sure the Seagulls extended their unbeaten PL run to three games with an 88th minute header to break Leicester hearts.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Pervis Estupiñán (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Flashscore.co.uk
Seagulls rescue point in Fergie time
Brighton & Hove Albion climbed into the Premier League (PL) top-six after Evan Ferguson’s late equaliser secured a 2-2 draw with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes headed into this clash with high-flying Brighton without a win in their past four league outings, leaving under-fire boss Brendan Rodgers searching for solutions. After a low-key opening to the contest, which saw the visitors dominate possession from the outset, Roberto De Zerbi’s men took the lead when Kaoru Mitoma, scoring his fourth league goal of the campaign, curled in a sensational strike from the edge of the area into the top corner after cutting in from the left-hand side.
Not long after the opening goal had hit the back of the net, both teams were forced into early changes because of injury. Adam Lallana was replaced by Joël Veltman for the visitors, while Marc Albrighton took Dennis Praet’s place for Leicester. Although the alteration was unplanned for Rodgers’ side, it soon paid dividends when Albrighton hammered home a rebounded effort from close range to net the Foxes equaliser moments after coming onto the field.
It was all to play for after the interval, but it was Brighton who continued to be in command of the ball after emerging from the tunnel for the second half. While trying to break through the Leicester defence, Danny Welbeck saw his penalty appeal waved away after going down inside the area. Down at the other end of the field, the hosts took advantage and completed their turnaround through Harvey Barnes, who was in the right place at the right time to fire in Luke Thomas’ flick on from a corner, much to the relief of the home supporters.
Rodgers was able to welcome James Maddison back from the bench, with the England international returning to action following a spell on the sidelines. It was another positive moment for the Foxes, but they now needed to cross the finishing line to make sure they took home the spoils. Brighton pressure mounted and eventually told as they rescued a point through Ferguson, who made sure the Seagulls extended their unbeaten PL run to three games with an 88th minute header to break Leicester hearts.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Pervis Estupiñán (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Flashscore.co.uk
Leicester City transfer news as the club confirm the arrival of left-back Victor Kristiansen from FC Copenhagen
Leicester City Football Club is pleased to confirm the signing of talented young defender Victor Kristiansen from Danish Superliga side F.C. Copenhagen, subject to league and international clearance.
The highly rated 20-year-old, who made 24 appearances for F.C. Copenhagen this season, has agreed a contract until the summer of 2028 at King Power Stadium.
Speaking to LCFC.com, he said: “It feels amazing. It’s really exciting to be here and I’m so excited to meet everyone at the Club, as well as the fans.
“The Premier League is probably the best league in the world, and Leicester is a top team, so of course, I was excited. It was a no-brainer for me to say yes to this great opportunity.”
A graduate of F.C. Copenhagen’s youth system, the left-back made his professional debut at the age of 17 in a 3-1 away win over SønderjyskE in November 2020.
He has since established himself as one of Denmark’s most promising young players and has made over 70 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Internationally, he has represented his country at various youth levels, including eight caps for the Under-21s side where he helped the team reach the quarter-finals of the 2021 UEFA Under-21 European Championships.
Victor will be at King Power Stadium on Saturday to watch City’s Premier League encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion, before joining First Team training on Monday ahead of next Saturday’s trip to Walsall in the Emirates FA Cup.
LCFC.COM
Leicester City Football Club is pleased to confirm the signing of talented young defender Victor Kristiansen from Danish Superliga side F.C. Copenhagen, subject to league and international clearance.
The highly rated 20-year-old, who made 24 appearances for F.C. Copenhagen this season, has agreed a contract until the summer of 2028 at King Power Stadium.
Speaking to LCFC.com, he said: “It feels amazing. It’s really exciting to be here and I’m so excited to meet everyone at the Club, as well as the fans.
“The Premier League is probably the best league in the world, and Leicester is a top team, so of course, I was excited. It was a no-brainer for me to say yes to this great opportunity.”
A graduate of F.C. Copenhagen’s youth system, the left-back made his professional debut at the age of 17 in a 3-1 away win over SønderjyskE in November 2020.
He has since established himself as one of Denmark’s most promising young players and has made over 70 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Internationally, he has represented his country at various youth levels, including eight caps for the Under-21s side where he helped the team reach the quarter-finals of the 2021 UEFA Under-21 European Championships.
Victor will be at King Power Stadium on Saturday to watch City’s Premier League encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion, before joining First Team training on Monday ahead of next Saturday’s trip to Walsall in the Emirates FA Cup.
LCFC.COM
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Leicester City | Premier League
Nottingham Forest made it back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season after Brennan Johnson's second-half double earned victory over East Midlands rivals Leicester.
The Wales international opened the scoring when he raced onto Morgan Gibbs-White's through-ball and rounded Danny Ward before stroking home his fifth goal of the season.
The same duo combined for the second goal, with Johnson collecting Gibbs-White's fine pass before blasting the ball into the far corner.
Leicester offered little as an attacking threat, with Harvey Barnes spurning their best effort in the first half when he skewed a first-time effort wide when unmarked inside the penalty area.
The win lifts Forest up to 13th in the table and five points clear of the bottom three, with Leicester, who have now lost four successive Premier League games, just two points clear of the drop zone in 15th.
Cooper delight at 'big win' over rivals LeicesterSteve Cooper's future as Forest manager appeared to be in doubt after a 4-0 thrashing by Leicester in October, their fifth straight defeat, left the club bottom of the table.
However, Forest responded by offering Cooper a new contract and they have been rewarded by that show of loyalty with a run of just three defeats in 11 Premier League games since.
"I reminded the players of the support the fans gave when we were 4-0 down at the King Power," Cooper told BBC Match of the Day. "So we wanted to give something back to the fans."
They were deserved winners here thanks to a much-improved second half display after a drab opening 45 minutes, with Johnson and Gibbs-White at the heart of all their good play.
Their opener arrived when Gibbs-White found himself in space in the centre circle and threaded the ball through to Johnson, who initially saw his celebrations cut short by the off-side flag before the goal was given by the Video Assistant Referee.
Gibbs-White's assist for the second was even better, with his pass with the outside of his right foot finding Johnson, whose fine first touch took the ball away from a chasing defender and allowed him to power it into the far corner.
"I'm really pleased Brennan has scored from open play," added Cooper. "It's been coming, he has been working so hard and took his goals really well. He deserves that and the team deserve it. It capped off a really good day."
It caps a memorable few days for Forest after their penalty shootout win against Wolves sent them through to the EFL Cup semi-finals.
The only concern was a muscle injury to goalkeeper Dean Henderson late on as he took a goal-kick, with Cooper later revealing it "doesn't look good".
Forest had used all their substitutes so could not bring on a replacement, but Henderson was able to continue as they saw out the game.
The jubilant scenes among the Forest supporters were in sharp contrast to the furious reaction of the visiting fans at the final whistle, who made their displeasure at the performance clear.
After reviving their season with a run of five wins from six before the World Cup, Leicester's form has collapsed since the resumption and they have dropped perilously close to the bottom three to pile the pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers.
In a game of few chances, the Foxes will rue that early miss by Barnes, who also spurned another fine opportunity at the start of the second when he was played in by Youri Tielemans.
But after falling behind shortly after, what little attacking threat Leicester had fizzled away and they rarely looked like getting back into the game, managing just one shot on target throughout the whole 90 minutes.
"In the second half we weren't good, I thought in the first half we were the better team but didn't take our chances," Rodgers told BBC Match of the Day.
"In fairness to Brennan Johnson, he finished his chances really well. He scored his two chances and we weren't able to.
"We are doing our very best but we have just not been good enough. We have to do our best and we will keep fighting.
"On a personal level, I know the game. I came in to do my very best and that's all I will ever do. It's been really disappointing since the World Cup break."
BBC Sport
Nottingham Forest made it back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season after Brennan Johnson's second-half double earned victory over East Midlands rivals Leicester.
The Wales international opened the scoring when he raced onto Morgan Gibbs-White's through-ball and rounded Danny Ward before stroking home his fifth goal of the season.
The same duo combined for the second goal, with Johnson collecting Gibbs-White's fine pass before blasting the ball into the far corner.
Leicester offered little as an attacking threat, with Harvey Barnes spurning their best effort in the first half when he skewed a first-time effort wide when unmarked inside the penalty area.
The win lifts Forest up to 13th in the table and five points clear of the bottom three, with Leicester, who have now lost four successive Premier League games, just two points clear of the drop zone in 15th.
Cooper delight at 'big win' over rivals LeicesterSteve Cooper's future as Forest manager appeared to be in doubt after a 4-0 thrashing by Leicester in October, their fifth straight defeat, left the club bottom of the table.
However, Forest responded by offering Cooper a new contract and they have been rewarded by that show of loyalty with a run of just three defeats in 11 Premier League games since.
"I reminded the players of the support the fans gave when we were 4-0 down at the King Power," Cooper told BBC Match of the Day. "So we wanted to give something back to the fans."
They were deserved winners here thanks to a much-improved second half display after a drab opening 45 minutes, with Johnson and Gibbs-White at the heart of all their good play.
Their opener arrived when Gibbs-White found himself in space in the centre circle and threaded the ball through to Johnson, who initially saw his celebrations cut short by the off-side flag before the goal was given by the Video Assistant Referee.
Gibbs-White's assist for the second was even better, with his pass with the outside of his right foot finding Johnson, whose fine first touch took the ball away from a chasing defender and allowed him to power it into the far corner.
"I'm really pleased Brennan has scored from open play," added Cooper. "It's been coming, he has been working so hard and took his goals really well. He deserves that and the team deserve it. It capped off a really good day."
It caps a memorable few days for Forest after their penalty shootout win against Wolves sent them through to the EFL Cup semi-finals.
The only concern was a muscle injury to goalkeeper Dean Henderson late on as he took a goal-kick, with Cooper later revealing it "doesn't look good".
Forest had used all their substitutes so could not bring on a replacement, but Henderson was able to continue as they saw out the game.
The jubilant scenes among the Forest supporters were in sharp contrast to the furious reaction of the visiting fans at the final whistle, who made their displeasure at the performance clear.
After reviving their season with a run of five wins from six before the World Cup, Leicester's form has collapsed since the resumption and they have dropped perilously close to the bottom three to pile the pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers.
In a game of few chances, the Foxes will rue that early miss by Barnes, who also spurned another fine opportunity at the start of the second when he was played in by Youri Tielemans.
But after falling behind shortly after, what little attacking threat Leicester had fizzled away and they rarely looked like getting back into the game, managing just one shot on target throughout the whole 90 minutes.
"In the second half we weren't good, I thought in the first half we were the better team but didn't take our chances," Rodgers told BBC Match of the Day.
"In fairness to Brennan Johnson, he finished his chances really well. He scored his two chances and we weren't able to.
"We are doing our very best but we have just not been good enough. We have to do our best and we will keep fighting.
"On a personal level, I know the game. I came in to do my very best and that's all I will ever do. It's been really disappointing since the World Cup break."
BBC Sport
Newcastle United 2-0 Leicester City | Carabao Cup Quarter Final
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said "you couldn't script it" as Dan Burn's first goal for his boyhood club sent the Magpies on their way to the Carabao Cup semi-final with victory over Leicester.
The Magpies, who sit third in the Premier League and are hunting a first trophy in more than 50 years, did not let a fervent and expectant St James' Park down.
They wasted a host of chances before 6ft 6in defender Burn ran on to Joelinton's pass, beat two defenders and slotted a shot into the bottom corner.
"Incredible moment for Dan Burn. I am so pleased for him," said Howe. "This is his club and he has come back here and he is savouring every moment."
Burn, who joined Newcastle from Brighton last year, said: "I used to sit in the east stand. You always want to score in front of the Gallowgate end. To do that in front of my family was amazing. "I like to get forward and it's entertaining watching a guy my size running into the box."
The scoring was not finished, however, as Joelinton coolly netted from Miguel Almiron's incisive pass to wrap up the victory.
A 5-0 win would not have flattered the Magpies, with Joelinton hitting the post and Sean Longstaff missing several chances.
Substitute Jamie Vardy missed two glorious chances to get Leicester back into the game but their performance merited nothing.
It was another miserable night for Brendan Rodgers' side, who have only beaten MK Dons and Gillingham since the break in their season in November.
Unlike Newcastle, 2021 FA Cup winners Leicester have plenty of recent pedigree. This was their sixth cup quarter-final since Rodgers arrived in 2019.
The manager and goalkeeper Ward said they hoped to use that experience in their pre-match interviews. But there was no sign of that.
Leicester have failed to rediscover the momentum that had taken them up the league before the World Cup break - and there must be concern at King Power Stadium.
Their defending was shocking on Tyneside as they left space for waves of Newcastle attacks, and when they won the ball they failed to get up the field.
Marc Albrighton and Timothy Castagne both lost possession when trying to clear the ball in the move that led to the hosts' opener.
Had Vardy not shot wide when unmarked near the penalty spot, they could have set up a grandstand finish. But 22-7 on shots and 9-1 on efforts on target tells a fair story of the game.
Back to the Premier League now for Leicester, who have less than half the points of Newcastle and sit two points above the drop zone.
BBC Sport
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said "you couldn't script it" as Dan Burn's first goal for his boyhood club sent the Magpies on their way to the Carabao Cup semi-final with victory over Leicester.
The Magpies, who sit third in the Premier League and are hunting a first trophy in more than 50 years, did not let a fervent and expectant St James' Park down.
They wasted a host of chances before 6ft 6in defender Burn ran on to Joelinton's pass, beat two defenders and slotted a shot into the bottom corner.
"Incredible moment for Dan Burn. I am so pleased for him," said Howe. "This is his club and he has come back here and he is savouring every moment."
Burn, who joined Newcastle from Brighton last year, said: "I used to sit in the east stand. You always want to score in front of the Gallowgate end. To do that in front of my family was amazing. "I like to get forward and it's entertaining watching a guy my size running into the box."
The scoring was not finished, however, as Joelinton coolly netted from Miguel Almiron's incisive pass to wrap up the victory.
A 5-0 win would not have flattered the Magpies, with Joelinton hitting the post and Sean Longstaff missing several chances.
Substitute Jamie Vardy missed two glorious chances to get Leicester back into the game but their performance merited nothing.
It was another miserable night for Brendan Rodgers' side, who have only beaten MK Dons and Gillingham since the break in their season in November.
Unlike Newcastle, 2021 FA Cup winners Leicester have plenty of recent pedigree. This was their sixth cup quarter-final since Rodgers arrived in 2019.
The manager and goalkeeper Ward said they hoped to use that experience in their pre-match interviews. But there was no sign of that.
Leicester have failed to rediscover the momentum that had taken them up the league before the World Cup break - and there must be concern at King Power Stadium.
Their defending was shocking on Tyneside as they left space for waves of Newcastle attacks, and when they won the ball they failed to get up the field.
Marc Albrighton and Timothy Castagne both lost possession when trying to clear the ball in the move that led to the hosts' opener.
Had Vardy not shot wide when unmarked near the penalty spot, they could have set up a grandstand finish. But 22-7 on shots and 9-1 on efforts on target tells a fair story of the game.
Back to the Premier League now for Leicester, who have less than half the points of Newcastle and sit two points above the drop zone.
BBC Sport
Gillingham 0-1 Leicester City | FA Cup 3rd Round
Leicester City edged past League Two Gillingham 1-0 in the FA Cup third round in blustery conditions at Priestfield Stadium.
The Foxes were limited in chances and frustrated in the first half by a well-organised Gillingham side. They started the second half brighter and found the opening through Kelechi Iheanacho, who managed to fire home Kasey McAteer's drilled cross.
The draw for the fourth round takes place on 8 January at 16:05 GMT.
Leicester arrived at League Two Gillingham after a disappointing run of three consecutive defeats in the Premier League. In blustery conditions, Jamie Vardy was the first to test Gills goalkeeper Jake Turner inside five minutes, but the 23-year-old blocked the striker's attempt to the delight of the home fans.Less than a minute later, a positive counter-attack by Gillingham resulted in midfielder Dom Jefferies trying a low effort that was saved by Leicester keeper Daniel Iversen.
Neil Harris' Gillingham have only scored seven league goals this season, but captain Shaun Williams also came close to causing Leicester problems with two chances in the opening 45 minutes. But the hosts' resistance was broken after the break in a scrappy manner as McAteer's ball into the middle bobbled across the pitch and landed at the feet of Iheanacho who lashed a shot into the top corner.
The conditions were far from ideal for the travelling supporters in Kent, but at least the journey home will be happier this time around for the Leicester faithful with a place in the FA Cup fourth round secured. Brendan Rodgers made eight changes to the side beaten by Fulham in midweek and was hoping an FA Cup giant-killing would not be added to their miserable run of form.
The 2020-21 winners had to work hard throughout the 90 minutes and really should have doubled their lead late on when Iheanacho sent a searching low cross to the back post which substitute Patson Daka failed to connect with.
For Gillingham, a tie against a top-flight team did not end in embarrassment and for large parts of the game they matched the Foxes' intensity and tenacity, with the club's new owner Brad Galinson saying they played with "heart and soul" in a half-time interview.
Galinson and Gills boss Harris will now be focused on trying to keep the club in the Football League and using this performance as the catalyst.
BBC Sport
Leicester City edged past League Two Gillingham 1-0 in the FA Cup third round in blustery conditions at Priestfield Stadium.
The Foxes were limited in chances and frustrated in the first half by a well-organised Gillingham side. They started the second half brighter and found the opening through Kelechi Iheanacho, who managed to fire home Kasey McAteer's drilled cross.
The draw for the fourth round takes place on 8 January at 16:05 GMT.
Leicester arrived at League Two Gillingham after a disappointing run of three consecutive defeats in the Premier League. In blustery conditions, Jamie Vardy was the first to test Gills goalkeeper Jake Turner inside five minutes, but the 23-year-old blocked the striker's attempt to the delight of the home fans.Less than a minute later, a positive counter-attack by Gillingham resulted in midfielder Dom Jefferies trying a low effort that was saved by Leicester keeper Daniel Iversen.
Neil Harris' Gillingham have only scored seven league goals this season, but captain Shaun Williams also came close to causing Leicester problems with two chances in the opening 45 minutes. But the hosts' resistance was broken after the break in a scrappy manner as McAteer's ball into the middle bobbled across the pitch and landed at the feet of Iheanacho who lashed a shot into the top corner.
The conditions were far from ideal for the travelling supporters in Kent, but at least the journey home will be happier this time around for the Leicester faithful with a place in the FA Cup fourth round secured. Brendan Rodgers made eight changes to the side beaten by Fulham in midweek and was hoping an FA Cup giant-killing would not be added to their miserable run of form.
The 2020-21 winners had to work hard throughout the 90 minutes and really should have doubled their lead late on when Iheanacho sent a searching low cross to the back post which substitute Patson Daka failed to connect with.
For Gillingham, a tie against a top-flight team did not end in embarrassment and for large parts of the game they matched the Foxes' intensity and tenacity, with the club's new owner Brad Galinson saying they played with "heart and soul" in a half-time interview.
Galinson and Gills boss Harris will now be focused on trying to keep the club in the Football League and using this performance as the catalyst.
BBC Sport
Leicester City 0-1 Fulham | Premier League
Cottagers feeling at home after fending off Foxes
Aleksandar Mitrović struck a decisive first-half winner as Fulham won three successive Premier League matches for the first time since 2011 with a 1-0 victory against Leicester.
As the season of not-so-good cheer ended for Leicester with back-to-back Premier League defeats, the Foxes were hoping their positive record of nine wins from their last 14 to start a new year could provide some relief to begin 2023. In contrast,
Fulham won their previous two and started this match closer to the Premier League top four than the relegation places and the visitors’ positivity showed immediately when a flowing attack ended with Willian driving a shot just over the crossbar.
The Cottagers upped the intensity and Willian was given space on the edge of the area once again to find Mitrović in the area. The Serbian made no mistake and became the third-ever Fulham player to score in three consecutive away Premier League matches with a clever first touch and half volley past Danny Ward.
Leicester’s mission now was to avoid a third successive home defeat without scoring for the first time since 1983 and the boos from the King Power faithful spurred the hosts into life. Youri Tielemans found Ayoze Pérez unmarked but the forward lashed over from close range before Timothy Castagne headered inches wide late in the first half.
Leicester carried the momentum into the second half and a flurry of early chances came the Foxes' way as Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy forced Bernd Leno into early saves before Tielemans curled just wide from 25 yards.
Fulham eventually gathered their composure and limited Leicester to a few half chances until Tielemans gave the Cottagers a late fright with a dipping volley that thumped the crossbar.
Leicester couldn’t find the decisive moment and the three consecutive home defeats without scoring leaves the Foxes just three points off the relegation places. Fulham showed composure to ride out some late pressure and the Cottagers have now matched their tally of 28 points from their previous Premier League campaign in 2020/21.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Aleksandar Mitrović (Fulham)
Flashscore.co.uk
Cottagers feeling at home after fending off Foxes
Aleksandar Mitrović struck a decisive first-half winner as Fulham won three successive Premier League matches for the first time since 2011 with a 1-0 victory against Leicester.
As the season of not-so-good cheer ended for Leicester with back-to-back Premier League defeats, the Foxes were hoping their positive record of nine wins from their last 14 to start a new year could provide some relief to begin 2023. In contrast,
Fulham won their previous two and started this match closer to the Premier League top four than the relegation places and the visitors’ positivity showed immediately when a flowing attack ended with Willian driving a shot just over the crossbar.
The Cottagers upped the intensity and Willian was given space on the edge of the area once again to find Mitrović in the area. The Serbian made no mistake and became the third-ever Fulham player to score in three consecutive away Premier League matches with a clever first touch and half volley past Danny Ward.
Leicester’s mission now was to avoid a third successive home defeat without scoring for the first time since 1983 and the boos from the King Power faithful spurred the hosts into life. Youri Tielemans found Ayoze Pérez unmarked but the forward lashed over from close range before Timothy Castagne headered inches wide late in the first half.
Leicester carried the momentum into the second half and a flurry of early chances came the Foxes' way as Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy forced Bernd Leno into early saves before Tielemans curled just wide from 25 yards.
Fulham eventually gathered their composure and limited Leicester to a few half chances until Tielemans gave the Cottagers a late fright with a dipping volley that thumped the crossbar.
Leicester couldn’t find the decisive moment and the three consecutive home defeats without scoring leaves the Foxes just three points off the relegation places. Fulham showed composure to ride out some late pressure and the Cottagers have now matched their tally of 28 points from their previous Premier League campaign in 2020/21.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Aleksandar Mitrović (Fulham)
Flashscore.co.uk
Liverpool 2-1 Leicester City | Premier League
Liverpool picked up a fourth consecutive Premier League (PL) victory as they edged out Leicester City 2-1, albeit fortuitously thanks to two own-goals from Wout Faes.
The Foxes came into the game on the back of three consecutive away victories, all of which came with the added bonus of a clean sheet, and they were in front after less than four minutes at Anfield.
A long ball from Danny Ward found Harvey Barnes and, after quick one-touch football involving the winger and Patson Daka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall found himself in acres of space in the middle of the park.
Questions must be asked of the Reds’ backline, who allowed the 24-year-old to move forward unchallenged, but the finish was calm and composed.
Liverpool struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities in their attempts to equalise - they didn’t muster a shot on target until the 35th minute. Fortunately for Jürgen Klopp’s men, however, they were able to rely on Leicester defender Faes. The first own-goal was particularly unlucky, the ball slicing off his foot, over Ward and in via the post, but he should have comfortably cleared the second instead of striking into the roof of the net after Darwin Núñez had struck the post.
Despite testing their opponents’ goalkeeper just once before the interval, the hosts had two goals and a lead at the break - football is a funny game sometimes.
Klopp’s men were eager to extend their advantage at the start of the second period, as Henderson and Mohamed Salah both came within a whisker of finding the bottom corner, whilst Núñez will be disappointed after a series of inexplicable misses narrated his second-half performance. Leicester were not without attacking threat of their own,and Alisson needed to be alert to stop Barnes’ close-range effort. In the end, though, the hosts stood firm and were able to see the game out with relative ease.
The result sees Liverpool move up to sixth in the PL table, just two points adrift of Manchester United in fourth. Leicester, meanwhile, continue to languish in mid-table and must be careful not to get drawn into a relegation battle.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Flashscore.co.uk
Liverpool picked up a fourth consecutive Premier League (PL) victory as they edged out Leicester City 2-1, albeit fortuitously thanks to two own-goals from Wout Faes.
The Foxes came into the game on the back of three consecutive away victories, all of which came with the added bonus of a clean sheet, and they were in front after less than four minutes at Anfield.
A long ball from Danny Ward found Harvey Barnes and, after quick one-touch football involving the winger and Patson Daka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall found himself in acres of space in the middle of the park.
Questions must be asked of the Reds’ backline, who allowed the 24-year-old to move forward unchallenged, but the finish was calm and composed.
Liverpool struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities in their attempts to equalise - they didn’t muster a shot on target until the 35th minute. Fortunately for Jürgen Klopp’s men, however, they were able to rely on Leicester defender Faes. The first own-goal was particularly unlucky, the ball slicing off his foot, over Ward and in via the post, but he should have comfortably cleared the second instead of striking into the roof of the net after Darwin Núñez had struck the post.
Despite testing their opponents’ goalkeeper just once before the interval, the hosts had two goals and a lead at the break - football is a funny game sometimes.
Klopp’s men were eager to extend their advantage at the start of the second period, as Henderson and Mohamed Salah both came within a whisker of finding the bottom corner, whilst Núñez will be disappointed after a series of inexplicable misses narrated his second-half performance. Leicester were not without attacking threat of their own,and Alisson needed to be alert to stop Barnes’ close-range effort. In the end, though, the hosts stood firm and were able to see the game out with relative ease.
The result sees Liverpool move up to sixth in the PL table, just two points adrift of Manchester United in fourth. Leicester, meanwhile, continue to languish in mid-table and must be careful not to get drawn into a relegation battle.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Flashscore.co.uk
Leicester City 0-3 Newcastle United | Premier League
Foxes left bruised in Boxing Day thrashing
Newcastle United cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Leicester City to record their sixth consecutive Premier League (PL) victory, also ending a run of six straight league defeats in games played on Boxing Day.
After losing only one of their 15 PL games before the World Cup break, confidence was evidently still oozing through the Newcastle side, who took a sensational two-goal lead inside seven minutes. Firstly through Chris Wood, who thundered his spot-kick down the middle of the Leicester goal following Daniel Amartey’s reckless challenge on Joelinton.
The Magpies wasted little time in doubling their advantage through Miguel Almirón, who registered his ninth goal of the season. Almirón played a neat one-two with Bruno Guimarães, before the Paraguayan drove through the feeble Leicester defence, slotting the ball beyond Danny Ward.
Although the hosts began to show signs of improvement, their uphill task became something of a mountain to climb when Newcastle added a third goal in the 32nd minute.
Joelinton towered over his marker to thump a powerful header home from Kieran Trippier’s out-swinging corner, ensuring the visitors headed into HT with a commanding lead.
Following a woeful first-half display, the Foxes knew that they would need a Christmas miracle to pull off an unlikely comeback. Rodgers introduced the experience of Jamie Vardy at the break, and although the veteran forward added some much-needed impetus to Leicester’s attacking play, Newcastle’s sturdy defence was proving to be an immovable object.
In the closing stages, Nick Pope made a couple of comfortable saves to deny Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Wilfred Ndidi, securing his side their fourth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.
The win extends Newcastle’s unbeaten run to 11 league games, lifting them up to second place in the Premier League. As for the Foxes, the defeat leaves them in 13th position, and they will be hoping for an improved display when the two sides meet again in the EFL Cup quarter-finals in January.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Joelinton (Newcastle United)
Flashscore.co.uk
Foxes left bruised in Boxing Day thrashing
Newcastle United cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Leicester City to record their sixth consecutive Premier League (PL) victory, also ending a run of six straight league defeats in games played on Boxing Day.
After losing only one of their 15 PL games before the World Cup break, confidence was evidently still oozing through the Newcastle side, who took a sensational two-goal lead inside seven minutes. Firstly through Chris Wood, who thundered his spot-kick down the middle of the Leicester goal following Daniel Amartey’s reckless challenge on Joelinton.
The Magpies wasted little time in doubling their advantage through Miguel Almirón, who registered his ninth goal of the season. Almirón played a neat one-two with Bruno Guimarães, before the Paraguayan drove through the feeble Leicester defence, slotting the ball beyond Danny Ward.
Although the hosts began to show signs of improvement, their uphill task became something of a mountain to climb when Newcastle added a third goal in the 32nd minute.
Joelinton towered over his marker to thump a powerful header home from Kieran Trippier’s out-swinging corner, ensuring the visitors headed into HT with a commanding lead.
Following a woeful first-half display, the Foxes knew that they would need a Christmas miracle to pull off an unlikely comeback. Rodgers introduced the experience of Jamie Vardy at the break, and although the veteran forward added some much-needed impetus to Leicester’s attacking play, Newcastle’s sturdy defence was proving to be an immovable object.
In the closing stages, Nick Pope made a couple of comfortable saves to deny Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Wilfred Ndidi, securing his side their fourth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.
The win extends Newcastle’s unbeaten run to 11 league games, lifting them up to second place in the Premier League. As for the Foxes, the defeat leaves them in 13th position, and they will be hoping for an improved display when the two sides meet again in the EFL Cup quarter-finals in January.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Joelinton (Newcastle United)
Flashscore.co.uk
MK DONS 0-3 LEICESTER CITY | CARABAO CUP
Leicester strolled past MK Dons to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in their first game after the World Cup.
Youri Tielemans and Ayoze Perez gave the Foxes a two-goal cushion by the break before Jamie Vardy added another.
Chances were sporadic for the hosts at Stadium MK and they did not make the most of their few opportunities.
Premier League Leicester were a step above and their sharpness in the final third was too much for the League One side to handle.
Thirty-eight days after the Foxes last played a competitive fixture, Brendan Rodgers' side did not look like a team who were lacking match-sharpness, and fired off early warning shots through Perez and Timothy Castagne.
Both efforts missed the target but they soon found a way to beat the goalkeeper when Tielemans was on hand to fire home the opener after Jamie Cumming pushed an audacious Vardy backheel into the Belgian's path.
Leicester's second came when Perez produced a deft touch inside the 18-yard box to control a Luke Thomas long ball before slotting a composed effort into the back of the net.
The hosts struggled to make any impression and failed to capitalise on their best chance as Daniel Harvie blazed a half-volley over the bar shortly before the break.
Leicester's dominance grew after the break and Vardy made it three as he nodded in Castagne's dinked cross to complete the scoring in a one-sided victory.
BBC Sport
Leicester strolled past MK Dons to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in their first game after the World Cup.
Youri Tielemans and Ayoze Perez gave the Foxes a two-goal cushion by the break before Jamie Vardy added another.
Chances were sporadic for the hosts at Stadium MK and they did not make the most of their few opportunities.
Premier League Leicester were a step above and their sharpness in the final third was too much for the League One side to handle.
Thirty-eight days after the Foxes last played a competitive fixture, Brendan Rodgers' side did not look like a team who were lacking match-sharpness, and fired off early warning shots through Perez and Timothy Castagne.
Both efforts missed the target but they soon found a way to beat the goalkeeper when Tielemans was on hand to fire home the opener after Jamie Cumming pushed an audacious Vardy backheel into the Belgian's path.
Leicester's second came when Perez produced a deft touch inside the 18-yard box to control a Luke Thomas long ball before slotting a composed effort into the back of the net.
The hosts struggled to make any impression and failed to capitalise on their best chance as Daniel Harvie blazed a half-volley over the bar shortly before the break.
Leicester's dominance grew after the break and Vardy made it three as he nodded in Castagne's dinked cross to complete the scoring in a one-sided victory.
BBC Sport
Kolo Toure sends message to Khun Top and Brendan Rodgers after Leicester City exit
The coach has left the club in order to take up a managerial position with Championship side Wigan Athletic.
Former Leicester City coach Kolo Toure has thanked the club as well as chairman Khun Aiyawatt 'Top' Srivaddhanaprabha and manager Brendan Rodgers for his time at the club.
Toure has worked alongside Rodgers at the King Power Stadium since both moved from Celtic back in February 2019. He was part of the coaching staff who led City to lifting their first FA Cup in 2021, as well as two fifth placed finishes in the Premier League.
The former Liverpool and Man City defender has left to take up the manager role with Championship club Wigan Athletic, with his exit confirmed on Tuesday morning. The Latics currently sit in 22nd place in the table.
Following the confirmation of his appointment and subsequent City exit, the coach took a chance to send a message to the club, the fans, as well as the people he has worked alongside for the last three-and-a-half years.
"I would like to thank all of the fans, players and staff of Leicester City Football Club, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Susan Whelan, Jon Rudkin and of course Brendan Rodgers for making me feel so welcome for so many years,” Toure told Wigan’s official website.
"The experiences that I have amassed under Brendan Rodgers have been invaluable and I’m sure they will help me in this next chapter of my career.
"I am extremely proud to be named Manager of Wigan Athletic. Wigan Athletic is a big club with hugely passionate fans. Together, we can continue to make the right steps forward.
"I’m excited to work with this talented group of players and staff, and immensely look forward to my time ahead."
Toure’s first game in charge of Wigan will be away against Millwall at the New Den on Saturday, December 10, meaning that he has just over a week to work with his new team.
Leicestershire Live
The coach has left the club in order to take up a managerial position with Championship side Wigan Athletic.
Former Leicester City coach Kolo Toure has thanked the club as well as chairman Khun Aiyawatt 'Top' Srivaddhanaprabha and manager Brendan Rodgers for his time at the club.
Toure has worked alongside Rodgers at the King Power Stadium since both moved from Celtic back in February 2019. He was part of the coaching staff who led City to lifting their first FA Cup in 2021, as well as two fifth placed finishes in the Premier League.
The former Liverpool and Man City defender has left to take up the manager role with Championship club Wigan Athletic, with his exit confirmed on Tuesday morning. The Latics currently sit in 22nd place in the table.
Following the confirmation of his appointment and subsequent City exit, the coach took a chance to send a message to the club, the fans, as well as the people he has worked alongside for the last three-and-a-half years.
"I would like to thank all of the fans, players and staff of Leicester City Football Club, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Susan Whelan, Jon Rudkin and of course Brendan Rodgers for making me feel so welcome for so many years,” Toure told Wigan’s official website.
"The experiences that I have amassed under Brendan Rodgers have been invaluable and I’m sure they will help me in this next chapter of my career.
"I am extremely proud to be named Manager of Wigan Athletic. Wigan Athletic is a big club with hugely passionate fans. Together, we can continue to make the right steps forward.
"I’m excited to work with this talented group of players and staff, and immensely look forward to my time ahead."
Toure’s first game in charge of Wigan will be away against Millwall at the New Den on Saturday, December 10, meaning that he has just over a week to work with his new team.
Leicestershire Live
WEST HAM UNITED 0-2 LEICESTER CITY
Leicester City recorded a fourth win in five Premier League (PL) matches, defeating West Ham United at the London Stadium. The result snaps a four-game unbeaten H2H streak for the Hammers.
Likely still celebrating his England call-up ahead of the FIFA World Cup (WC), James Maddison wasted no time in validating Gareth Southgate’s assessment, netting the opener within 10 minutes. The Leicester talisman smashed a low ball across the box high into the net from close range to give the ever-improving Foxes an early lead.
Sadly, with just 25 minutes played, the goalscorer was forced off with a muscle injury, casting doubt over his WC participation. As HT approached, Brendan Rodgers’ side survived a scare as a would-be equaliser from Tomáš Souček was denied by the linesman’s flag.
An improved showing from the home side prompted thoughts of a potential comeback, but as the final 20 minutes approached, the game remained on a knife edge. Each of the last seven H2Hs had featured three or more goals, and with just over 10 minutes to play, the match had its second, as Leicester all but wrapped up the points.
Substitute Ayoze Pérez slipped in Harvey Barnes on the break, allowing him to slide the ball past the onrushing Łukasz Fabiański, to effectively kill off the game as a contest.
Leicester saw out the final minutes, recording yet another clean sheet to seal a third consecutive league win on the road for the first time in two years.
Meanwhile, West Ham have now lost four of their last five PL matches heading into the FIFA World Cup break.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Boubakary Soumaré (Leicester City)
Flashscore.co.uk
Leicester City recorded a fourth win in five Premier League (PL) matches, defeating West Ham United at the London Stadium. The result snaps a four-game unbeaten H2H streak for the Hammers.
Likely still celebrating his England call-up ahead of the FIFA World Cup (WC), James Maddison wasted no time in validating Gareth Southgate’s assessment, netting the opener within 10 minutes. The Leicester talisman smashed a low ball across the box high into the net from close range to give the ever-improving Foxes an early lead.
Sadly, with just 25 minutes played, the goalscorer was forced off with a muscle injury, casting doubt over his WC participation. As HT approached, Brendan Rodgers’ side survived a scare as a would-be equaliser from Tomáš Souček was denied by the linesman’s flag.
An improved showing from the home side prompted thoughts of a potential comeback, but as the final 20 minutes approached, the game remained on a knife edge. Each of the last seven H2Hs had featured three or more goals, and with just over 10 minutes to play, the match had its second, as Leicester all but wrapped up the points.
Substitute Ayoze Pérez slipped in Harvey Barnes on the break, allowing him to slide the ball past the onrushing Łukasz Fabiański, to effectively kill off the game as a contest.
Leicester saw out the final minutes, recording yet another clean sheet to seal a third consecutive league win on the road for the first time in two years.
Meanwhile, West Ham have now lost four of their last five PL matches heading into the FIFA World Cup break.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Boubakary Soumaré (Leicester City)
Flashscore.co.uk
LEICESTER CITY 3-0 NEWPORT COUNTY
Jamie Vardy scored twice as Leicester's revival continued with a comfortable 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Newport County.
League Two Newport's resistance was broken on 44 minutes when James Justin bent home a beautiful 20-yard effort, before the defender was taken off on a stretcher in the second half.
The visitors improved further after the break but could not contain Vardy. The striker made the result safe with two fine finishes to ensure Leicester moved into the last 16 of the EFL Cup.
The Foxes' recent resurgence continued, having now won four of their last five games.
Boss Brendan Rodgers had said he would resist wholesale changes to his side after they laboured to a penalty shootout win over Stockport in round two, but only Justin, Wout Faes, Boubakary Soumare and Harvey Barnes were retained from their 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday.
Newport - no strangers to causing cup shocks in recent years and looking to reach the fourth round of the EFL Cup for the second season in succession - had a different manager in charge when they upset Portsmouth 3-2 in August to book their trip to the King Power Stadium.
The Exiles sacked James Rowberry last month and his successor Graham Coughlan came into this contest unbeaten since taking charge, with his side showing four changes from their 2-0 FA Cup win over Colchester United.
The resilience under Coughlan was evident in a first half where the Premier League side dominated but could not find a breakthrough until a minute before the interval.
The Foxes had come close through Barnes, whose effort was well saved by Nick Townsend, before Justin's brilliant finish broke the deadlock.
The full-back's injury blotted Leicester's night but they secured the result when Vardy's pinpoint header from Marc Albrighton's cross found the net on 70 minutes.
Vardy added his second 12 minutes later when he slammed home after rounding Townsend as Barnes' clever pass sent him clear.
BBC Sport
Jamie Vardy scored twice as Leicester's revival continued with a comfortable 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Newport County.
League Two Newport's resistance was broken on 44 minutes when James Justin bent home a beautiful 20-yard effort, before the defender was taken off on a stretcher in the second half.
The visitors improved further after the break but could not contain Vardy. The striker made the result safe with two fine finishes to ensure Leicester moved into the last 16 of the EFL Cup.
The Foxes' recent resurgence continued, having now won four of their last five games.
Boss Brendan Rodgers had said he would resist wholesale changes to his side after they laboured to a penalty shootout win over Stockport in round two, but only Justin, Wout Faes, Boubakary Soumare and Harvey Barnes were retained from their 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday.
Newport - no strangers to causing cup shocks in recent years and looking to reach the fourth round of the EFL Cup for the second season in succession - had a different manager in charge when they upset Portsmouth 3-2 in August to book their trip to the King Power Stadium.
The Exiles sacked James Rowberry last month and his successor Graham Coughlan came into this contest unbeaten since taking charge, with his side showing four changes from their 2-0 FA Cup win over Colchester United.
The resilience under Coughlan was evident in a first half where the Premier League side dominated but could not find a breakthrough until a minute before the interval.
The Foxes had come close through Barnes, whose effort was well saved by Nick Townsend, before Justin's brilliant finish broke the deadlock.
The full-back's injury blotted Leicester's night but they secured the result when Vardy's pinpoint header from Marc Albrighton's cross found the net on 70 minutes.
Vardy added his second 12 minutes later when he slammed home after rounding Townsend as Barnes' clever pass sent him clear.
BBC Sport
EVERTON 0-2 LEICESTER CITY
Tielemans brings the fireworks to shoot down Everton
Youri Tielemans’ spectacular half-volley helped Leicester City to a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park, as the Foxes claimed consecutive Premier League away wins for the first time since December 2020.
A first Bonfire Night meeting between these two clubs since 1927 was ready to explode into life, but just required someone to light the fuse. Throughout the first half that looked more likely to be the visitors, mainly due to the fact that Everton’s defence looked uncharacteristically shaky given back-to-back clean sheets in their last two matches. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had an attempt blocked after Idrissa Gueye gave the ball away in his own half, which was followed by James Maddison seeing his rebound deflected behind.
A total of 14 wasted opportunities before HT showed a completely different Leicester to the one that won 4-0 away at Wolverhampton Wanderers from four shots on target in their last performance on the road, leaving Brendan Rodgers hoping for a moment of quality from his side. Thankfully for him, that moment arrived with their 15th and final attempt of the half, and what a moment it was. Maddison, reworking a blocked shot from Boubakary Soumaré, passed the ball to Tielemans, who received it outside the box, before flicking it up to himself and unleashing a rocket into the top-left corner off the underside of the crossbar.
Frank Lampard obviously had some choice words for his side during the break, and now with no opportunity for a third consecutive shutout for the first time since March 2021, the Toffees came out gunning for an instant equaliser. It was perplexing how they weren’t back on level terms within five minutes of the restart when Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw a low shot denied by the trailing leg of Danny Ward, and would prove to be the striker’s last involvement before going off injured painfully close to the start of the FIFA World Cup.
As the clock ran down, so too did the hosts' chances of turning the game on its head and climbing into the top half of the table. After Calvert-Lewin’s miss the opportunities became few and far between, and it was eventually punished in the dying minutes by Harvey Barnes. Teed up by Maddison, the winger turned in the box and fired past the helpless Pickford to seal the result, and most importantly send Brendan Rodgers’ side above Everton into 13th.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
Flashscore.co.uk
Tielemans brings the fireworks to shoot down Everton
Youri Tielemans’ spectacular half-volley helped Leicester City to a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park, as the Foxes claimed consecutive Premier League away wins for the first time since December 2020.
A first Bonfire Night meeting between these two clubs since 1927 was ready to explode into life, but just required someone to light the fuse. Throughout the first half that looked more likely to be the visitors, mainly due to the fact that Everton’s defence looked uncharacteristically shaky given back-to-back clean sheets in their last two matches. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had an attempt blocked after Idrissa Gueye gave the ball away in his own half, which was followed by James Maddison seeing his rebound deflected behind.
A total of 14 wasted opportunities before HT showed a completely different Leicester to the one that won 4-0 away at Wolverhampton Wanderers from four shots on target in their last performance on the road, leaving Brendan Rodgers hoping for a moment of quality from his side. Thankfully for him, that moment arrived with their 15th and final attempt of the half, and what a moment it was. Maddison, reworking a blocked shot from Boubakary Soumaré, passed the ball to Tielemans, who received it outside the box, before flicking it up to himself and unleashing a rocket into the top-left corner off the underside of the crossbar.
Frank Lampard obviously had some choice words for his side during the break, and now with no opportunity for a third consecutive shutout for the first time since March 2021, the Toffees came out gunning for an instant equaliser. It was perplexing how they weren’t back on level terms within five minutes of the restart when Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw a low shot denied by the trailing leg of Danny Ward, and would prove to be the striker’s last involvement before going off injured painfully close to the start of the FIFA World Cup.
As the clock ran down, so too did the hosts' chances of turning the game on its head and climbing into the top half of the table. After Calvert-Lewin’s miss the opportunities became few and far between, and it was eventually punished in the dying minutes by Harvey Barnes. Teed up by Maddison, the winger turned in the box and fired past the helpless Pickford to seal the result, and most importantly send Brendan Rodgers’ side above Everton into 13th.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
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LEICESTER CITY 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY
Majestic De Bruyne reigns supreme at the King Power
Manchester City ended a run of three competitive away games without a goal as they won 1-0 at Leicester City, moving to the summit of the Premier League (PL) in the process.
The big news in the build-up was Erling Haaland’s absence from Pep Guardiola’s matchday squad. The Norwegian has been in stunning form this term, but managed just 45 minutes in the goalless draw at Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League in midweek and his unavailability was undoubtedly a huge blow for the Citizens - of the four games Haaland had not scored in this campaign prior to kick-off, City failed to get on the scoresheet in three.
The striker’s injury certainly had no impact on his team’s ability to dominate possession as, throughout the opening 20 minutes, Leicester barely had a touch. It was very much attack versus defence as the Foxes absorbed plenty of pressure, although the visitors did not create many dangerous chances. Rodri and İlkay Gündoğan both tested Danny Ward with headers, while Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne also tried their luck, but the Welsh goalkeeper would have been disappointed to see any of those efforts hit the back of the net. Leicester grew in confidence as the half progressed, and even had a few forays forward. Harvey Barnes looked the most likely to provide a moment of magic, and he certainly gave Guardiola one or two things to contemplate at the interval.
However, it took less than 240 seconds for City to strike after the break. Ward had gone nearly six hours without conceding in the Foxes' goal, but there was nothing he could do to stop De Bruyne’s wonderful free-kick flying into the corner via the post. The opener meant Leicester needed to come out of their shell if they were to get anything from the game, and they came close to an equaliser almost immediately, as Youri Tielemans' stunning volley from James Maddison’s corner was only thwarted by a mix of Ederson’s fingertips and the crossbar.
Ultimately, that was as close as the hosts came to picking up a point, despite a clear increase in intensity as the game approached its climax. The defeat brings an end to a two-match winning run for Brendan Rodgers’ men, and they remain 17th in the PL table.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
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Majestic De Bruyne reigns supreme at the King Power
Manchester City ended a run of three competitive away games without a goal as they won 1-0 at Leicester City, moving to the summit of the Premier League (PL) in the process.
The big news in the build-up was Erling Haaland’s absence from Pep Guardiola’s matchday squad. The Norwegian has been in stunning form this term, but managed just 45 minutes in the goalless draw at Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League in midweek and his unavailability was undoubtedly a huge blow for the Citizens - of the four games Haaland had not scored in this campaign prior to kick-off, City failed to get on the scoresheet in three.
The striker’s injury certainly had no impact on his team’s ability to dominate possession as, throughout the opening 20 minutes, Leicester barely had a touch. It was very much attack versus defence as the Foxes absorbed plenty of pressure, although the visitors did not create many dangerous chances. Rodri and İlkay Gündoğan both tested Danny Ward with headers, while Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne also tried their luck, but the Welsh goalkeeper would have been disappointed to see any of those efforts hit the back of the net. Leicester grew in confidence as the half progressed, and even had a few forays forward. Harvey Barnes looked the most likely to provide a moment of magic, and he certainly gave Guardiola one or two things to contemplate at the interval.
However, it took less than 240 seconds for City to strike after the break. Ward had gone nearly six hours without conceding in the Foxes' goal, but there was nothing he could do to stop De Bruyne’s wonderful free-kick flying into the corner via the post. The opener meant Leicester needed to come out of their shell if they were to get anything from the game, and they came close to an equaliser almost immediately, as Youri Tielemans' stunning volley from James Maddison’s corner was only thwarted by a mix of Ederson’s fingertips and the crossbar.
Ultimately, that was as close as the hosts came to picking up a point, despite a clear increase in intensity as the game approached its climax. The defeat brings an end to a two-match winning run for Brendan Rodgers’ men, and they remain 17th in the PL table.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Flashscore.co.uk
WOLVERHAMPTON 0-4 LEICESTER CITY
Four-some Foxes scare Whimpering Wolves away
Leicester City secured their first away win in the Premier League (PL) this season, thumping a blunt Wolverhampton Wanderers side 4-0 to move out of the relegation zone.
In a Midlands clash between two sides desperate to escape the dropzone, it was Wolves who instantly stepped onto the front foot with an early onslaught of set pieces.
As the story of their season so far goes, however, they failed to make their early pressure count, allowing Leicester City to take the lead in unbelievable fashion. It was Youri Tielemans who produced the moment of true quality, picking up the loose ball on the edge of the box, before volleying an unstoppable effort into the left upright inside the first 10 minutes, leaving José Sá with no chance.
Wolves weren’t phased by going behind, though, and soon forced Danny Ward into his first save, when Matheus Nunes could only find the outstretched legs of the goalkeeper. Clearly in a clinical mood, Leicester soon punished Wolves’ wasteful nature in front of goal once again. This time, it wasHarvey Barnes with the goal, who slotted a fine effort through the legs of Sá following a quick one-two with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
2-0 down at the break, Wolves could, at the very least, hold onto hope that a goal may come against what is the worst defence in the PL this season, even if they, themselves, were the joint-lowest scorers in the division heading into the gameweek.
Any remaining hope was squashed in its entirety come the 66th-minute, however, when James Maddison drove past Nathan Collins and fired beyond Sá at his near post for his sixth PL goal of the season. A routine victory then became a thumping when substitute Jamie Vardy tapped home number four for the visitors late on.
The 4-0 thumping leaves Wolves 19th and with three losses in their last four games. Leicester, meanwhile, now sit 16th, having won at the Molineux for the first time in five games.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Harvey Barnes (Leicester City)
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Four-some Foxes scare Whimpering Wolves away
Leicester City secured their first away win in the Premier League (PL) this season, thumping a blunt Wolverhampton Wanderers side 4-0 to move out of the relegation zone.
In a Midlands clash between two sides desperate to escape the dropzone, it was Wolves who instantly stepped onto the front foot with an early onslaught of set pieces.
As the story of their season so far goes, however, they failed to make their early pressure count, allowing Leicester City to take the lead in unbelievable fashion. It was Youri Tielemans who produced the moment of true quality, picking up the loose ball on the edge of the box, before volleying an unstoppable effort into the left upright inside the first 10 minutes, leaving José Sá with no chance.
Wolves weren’t phased by going behind, though, and soon forced Danny Ward into his first save, when Matheus Nunes could only find the outstretched legs of the goalkeeper. Clearly in a clinical mood, Leicester soon punished Wolves’ wasteful nature in front of goal once again. This time, it wasHarvey Barnes with the goal, who slotted a fine effort through the legs of Sá following a quick one-two with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
2-0 down at the break, Wolves could, at the very least, hold onto hope that a goal may come against what is the worst defence in the PL this season, even if they, themselves, were the joint-lowest scorers in the division heading into the gameweek.
Any remaining hope was squashed in its entirety come the 66th-minute, however, when James Maddison drove past Nathan Collins and fired beyond Sá at his near post for his sixth PL goal of the season. A routine victory then became a thumping when substitute Jamie Vardy tapped home number four for the visitors late on.
The 4-0 thumping leaves Wolves 19th and with three losses in their last four games. Leicester, meanwhile, now sit 16th, having won at the Molineux for the first time in five games.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Harvey Barnes (Leicester City)
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Leicester City 2-0 Leeds United
Robin’s Koch-up helps Foxes to victory
Leicester City picked up just their second win of the season, defeating Leeds United at the King Power Stadium to climb off the foot of the Premier League (PL) table. Foxes goalscorer Harvey Barnes has now netted in each of his five appearances against the Whites.
A tentative start from both teams involved searching crosses from Rasmus Kristensen and Jamie Vardy for their respective sides, but neither ball successfully found its intended destination. The opening goal arose from a similar situation, this time a turnover high up the pitch made its way to Dennis Praet, who looked for a teammate with his low cross, but instead found a sliding Robin Koch to inadvertently wrong-foot Illan Meslier.
Leeds looked for a quick response, and came agonisingly close to one when Luis Sinisterra curled onto the crossbar following a purposeful counterattack. The visitors continued to probe with Crysencio Summerville looking particularly lively, but Leicester soon doubled their lead via an incisive team move, which featured a clever flick from Vardy and a sweeping finish from Barnes.
Having ended the first period with more possession and shots than their hosts, Leeds could feel somewhat aggrieved to be two goals down. Nonetheless, Jesse Marsch’s side continued to give away possession cheaply, and aside from a close-range effort from Liam Cooper, rarely posed much threat to the Foxes’ goal. With FT fast approaching, there was little indication of a Leeds fightback, especially given the stop-start nature of the final minutes.
The erratic ending to the contest played perfectly into Leicester’s hands, ultimately extending their unbeaten home league streak to three games and relieving some pressure off under-fire boss Brendan Rodgers. As for Leeds, they are now seven PL matches without a win and will be looking over their shoulder, as they remain above the relegation zone on goal difference alone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Dennis Praet (Leicester City)
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Robin’s Koch-up helps Foxes to victory
Leicester City picked up just their second win of the season, defeating Leeds United at the King Power Stadium to climb off the foot of the Premier League (PL) table. Foxes goalscorer Harvey Barnes has now netted in each of his five appearances against the Whites.
A tentative start from both teams involved searching crosses from Rasmus Kristensen and Jamie Vardy for their respective sides, but neither ball successfully found its intended destination. The opening goal arose from a similar situation, this time a turnover high up the pitch made its way to Dennis Praet, who looked for a teammate with his low cross, but instead found a sliding Robin Koch to inadvertently wrong-foot Illan Meslier.
Leeds looked for a quick response, and came agonisingly close to one when Luis Sinisterra curled onto the crossbar following a purposeful counterattack. The visitors continued to probe with Crysencio Summerville looking particularly lively, but Leicester soon doubled their lead via an incisive team move, which featured a clever flick from Vardy and a sweeping finish from Barnes.
Having ended the first period with more possession and shots than their hosts, Leeds could feel somewhat aggrieved to be two goals down. Nonetheless, Jesse Marsch’s side continued to give away possession cheaply, and aside from a close-range effort from Liam Cooper, rarely posed much threat to the Foxes’ goal. With FT fast approaching, there was little indication of a Leeds fightback, especially given the stop-start nature of the final minutes.
The erratic ending to the contest played perfectly into Leicester’s hands, ultimately extending their unbeaten home league streak to three games and relieving some pressure off under-fire boss Brendan Rodgers. As for Leeds, they are now seven PL matches without a win and will be looking over their shoulder, as they remain above the relegation zone on goal difference alone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Dennis Praet (Leicester City)
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Leicester City 0-0 Crystal Palace
Palace plunder point from misfiring Foxes
Crystal Palace managed to hold Leicester City to a goalless draw, extending their winless away run in the Premier League to six matches.
The Eagles remain winless at the King Power Stadium since February 2019, a run of seven H2Hs (D3, L4).
Eager to escape the relegation zone and bounce back following their defeat against Bournemouth, Leicester mounted early pressure on the visitors, but found themselves facing a stiff Palace defence. Driven by Cheick Doucoure in midfield, the Eagles probed for an opening and came close to breaking the deadlock through Eberechi Eze’s long-range drive that went over the bar, much to the relief of the home crowd.
Gathering momentum just before HT, Leicester got back on track but once again saw themselves fall short in the final third, leaving the pitch with all to play for in the second period.
Misplaced passes were a feature of the first half, and they continued to manifest after the restart, yet it was the Foxes who pushed heartily for the opener, first via James Maddison. The 25-year-old playmaker blasted a shot from inside the box having been set up by Harvey Barnes, before Barnes himself was stopped in his tracks with a brilliant save by Vicente Guaita.
Palace had to wait until after the hour mark for a shot on target, but Odsonne Edouard’s drive from the edge of the box that Danny Ward exceptionally kept out.
That, however, would turn out to be visitors’ only shot on target, as they played second fiddle to Leicester’s attacks for the rest of the match. Despite the second period being filled with action, in stark contrast to the first, neither side found the edge towards the end, ultimately failing to better one another.
The draw means that Brendan Rodgers’ outfit continue to linger in the bottom three, whereas Palace failed to capitalise on the chance to jump into the top half of the table, yet to record back-to-back victories this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Vicente Guaita (Crystal Palace)
Flashscore.co.uk
Palace plunder point from misfiring Foxes
Crystal Palace managed to hold Leicester City to a goalless draw, extending their winless away run in the Premier League to six matches.
The Eagles remain winless at the King Power Stadium since February 2019, a run of seven H2Hs (D3, L4).
Eager to escape the relegation zone and bounce back following their defeat against Bournemouth, Leicester mounted early pressure on the visitors, but found themselves facing a stiff Palace defence. Driven by Cheick Doucoure in midfield, the Eagles probed for an opening and came close to breaking the deadlock through Eberechi Eze’s long-range drive that went over the bar, much to the relief of the home crowd.
Gathering momentum just before HT, Leicester got back on track but once again saw themselves fall short in the final third, leaving the pitch with all to play for in the second period.
Misplaced passes were a feature of the first half, and they continued to manifest after the restart, yet it was the Foxes who pushed heartily for the opener, first via James Maddison. The 25-year-old playmaker blasted a shot from inside the box having been set up by Harvey Barnes, before Barnes himself was stopped in his tracks with a brilliant save by Vicente Guaita.
Palace had to wait until after the hour mark for a shot on target, but Odsonne Edouard’s drive from the edge of the box that Danny Ward exceptionally kept out.
That, however, would turn out to be visitors’ only shot on target, as they played second fiddle to Leicester’s attacks for the rest of the match. Despite the second period being filled with action, in stark contrast to the first, neither side found the edge towards the end, ultimately failing to better one another.
The draw means that Brendan Rodgers’ outfit continue to linger in the bottom three, whereas Palace failed to capitalise on the chance to jump into the top half of the table, yet to record back-to-back victories this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Vicente Guaita (Crystal Palace)
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Bournemouth 2-1 Leicester City
Bournemouth came from behind to beat Leicester City 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium. As a result, the Cherries remain undefeated in five games since interim boss Gary O’Neil took charge.
The hosts may have won their last two home H2H by convincing margins, but they got off to a poor start as Leicester took an early lead. With 10 minutes on the clock, Youri Tielemans’ cross proved problematic for the Cherries’ backline, eventually breaking to Patson Daka, who fired low on the turn to put his side in the ascendancy.
Bournemouth responded positively to going behind, but were unable to find a shot on goal in the first 30. Ryan Fredericks looked as if he had won his side a penalty late in the half, but on closer inspection the right-back was booked for simulation as the Foxes remained ahead.
Brendan Rodgers’ side had not won any of their last six PL games in which they had opened the scoring, but as the hour mark ticked by, the home side were yet to convert their attacking impetus into anything substantial. Despite an alarming run of eight PL games without a goal, Jamie Vardy was brought on to extend Leicester’s lead, yet within seconds, Bournemouth found an equaliser.
A determined run from Dominic Solanke ended with a blocked shot that popped up nicely for Philip Billing to slam home his third of the season. Remarkably, it took just three minutes for Bournemouth to complete the turnaround, as Billing’s cross was knocked down by Solanke, allowing Ryan Christie to turn home his first PL goal.
Facing the prospect of a seventh PL defeat of the season, Rodgers looked to his bench for a spark, but none was forthcoming as the visitors continued their abysmal away record. The result leaves the Foxes floundering in the relegation zone, having previously looked like they may have turned a corner with a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest last time out.
As for Bournemouth, their impressive form lifts the newly-promoted side into the top half of the PL table.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)
Flashscore.co.uk
Bournemouth came from behind to beat Leicester City 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium. As a result, the Cherries remain undefeated in five games since interim boss Gary O’Neil took charge.
The hosts may have won their last two home H2H by convincing margins, but they got off to a poor start as Leicester took an early lead. With 10 minutes on the clock, Youri Tielemans’ cross proved problematic for the Cherries’ backline, eventually breaking to Patson Daka, who fired low on the turn to put his side in the ascendancy.
Bournemouth responded positively to going behind, but were unable to find a shot on goal in the first 30. Ryan Fredericks looked as if he had won his side a penalty late in the half, but on closer inspection the right-back was booked for simulation as the Foxes remained ahead.
Brendan Rodgers’ side had not won any of their last six PL games in which they had opened the scoring, but as the hour mark ticked by, the home side were yet to convert their attacking impetus into anything substantial. Despite an alarming run of eight PL games without a goal, Jamie Vardy was brought on to extend Leicester’s lead, yet within seconds, Bournemouth found an equaliser.
A determined run from Dominic Solanke ended with a blocked shot that popped up nicely for Philip Billing to slam home his third of the season. Remarkably, it took just three minutes for Bournemouth to complete the turnaround, as Billing’s cross was knocked down by Solanke, allowing Ryan Christie to turn home his first PL goal.
Facing the prospect of a seventh PL defeat of the season, Rodgers looked to his bench for a spark, but none was forthcoming as the visitors continued their abysmal away record. The result leaves the Foxes floundering in the relegation zone, having previously looked like they may have turned a corner with a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest last time out.
As for Bournemouth, their impressive form lifts the newly-promoted side into the top half of the PL table.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)
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Leicester City legend appointed to key role at King Power Stadium
Robert Huth is back at the King Power Stadium after leaving the club in the summer of 2018.
Leicester City title-winning defender Robert Huth has returned to the club three-and-a-half years after playing his final game.
The German international was a fan favourite at the King Power Stadium, and played a key role in both the club’s great escape from relegation from the Premier League in 2015 and the 5000-1 title win the following year. He announced his retirement from the game after leaving the club in the summer of 2018.
As reported by the Athletic, Huth has now re-joined the club, taking up a role as loans manager. The role will include the former defender keeping tabs on the likes of Hamza Choudhury, Ben Nelson and Thakgalo Leshabela who are all on temporary deals away from the club.
Huth succeeds former teammate and fellow title-winner Dean Hammond in the role. Speaking back in 2020, the former midfielder explained what the role entailed.
“At Leicester, I used to be at the training ground two or three days a week watching the U23 team, while the rest of my time was spent out at games and going to see players,” he told Sky Sports . “You are around the coaching staff on a regular basis and you are in the meetings discussing plans for the future.
“My job was to watch our players out on loan but it was also about watching a club where we did not have a player out on loan yet but we knew they were interested in our players. We would analyse their playing style and what the manager's personality was like because some players might not fit with certain managers.
“I would speak to anyone I knew at that club to find out what the culture was like. What's the atmosphere? What are the players like? It all helps you work out whether a player will settle. There was a lot of analysis.”
Huth first arrived at the King Power Stadium on loan in January 2015. After helping City to escape relegation at the end of that season, his move was made permanent the following summer, he went on to make a total of 93 appearances for the club.
City have been successful in using the loan system to develop players in recent years with both Harvey Barnes and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall impressing with their loan clubs before breaking into the first team at the King Power Stadium. Both are now regulars in the starting XI in the Premier League for City.
Leicestershire Live
Robert Huth is back at the King Power Stadium after leaving the club in the summer of 2018.
Leicester City title-winning defender Robert Huth has returned to the club three-and-a-half years after playing his final game.
The German international was a fan favourite at the King Power Stadium, and played a key role in both the club’s great escape from relegation from the Premier League in 2015 and the 5000-1 title win the following year. He announced his retirement from the game after leaving the club in the summer of 2018.
As reported by the Athletic, Huth has now re-joined the club, taking up a role as loans manager. The role will include the former defender keeping tabs on the likes of Hamza Choudhury, Ben Nelson and Thakgalo Leshabela who are all on temporary deals away from the club.
Huth succeeds former teammate and fellow title-winner Dean Hammond in the role. Speaking back in 2020, the former midfielder explained what the role entailed.
“At Leicester, I used to be at the training ground two or three days a week watching the U23 team, while the rest of my time was spent out at games and going to see players,” he told Sky Sports . “You are around the coaching staff on a regular basis and you are in the meetings discussing plans for the future.
“My job was to watch our players out on loan but it was also about watching a club where we did not have a player out on loan yet but we knew they were interested in our players. We would analyse their playing style and what the manager's personality was like because some players might not fit with certain managers.
“I would speak to anyone I knew at that club to find out what the culture was like. What's the atmosphere? What are the players like? It all helps you work out whether a player will settle. There was a lot of analysis.”
Huth first arrived at the King Power Stadium on loan in January 2015. After helping City to escape relegation at the end of that season, his move was made permanent the following summer, he went on to make a total of 93 appearances for the club.
City have been successful in using the loan system to develop players in recent years with both Harvey Barnes and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall impressing with their loan clubs before breaking into the first team at the King Power Stadium. Both are now regulars in the starting XI in the Premier League for City.
Leicestershire Live
Leicester City strike fresh agreement in landmark deal
Walkers branding will be seen around King Power Stadium, while Leicester City Women will now come under the sponsorship umbrella
Leicester City have renewed their long-standing partnership with Walkers, which for the first time includes sponsorship of LCFC Women.
Running throughout the 2022/23 season, the partnership with both the men’s and women’s teams will include Walkers' branding being visible at King Power Stadium on home matchdays.
The Leicester-based company sponsored the club’s shirts from 1987 to 2001 and Filbert Way carried the brand’s name between 2002 and 2011. However, it is the first time Walkers have sponsored Leicester City Women, who recently kicked off a second successive campaign in the Women’s Super League.
It comes after PepsiCo, Walkers’ parent company, recently announced a partnership with Women in Football to sponsor 45 aspiring female coaches on a Football Association course.
Fiona Tomlin, chief marketing officer at PepsiCo UK & Ireland, said: “From Gary Lineker’s iconic ads to our special Salt and Victory crisps marking the historic Premier League title win, Leicester City has regularly been part of the Walkers story for decades.
“Continuing our partnership with the club and adding to the support of LCFC Women is particularly special for us. It takes PepsiCo’s commitment to supporting its local team and growing the women’s game to the next level, and we can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve.”
Walkers has also been an advocate for grassroots football in Leicester, launching a community football pitch in the city last year in partnership with Leicester City in the Community, which was made in part using recycled Walkers crisps packets.
Harj Hir, head of partnerships at Leicester City, said: “It’s an exciting time for women’s football and the growth and success of LCFC Women in recent seasons has been phenomenal.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Walkers as we aim to boost LCFC Women’s profile even further.”
Leicestershire Live
Walkers branding will be seen around King Power Stadium, while Leicester City Women will now come under the sponsorship umbrella
Leicester City have renewed their long-standing partnership with Walkers, which for the first time includes sponsorship of LCFC Women.
Running throughout the 2022/23 season, the partnership with both the men’s and women’s teams will include Walkers' branding being visible at King Power Stadium on home matchdays.
The Leicester-based company sponsored the club’s shirts from 1987 to 2001 and Filbert Way carried the brand’s name between 2002 and 2011. However, it is the first time Walkers have sponsored Leicester City Women, who recently kicked off a second successive campaign in the Women’s Super League.
It comes after PepsiCo, Walkers’ parent company, recently announced a partnership with Women in Football to sponsor 45 aspiring female coaches on a Football Association course.
Fiona Tomlin, chief marketing officer at PepsiCo UK & Ireland, said: “From Gary Lineker’s iconic ads to our special Salt and Victory crisps marking the historic Premier League title win, Leicester City has regularly been part of the Walkers story for decades.
“Continuing our partnership with the club and adding to the support of LCFC Women is particularly special for us. It takes PepsiCo’s commitment to supporting its local team and growing the women’s game to the next level, and we can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve.”
Walkers has also been an advocate for grassroots football in Leicester, launching a community football pitch in the city last year in partnership with Leicester City in the Community, which was made in part using recycled Walkers crisps packets.
Harj Hir, head of partnerships at Leicester City, said: “It’s an exciting time for women’s football and the growth and success of LCFC Women in recent seasons has been phenomenal.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Walkers as we aim to boost LCFC Women’s profile even further.”
Leicestershire Live
LEICESTER CITY 4-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Magical Maddison fires Foxes to maiden win
Leicester City finally ended their wait for a Premier League (PL) win by demolishing Nottingham Forest in the East Midlands derby. James Maddison brought up a half-century of goals for the Foxes with a brace that included an exquisite free-kick to lift his side off the foot of the table.
Amidst his own side’s issues, Steve Cooper ditched his trusted three-at-the-back formation in favour of a more traditional four, but there were issues immediately as the hosts carved them open at will. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall missed a gilt-edged header from close range, before Jamie Vardy was unusually wasteful firing an effort straight at Dean Henderson. On the break they’d have a chance of their own, but striker Taiwo Awoniyi could only hit the post having beaten the offside trap.
The consequences of that miss would be dire, as Leicester scored three times in the space of 10 minutes to blitz Forest out of the game. Maddison got the ball rolling, seizing on Jesse Lingard’s awful clearance to blaze home with the help of a deflection. Less than two minutes later, Harvey Barnes was afforded too much space on the edge of the area and expertly curled his effort into the far corner, before Maddison completed the onslaught with a glorious free-kick that left Henderson rooted to the spot. Remarkably, the 25-year-old has now had a direct hand in 50% of his side’s last 26 goals.
Serious problems faced Cooper after his side conceded three goals in a half, all from outside the area - the first team to do that in the PL in five years. A triple substitution highlighted his unhappiness with his side’s display, but there was no change in the Trees’ luck. Awoniyi found himself in behind the defence again, but Danny Ward was there to prevent him, before Brennan Johnson’s poor first-touch took away his chance with the goal at his mercy.
The Foxes continued to pile on the punishment, adding a fourth through Patson Daka as he delightfully flicked Maddison’s cross beyond Henderson. Some of the pressure mounting on Brendan Rodgers is surely relieved, as he avoided losing three consecutive home games for the first time in his managerial career. The same cannot be said for Cooper though, as Forest lost five league matches in a row within a single season for the first time since December 2004, as the newly-promoted outfit sink to the bottom of the PL standings.
Flashscore Man of the Match: James Maddison (Leicester City)
FLASHSCORE.CO.UK
Magical Maddison fires Foxes to maiden win
Leicester City finally ended their wait for a Premier League (PL) win by demolishing Nottingham Forest in the East Midlands derby. James Maddison brought up a half-century of goals for the Foxes with a brace that included an exquisite free-kick to lift his side off the foot of the table.
Amidst his own side’s issues, Steve Cooper ditched his trusted three-at-the-back formation in favour of a more traditional four, but there were issues immediately as the hosts carved them open at will. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall missed a gilt-edged header from close range, before Jamie Vardy was unusually wasteful firing an effort straight at Dean Henderson. On the break they’d have a chance of their own, but striker Taiwo Awoniyi could only hit the post having beaten the offside trap.
The consequences of that miss would be dire, as Leicester scored three times in the space of 10 minutes to blitz Forest out of the game. Maddison got the ball rolling, seizing on Jesse Lingard’s awful clearance to blaze home with the help of a deflection. Less than two minutes later, Harvey Barnes was afforded too much space on the edge of the area and expertly curled his effort into the far corner, before Maddison completed the onslaught with a glorious free-kick that left Henderson rooted to the spot. Remarkably, the 25-year-old has now had a direct hand in 50% of his side’s last 26 goals.
Serious problems faced Cooper after his side conceded three goals in a half, all from outside the area - the first team to do that in the PL in five years. A triple substitution highlighted his unhappiness with his side’s display, but there was no change in the Trees’ luck. Awoniyi found himself in behind the defence again, but Danny Ward was there to prevent him, before Brennan Johnson’s poor first-touch took away his chance with the goal at his mercy.
The Foxes continued to pile on the punishment, adding a fourth through Patson Daka as he delightfully flicked Maddison’s cross beyond Henderson. Some of the pressure mounting on Brendan Rodgers is surely relieved, as he avoided losing three consecutive home games for the first time in his managerial career. The same cannot be said for Cooper though, as Forest lost five league matches in a row within a single season for the first time since December 2004, as the newly-promoted outfit sink to the bottom of the PL standings.
Flashscore Man of the Match: James Maddison (Leicester City)
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Tottenham Hotspur 6-2 Leicester City
RODGERS MUST GO & GO NOW - 22 goals conceded after 7 games is the worst record after that number of games in Premier League history
Heung-min Son came off the bench to net a second-half hat-trick, as a rampant Tottenham Hotspur put six past a hapless Leicester City side, extending the Foxes losing streak to a worrying six Premier League matches.
In a pulsating opening 45 minutes, there was action aplenty at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, starting with a Leicester penalty just four minutes in. It looked as if Davinson Sánchez, who had been at fault to give the spot-kick away, would be bailed out by teammate Hugo Lloris, only for referee Simon Hooper to order a retake. After seeing his effort saved moments before, Youri Tielemans went the same way, but this time evaded the Tottenham goalkeeper to give Leicester an unlikely lead.
Already wounded from their midweek UEFA Champions League defeat to Sporting CP, Antonio Conte’s side bounced back from the early setback, scoring twice in 13 minutes to tip the game on its head. It started with Harry Kane, whose back-post header restored parity, while taking the England international’s record to 18 goals against Leicester in the Premier League. He was joined on the scoresheet by Eric Dier - who was recalled to the national team himself this week - after the defender guided a header beyond a struggling Danny Ward.
Only Bournemouth had conceded more goals heading into the weekend’s action than Leicester, but despite more leakiness at the back, the visitors continued to press for an equaliser. In what was turning into an all-English affair, James Maddison, who continues to be left out of the England side, popped up with a delightful lobbed effort on the brink of HT to ensure the Foxes entered the break on level terms.
However, having worked hard to get back into the game, it would once again be an unforced error that cost Leicester just after the interval. Pouncing on a moment of indecision from the usually-reliable Wilfred Ndidi, Rodrigo Bentancur’s bursting run from deep ended with the midfielder stroking home his first goal in Tottenham white.
An already miserable afternoon would be capped off for Leicester, when Son, yet to score so far this season, came off the bench to net three goals in 15 minutes for a resurgent Tottenham side. The first two came in stylish fashion, with the forward curling home from outside the penalty area, before he marked his return to scoring ways by squeezing home a third just two minutes from time.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Heung-min Son (Tottenham Hotspur)
RODGERS MUST GO & GO NOW - 22 goals conceded after 7 games is the worst record after that number of games in Premier League history
Heung-min Son came off the bench to net a second-half hat-trick, as a rampant Tottenham Hotspur put six past a hapless Leicester City side, extending the Foxes losing streak to a worrying six Premier League matches.
In a pulsating opening 45 minutes, there was action aplenty at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, starting with a Leicester penalty just four minutes in. It looked as if Davinson Sánchez, who had been at fault to give the spot-kick away, would be bailed out by teammate Hugo Lloris, only for referee Simon Hooper to order a retake. After seeing his effort saved moments before, Youri Tielemans went the same way, but this time evaded the Tottenham goalkeeper to give Leicester an unlikely lead.
Already wounded from their midweek UEFA Champions League defeat to Sporting CP, Antonio Conte’s side bounced back from the early setback, scoring twice in 13 minutes to tip the game on its head. It started with Harry Kane, whose back-post header restored parity, while taking the England international’s record to 18 goals against Leicester in the Premier League. He was joined on the scoresheet by Eric Dier - who was recalled to the national team himself this week - after the defender guided a header beyond a struggling Danny Ward.
Only Bournemouth had conceded more goals heading into the weekend’s action than Leicester, but despite more leakiness at the back, the visitors continued to press for an equaliser. In what was turning into an all-English affair, James Maddison, who continues to be left out of the England side, popped up with a delightful lobbed effort on the brink of HT to ensure the Foxes entered the break on level terms.
However, having worked hard to get back into the game, it would once again be an unforced error that cost Leicester just after the interval. Pouncing on a moment of indecision from the usually-reliable Wilfred Ndidi, Rodrigo Bentancur’s bursting run from deep ended with the midfielder stroking home his first goal in Tottenham white.
An already miserable afternoon would be capped off for Leicester, when Son, yet to score so far this season, came off the bench to net three goals in 15 minutes for a resurgent Tottenham side. The first two came in stylish fashion, with the forward curling home from outside the penalty area, before he marked his return to scoring ways by squeezing home a third just two minutes from time.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Heung-min Son (Tottenham Hotspur)
Leicester City's bid to expand King Power given go ahead
Councillors also gave a ruling in principle on second plan which will transform the area round the stadium
Leicester City have been given the go ahead to add an extra 8,000 seats to the King Power Stadium after the club's expansion plans were approved by councillors. A new upper tier will be added to the East Stand, which will also expand behind the existing structure, taking the total stadium capacity from 32,312 to around 40,000.
On the lower levels, there would be hospitality suites, catering facilities, a 'sensory room' and a first aid room. The expansion would also wrap around the North and South stands at the same height as the existing levels.
A second outline application which will transform the area around the King Power was also given the go ahead. It includes a new 220-room hotel, a fanzone, 20-storey block of 234 new homes, a new club shop, a completely separate 6,000-seat indoor arena and multi-storey car park for around 525 cars and 80 bicycles.
Members of Leicester City Council's planning committee tonight, Wednesday, September 14, expressed their excitement about the expansion plans and the benefits it would bring to the city – including more employment, a boost to the economy and improving Leicester’s standing as a city and as a club – and to fans. They also expressed their gratitude to the club and its owner Khun Vichai for all they have done locally.
Councillor Teresa Aldred said: “For me to be able to see so many more people be able to access football, I really welcome the seating. I’ve looked at [the plan] and it think it is absolutely beautiful. There’s going to be so many children out there and so many families who are now going to be able to go to Leicester City football. I think they are an amazing club. I wholeheartedly welcome this application.”
An overview of the the planned King Power Stadium redevelopments, which shows 'The Avenue', a walkway from Aylestone Road, between the arena and hotel, and into the fanzone and stadium (Image: LCFC)The club also wants to double the number of non-sporting events such as concerts that can be held at the ground from the current five per year. It also wishes to increase the numbers attending those events to a maximum capacity from 36,000 to 48,950.
The new shop would be on the east side of the stadium, close to Raw Dykes Road under the current plan. The hotel, which would have food and drink outlets and a business centre, would be to the south of the store and the flats to the south east of that.
What the view of the expanded East Stand will look like from the West StandHowever, neighbouring Some concerns were raised about the wider plans outside the stadium by the neighbouring Leicester Electricity Sports Cricket Club. Spokesperson Keith Webster said they were fully onboard with the stadium expansion but fear the height of the hotel would overshadow their pitch and increase in traffic.
However, planning officers said they did not consider the overshadowing of the cricket grounds to be unacceptable. They added a series of measures were being arranged to help ease congestion, including encouraging people to use public transport or, if they insisted on driving, to park in a way that would not impact on city streets.
(Image: Leicester City Football Club)In putting forward the motion to approve to the two parts of the application, Chair of the meeting Councillor Vijay Singh Riyait said: “This is a significant development not only for the club, but also for the city which will provide not only further development for that area, which for a long time I think has needed it, but also it’s a contribution to the cultural and social life of this city.” The motion was seconded by Coun Aldred and unanimously approved.
The club will have five years to start work on the stadium expansion. It will also have five years to submit a full planning document for phase two of the scheme.
A decision was originally due on the application in February and the council has missed two further deadlines – one in April and one at the end of July – since. A spokesperson for the council previously said delays are common in such complex planning cases.
Leicestershire Live
Councillors also gave a ruling in principle on second plan which will transform the area round the stadium
Leicester City have been given the go ahead to add an extra 8,000 seats to the King Power Stadium after the club's expansion plans were approved by councillors. A new upper tier will be added to the East Stand, which will also expand behind the existing structure, taking the total stadium capacity from 32,312 to around 40,000.
On the lower levels, there would be hospitality suites, catering facilities, a 'sensory room' and a first aid room. The expansion would also wrap around the North and South stands at the same height as the existing levels.
A second outline application which will transform the area around the King Power was also given the go ahead. It includes a new 220-room hotel, a fanzone, 20-storey block of 234 new homes, a new club shop, a completely separate 6,000-seat indoor arena and multi-storey car park for around 525 cars and 80 bicycles.
Members of Leicester City Council's planning committee tonight, Wednesday, September 14, expressed their excitement about the expansion plans and the benefits it would bring to the city – including more employment, a boost to the economy and improving Leicester’s standing as a city and as a club – and to fans. They also expressed their gratitude to the club and its owner Khun Vichai for all they have done locally.
Councillor Teresa Aldred said: “For me to be able to see so many more people be able to access football, I really welcome the seating. I’ve looked at [the plan] and it think it is absolutely beautiful. There’s going to be so many children out there and so many families who are now going to be able to go to Leicester City football. I think they are an amazing club. I wholeheartedly welcome this application.”
An overview of the the planned King Power Stadium redevelopments, which shows 'The Avenue', a walkway from Aylestone Road, between the arena and hotel, and into the fanzone and stadium (Image: LCFC)The club also wants to double the number of non-sporting events such as concerts that can be held at the ground from the current five per year. It also wishes to increase the numbers attending those events to a maximum capacity from 36,000 to 48,950.
The new shop would be on the east side of the stadium, close to Raw Dykes Road under the current plan. The hotel, which would have food and drink outlets and a business centre, would be to the south of the store and the flats to the south east of that.
What the view of the expanded East Stand will look like from the West StandHowever, neighbouring Some concerns were raised about the wider plans outside the stadium by the neighbouring Leicester Electricity Sports Cricket Club. Spokesperson Keith Webster said they were fully onboard with the stadium expansion but fear the height of the hotel would overshadow their pitch and increase in traffic.
However, planning officers said they did not consider the overshadowing of the cricket grounds to be unacceptable. They added a series of measures were being arranged to help ease congestion, including encouraging people to use public transport or, if they insisted on driving, to park in a way that would not impact on city streets.
(Image: Leicester City Football Club)In putting forward the motion to approve to the two parts of the application, Chair of the meeting Councillor Vijay Singh Riyait said: “This is a significant development not only for the club, but also for the city which will provide not only further development for that area, which for a long time I think has needed it, but also it’s a contribution to the cultural and social life of this city.” The motion was seconded by Coun Aldred and unanimously approved.
The club will have five years to start work on the stadium expansion. It will also have five years to submit a full planning document for phase two of the scheme.
A decision was originally due on the application in February and the council has missed two further deadlines – one in April and one at the end of July – since. A spokesperson for the council previously said delays are common in such complex planning cases.
Leicestershire Live
Brendan Rodgers and Leicester City's new transfer chief hold talks over future windows
City's new head of recruitment Martyn Glover began work with the club at the weekend following his move from Southampton, and planning now begins for upcoming transfer windows
Leicester City’s new head of recruitment Martyn Glover has started his work at the club as thoughts turn towards upcoming transfer windows.
Glover took up his position at City over the weekend after his period of gardening leave at Southampton ended. Following Lee Congerton’s departure to Atalanta in the spring, City picked out Glover as his replacement, but as part of his exit from the Saints he was not able to start at the club until after the end of the summer transfer window.
It was a window that did not go to plan for City, and particularly for manager Brendan Rodgers. He had hoped for five or six new faces as part of a shake-up of the squad, but financial concerns and an inability to move players through the exit door left the club with just one new outfield player in the form of centre-back Wout Faes.
The question for City is whether their finances impact their business in January, when the transfer window reopens, or whether the £70m sale of Wesley Fofana will open the door for business to be done. If there is scope for signings, Glover will be at the heart of the deals.
“He’s been in from the weekend, so I’ve had some good conversations with Martyn,” Rodgers said this week. Asked if those conversations were related to the January transfer window, the manager replied: “Well, it’s about planning,” adding that he had not yet been given any indication of what the club might be able to do in the new year.
After the defeat at Brighton, Rodgers had suggested that he needed the winter window to turn around City’s form. He said that when he joined a struggling Watford side in his first managerial job, the signings made in January helped him improve the club’s form.
Asked if he had ever been in a similar situation to the one he is currently in at City, he said: “My first job is the only time. When I went into Watford, they were in the bottom three. I went in around November (2008). I looked to pick the group up and then we made signings in January and that made the difference.”
Glover’s deals with the Saints may give an insight into the sort of business he may do at City. He had particular joy in bringing in young, inexperienced players from the academies of the country’s elite clubs, with Kyle Walker-Peters joining from Spurs for £13m and going on to become an England international with Southampton.
Last summer, the Saints signed two players from Chelsea who went on to be big hits. Full-back Tino Livramento joined for £6m and the teenager impressed until he suffered an ACL injury in April. Striker Armando Broja also proved to be a successful signing on loan, and he has been playing in Chelsea’s first team this season.
Leicestershire Live
City's new head of recruitment Martyn Glover began work with the club at the weekend following his move from Southampton, and planning now begins for upcoming transfer windows
Leicester City’s new head of recruitment Martyn Glover has started his work at the club as thoughts turn towards upcoming transfer windows.
Glover took up his position at City over the weekend after his period of gardening leave at Southampton ended. Following Lee Congerton’s departure to Atalanta in the spring, City picked out Glover as his replacement, but as part of his exit from the Saints he was not able to start at the club until after the end of the summer transfer window.
It was a window that did not go to plan for City, and particularly for manager Brendan Rodgers. He had hoped for five or six new faces as part of a shake-up of the squad, but financial concerns and an inability to move players through the exit door left the club with just one new outfield player in the form of centre-back Wout Faes.
The question for City is whether their finances impact their business in January, when the transfer window reopens, or whether the £70m sale of Wesley Fofana will open the door for business to be done. If there is scope for signings, Glover will be at the heart of the deals.
“He’s been in from the weekend, so I’ve had some good conversations with Martyn,” Rodgers said this week. Asked if those conversations were related to the January transfer window, the manager replied: “Well, it’s about planning,” adding that he had not yet been given any indication of what the club might be able to do in the new year.
After the defeat at Brighton, Rodgers had suggested that he needed the winter window to turn around City’s form. He said that when he joined a struggling Watford side in his first managerial job, the signings made in January helped him improve the club’s form.
Asked if he had ever been in a similar situation to the one he is currently in at City, he said: “My first job is the only time. When I went into Watford, they were in the bottom three. I went in around November (2008). I looked to pick the group up and then we made signings in January and that made the difference.”
Glover’s deals with the Saints may give an insight into the sort of business he may do at City. He had particular joy in bringing in young, inexperienced players from the academies of the country’s elite clubs, with Kyle Walker-Peters joining from Spurs for £13m and going on to become an England international with Southampton.
Last summer, the Saints signed two players from Chelsea who went on to be big hits. Full-back Tino Livramento joined for £6m and the teenager impressed until he suffered an ACL injury in April. Striker Armando Broja also proved to be a successful signing on loan, and he has been playing in Chelsea’s first team this season.
Leicestershire Live
Meet the USA coach and Danish title-winner tasked with solving big Leicester City problem
Lars Knudsen is now in place at City after a two-month wait for a visa, with the former Midtjylland assistant manager looking to resolve the club's Achilles' heel
Leicester City’s specialist set-piece coach has finally arrived at the club to help the squad with their Achilles’ heel.
Lars Knudsen arrived at the club last week, manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed, after a two-month delay. Rodgers revealed at the start of August that the club had recruited a set-piece coach but that the process of bringing him in had taken three or four weeks to that point, with City seeking the FA’s help to get him a visa.
With those issues sorted, Knudsen can get down to business at Seagrave. Twenty-one of the 59 Premier League goals City conceded came from dead-ball situations last season, and they would have finished in the top six had they cut out even half of those. They were also knocked out of Europe after Tammy Abraham’s header from a corner for Roma.
Open-play defending has been the issue this term, but City did concede from a corner in their second game, at Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus nodding in. Knudsen’s task will be to sharpen City up defensively, while also making them a bigger threat in attack.
The Dane is highly-rated in the field and will double up with his duties as set-piece coach for the USA national team, having been appointed to the role earlier in the summer in preparation for the World Cup in Qatar this winter. Previously, he was head coach of Denmark's national youth teams, while he was formerly assistant manager at Midtjylland, where he won the Danish title in 2018. The club's success was built on a strong set-piece game, with 25 of their 80 goals coming from dead balls.
Rodgers said on Knudsen’s appointment at his press conference on Thursday: “He currently works for the USA national team as set-piece coach. He worked before with the Danish national team and was also an assistant manager in Denmark.
“He came very highly recommended. Lars worked closely with the guy who has been appointed as set-piece coach for the German national team (Mads Buttgereit), they worked very closely together. We’re delighted to have him in. It took a long time for him to come in. He’s settled in very well.”
But Rodgers knows his success will also be about the team’s application at set-pieces. After conceding from a long throw against Southampton, and asked whether it was something a specialist coach could fix, Rodgers said: “He’s not coming in with a magic wand.
“He’s going to give us a lot of analysis and he’s a very skilled coach. If you don’t get first contact, a set-piece coach can’t make a difference to that.”
Leicestershire Live
Lars Knudsen is now in place at City after a two-month wait for a visa, with the former Midtjylland assistant manager looking to resolve the club's Achilles' heel
Leicester City’s specialist set-piece coach has finally arrived at the club to help the squad with their Achilles’ heel.
Lars Knudsen arrived at the club last week, manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed, after a two-month delay. Rodgers revealed at the start of August that the club had recruited a set-piece coach but that the process of bringing him in had taken three or four weeks to that point, with City seeking the FA’s help to get him a visa.
With those issues sorted, Knudsen can get down to business at Seagrave. Twenty-one of the 59 Premier League goals City conceded came from dead-ball situations last season, and they would have finished in the top six had they cut out even half of those. They were also knocked out of Europe after Tammy Abraham’s header from a corner for Roma.
Open-play defending has been the issue this term, but City did concede from a corner in their second game, at Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus nodding in. Knudsen’s task will be to sharpen City up defensively, while also making them a bigger threat in attack.
The Dane is highly-rated in the field and will double up with his duties as set-piece coach for the USA national team, having been appointed to the role earlier in the summer in preparation for the World Cup in Qatar this winter. Previously, he was head coach of Denmark's national youth teams, while he was formerly assistant manager at Midtjylland, where he won the Danish title in 2018. The club's success was built on a strong set-piece game, with 25 of their 80 goals coming from dead balls.
Rodgers said on Knudsen’s appointment at his press conference on Thursday: “He currently works for the USA national team as set-piece coach. He worked before with the Danish national team and was also an assistant manager in Denmark.
“He came very highly recommended. Lars worked closely with the guy who has been appointed as set-piece coach for the German national team (Mads Buttgereit), they worked very closely together. We’re delighted to have him in. It took a long time for him to come in. He’s settled in very well.”
But Rodgers knows his success will also be about the team’s application at set-pieces. After conceding from a long throw against Southampton, and asked whether it was something a specialist coach could fix, Rodgers said: “He’s not coming in with a magic wand.
“He’s going to give us a lot of analysis and he’s a very skilled coach. If you don’t get first contact, a set-piece coach can’t make a difference to that.”
Leicestershire Live
Brendan Rodgers opens door for Leicester City fringe players to 'prove him wrong'
The Leicester City manager informed several members of his squad in May that they would need to find new clubs if they wanted game-time, but many remain in his group
Players told by Brendan Rodgers that they had no futures at Leicester City will be able to get themselves back into his reckoning at the club.
Rodgers outlined to members of his squad in May that they may not get as much game-time this season because of the lack of European football, as well as the planned squad refresh. The manager had anticipated that many of those would seek new clubs, but City had just four senior departures this summer: Kasper Schmeichel, Eldin Jakupovic, Hamza Choudhury, and Wesley Fofana.
The likes of Jannik Vestergaard, Boubakary Soumare, Caglar Soyuncu, Ayoze Perez, and Ryan Bertrand were all expected to be cut from the squad, particularly with the latter three in the final years of their deals. But they remain in Rodgers’ group.
Soyuncu's situation is particularly intriguing. There was a possibility he could still have made a late move to Turkey, with Galatasaray and Besiktas both interested and with the transfer window in his homeland not closing until Thursday night. However, a move did not go through, with reports in Turkey that Soyuncu was not keen on going back.
The centre-back has so far been left out of the City line-up in the Premier League, and he did not even make the bench at Brighton, with Rodgers explaining that he "has been out of form in training" and that it "has been a difficult period for him" because he expected a transfer. He should get a place in the club's 25-man squad though.
Despite those previous messages to fringe players, Rodgers insists he is open enough to welcome them back into contention. Speaking just before the end of the transfer window, he said: “It’s not about building bridges, it’s just being honest and reinforcing where they sit in the structure of the squad. You’re thinking that players will want to play football. Most do. “When you’re open to them and you can speak openly, and tell them where it lies for them, that’s all you can do. I don’t fall out with players. I speak openly. They appreciate the honesty.
“It’s down to their decision, or their agent’s decision, if they can get a club or whatnot. But what they can never do is say they haven’t been told. They understand the position.”
Rodgers also knows from experience that those players can prove him wrong and show a different side to their game and become key members of the squad again. He said: “I’ve been in a position before where I’ve told a player that he doesn’t fit my style or doesn’t fit my way of working but then they’ve shown me in training that they can change and I see a different side. That was to the point where players I’ve said that to before I’ve actually transferred them when I’ve gone on to other clubs.
“I’m an open coach, I’m not closed, I know exactly how I want to work, how I want to play, I know the type of players I want. But I’m always open for players to prove me wrong, or prove that they have a place in the squad or team.”
Leicestershire Live
The Leicester City manager informed several members of his squad in May that they would need to find new clubs if they wanted game-time, but many remain in his group
Players told by Brendan Rodgers that they had no futures at Leicester City will be able to get themselves back into his reckoning at the club.
Rodgers outlined to members of his squad in May that they may not get as much game-time this season because of the lack of European football, as well as the planned squad refresh. The manager had anticipated that many of those would seek new clubs, but City had just four senior departures this summer: Kasper Schmeichel, Eldin Jakupovic, Hamza Choudhury, and Wesley Fofana.
The likes of Jannik Vestergaard, Boubakary Soumare, Caglar Soyuncu, Ayoze Perez, and Ryan Bertrand were all expected to be cut from the squad, particularly with the latter three in the final years of their deals. But they remain in Rodgers’ group.
Soyuncu's situation is particularly intriguing. There was a possibility he could still have made a late move to Turkey, with Galatasaray and Besiktas both interested and with the transfer window in his homeland not closing until Thursday night. However, a move did not go through, with reports in Turkey that Soyuncu was not keen on going back.
The centre-back has so far been left out of the City line-up in the Premier League, and he did not even make the bench at Brighton, with Rodgers explaining that he "has been out of form in training" and that it "has been a difficult period for him" because he expected a transfer. He should get a place in the club's 25-man squad though.
Despite those previous messages to fringe players, Rodgers insists he is open enough to welcome them back into contention. Speaking just before the end of the transfer window, he said: “It’s not about building bridges, it’s just being honest and reinforcing where they sit in the structure of the squad. You’re thinking that players will want to play football. Most do. “When you’re open to them and you can speak openly, and tell them where it lies for them, that’s all you can do. I don’t fall out with players. I speak openly. They appreciate the honesty.
“It’s down to their decision, or their agent’s decision, if they can get a club or whatnot. But what they can never do is say they haven’t been told. They understand the position.”
Rodgers also knows from experience that those players can prove him wrong and show a different side to their game and become key members of the squad again. He said: “I’ve been in a position before where I’ve told a player that he doesn’t fit my style or doesn’t fit my way of working but then they’ve shown me in training that they can change and I see a different side. That was to the point where players I’ve said that to before I’ve actually transferred them when I’ve gone on to other clubs.
“I’m an open coach, I’m not closed, I know exactly how I want to work, how I want to play, I know the type of players I want. But I’m always open for players to prove me wrong, or prove that they have a place in the squad or team.”
Leicestershire Live
Striker feels Leicester City journey is not over yet as he tackles 'unfinished business'
The 23-year-old has joined Championship side Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan deal after signing a two-year contract extension with City during the summer
Leicester City’s new head of recruitment Martyn Glover has started his work at the club as thoughts turn towards upcoming transfer windows.
Glover took up his position at City over the weekend after his period of gardening leave at Southampton ended. Following Lee Congerton’s departure to Atalanta in the spring, City picked out Glover as his replacement, but as part of his exit from the Saints he was not able to start at the club until after the end of the summer transfer window.
It was a window that did not go to plan for City, and particularly for manager Brendan Rodgers. He had hoped for five or six new faces as part of a shake-up of the squad, but financial concerns and an inability to move players through the exit door left the club with just one new outfield player in the form of centre-back Wout Faes.
The question for City is whether their finances impact their business in January, when the transfer window reopens, or whether the £70m sale of Wesley Fofana will open the door for business to be done. If there is scope for signings, Glover will be at the heart of the deals.
“He’s been in from the weekend, so I’ve had some good conversations with Martyn,” Rodgers said this week. Asked if those conversations were related to the January transfer window, the manager replied: “Well, it’s about planning,” adding that he had not yet been given any indication of what the club might be able to do in the new year.
After the defeat at Brighton, Rodgers had suggested that he needed the winter window to turn around City’s form. He said that when he joined a struggling Watford side in his first managerial job, the signings made in January helped him improve the club’s form. Asked if he had ever been in a similar situation to the one he is currently in at City, he said: “My first job is the only time. When I went into Watford, they were in the bottom three. I went in around November (2008). I looked to pick the group up and then we made signings in January and that made the difference.”
Glover’s deals with the Saints may give an insight into the sort of business he may do at City. He had particular joy in bringing in young, inexperienced players from the academies of the country’s elite clubs, with Kyle Walker-Peters joining from Spurs for £13m and going on to become an England international with Southampton.
Last summer, the Saints signed two players from Chelsea who went on to be big hits. Full-back Tino Livramento joined for £6m and the teenager impressed until he suffered an ACL injury in April. Striker Armando Broja also proved to be a successful signing on loan, and he has been playing in Chelsea’s first team this season.
Leicestershire Live
The 23-year-old has joined Championship side Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan deal after signing a two-year contract extension with City during the summer
Leicester City’s new head of recruitment Martyn Glover has started his work at the club as thoughts turn towards upcoming transfer windows.
Glover took up his position at City over the weekend after his period of gardening leave at Southampton ended. Following Lee Congerton’s departure to Atalanta in the spring, City picked out Glover as his replacement, but as part of his exit from the Saints he was not able to start at the club until after the end of the summer transfer window.
It was a window that did not go to plan for City, and particularly for manager Brendan Rodgers. He had hoped for five or six new faces as part of a shake-up of the squad, but financial concerns and an inability to move players through the exit door left the club with just one new outfield player in the form of centre-back Wout Faes.
The question for City is whether their finances impact their business in January, when the transfer window reopens, or whether the £70m sale of Wesley Fofana will open the door for business to be done. If there is scope for signings, Glover will be at the heart of the deals.
“He’s been in from the weekend, so I’ve had some good conversations with Martyn,” Rodgers said this week. Asked if those conversations were related to the January transfer window, the manager replied: “Well, it’s about planning,” adding that he had not yet been given any indication of what the club might be able to do in the new year.
After the defeat at Brighton, Rodgers had suggested that he needed the winter window to turn around City’s form. He said that when he joined a struggling Watford side in his first managerial job, the signings made in January helped him improve the club’s form. Asked if he had ever been in a similar situation to the one he is currently in at City, he said: “My first job is the only time. When I went into Watford, they were in the bottom three. I went in around November (2008). I looked to pick the group up and then we made signings in January and that made the difference.”
Glover’s deals with the Saints may give an insight into the sort of business he may do at City. He had particular joy in bringing in young, inexperienced players from the academies of the country’s elite clubs, with Kyle Walker-Peters joining from Spurs for £13m and going on to become an England international with Southampton.
Last summer, the Saints signed two players from Chelsea who went on to be big hits. Full-back Tino Livramento joined for £6m and the teenager impressed until he suffered an ACL injury in April. Striker Armando Broja also proved to be a successful signing on loan, and he has been playing in Chelsea’s first team this season.
Leicestershire Live
Brighton got the flow with return of the Mac
Brighton and Hove Albion survived a first-half scare to outclass a disjointed Leicester City side, eventually running out 5-2 winners at the AMEX Stadium and extending their unbeaten home Premier League run to seven games.
Precedent favoured the Foxes in this fixture, as both sides hoped to bounce back from mid-week defeats. Leicester City had only lost once in their last ten meetings against the Seagulls, winning six of those games, and took the lead inside a minute, when Patson Daka’s low cross found its way to Kelechi Iheanacho at the back post for a tap-in.
However, it didn’t take long for Brighton to respond, and inside ten minutes, Solly March got on the end of Leandro Trossard’s cross to turn the ball in off Luke Thomas for an unfortunate own goal to level the scoreline.
It only took Brighton a further 15 minutes to showcase Leicester’s defensive frailties again, with Enock Mwepu being allowed to carry the ball over 30 yards unchallenged before slipping in Moisés Caicedo, who found the bottom corner for 2-1. Danny Ward then had his blushes spared after being robbed of the ball by Danny Welbeck, with the forward’s attempted lob going narrowly over the bar.
Leicester responded well with an equaliser against the run of play though, as Daka went from provider to scorer, beautifully taking down Youri Tielemans’ long pass and curling the ball past Robert Sánchez to make it 2-2 at HT. Yet, far from regroup at HT and capitalise in the second half, Leicester began poorly, and Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister had a goal of the season contender cruelly ruled out for the tightest of offsides, after a lengthy VAR review disallowed a thunderbolt into the top corner.
Clearly determined to take full points by any means, the Seagulls didn’t let this dishearten them, and they took the lead shortly after. Pascal Groß’ cute pass put Trossard through on goal, and the Belgian made no mistake to restore Brighton's lead.
It then got even worse for the Foxes, when Wilfred Ndidi brought down Trossard in the box, and Mac Allister stepped up from the spot to calmly make it 4-2. But Mac Allister wasn’t finished there, and in injury time the Argentinian scored an incredible free-kick into the top corner to cap off a remarkable performance.
The well-deserved victory keeps Brighton in the UEFA Champions League places, with a superb return of 13 points after six games. In stark contrast, Leicester remain rooted to the bottom of the table with a solitary point, suffering five straight league losses for the first time since 2017 – a sequence which saw title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri dismissed, surely leaving Brendan Rodgers in the last-chance saloon.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Flashscore.co.uk
Brighton and Hove Albion survived a first-half scare to outclass a disjointed Leicester City side, eventually running out 5-2 winners at the AMEX Stadium and extending their unbeaten home Premier League run to seven games.
Precedent favoured the Foxes in this fixture, as both sides hoped to bounce back from mid-week defeats. Leicester City had only lost once in their last ten meetings against the Seagulls, winning six of those games, and took the lead inside a minute, when Patson Daka’s low cross found its way to Kelechi Iheanacho at the back post for a tap-in.
However, it didn’t take long for Brighton to respond, and inside ten minutes, Solly March got on the end of Leandro Trossard’s cross to turn the ball in off Luke Thomas for an unfortunate own goal to level the scoreline.
It only took Brighton a further 15 minutes to showcase Leicester’s defensive frailties again, with Enock Mwepu being allowed to carry the ball over 30 yards unchallenged before slipping in Moisés Caicedo, who found the bottom corner for 2-1. Danny Ward then had his blushes spared after being robbed of the ball by Danny Welbeck, with the forward’s attempted lob going narrowly over the bar.
Leicester responded well with an equaliser against the run of play though, as Daka went from provider to scorer, beautifully taking down Youri Tielemans’ long pass and curling the ball past Robert Sánchez to make it 2-2 at HT. Yet, far from regroup at HT and capitalise in the second half, Leicester began poorly, and Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister had a goal of the season contender cruelly ruled out for the tightest of offsides, after a lengthy VAR review disallowed a thunderbolt into the top corner.
Clearly determined to take full points by any means, the Seagulls didn’t let this dishearten them, and they took the lead shortly after. Pascal Groß’ cute pass put Trossard through on goal, and the Belgian made no mistake to restore Brighton's lead.
It then got even worse for the Foxes, when Wilfred Ndidi brought down Trossard in the box, and Mac Allister stepped up from the spot to calmly make it 4-2. But Mac Allister wasn’t finished there, and in injury time the Argentinian scored an incredible free-kick into the top corner to cap off a remarkable performance.
The well-deserved victory keeps Brighton in the UEFA Champions League places, with a superb return of 13 points after six games. In stark contrast, Leicester remain rooted to the bottom of the table with a solitary point, suffering five straight league losses for the first time since 2017 – a sequence which saw title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri dismissed, surely leaving Brendan Rodgers in the last-chance saloon.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Flashscore.co.uk
‘This isn’t the club it was two years ago’ – Rodgers slams Leicester’s transfer business with Foxes bottom of league
BRENDAN RODGERS has slammed Leicester's transfer activity as his Foxes sit rock bottom of the Premier League.
A 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United on Thursday night seemed an appropriate way to end the transfer window as it slammed shut.
A dejected Rodgers has bemoaned the lack of signings for LeicesterCredit: Getty
2The Northern irishman admitted 'this isn’t the club that it was 2 years ago'Credit: GettyJadon Sancho’s first half winner has heaped yet more pressure on boss Rodgers. And Speaking after the game, the 49-year-old bemoaned the lack of signings to 5LiveSport.
He said: "This isn’t the club that it was two years ago. That’s the reality. "We haven’t brought any new players in, bar one late on, in the last two windows and that’s a replacement.
"With the greatest respect, we have not had the help in the transfer market that this team has needed."So these players need the supporters. It’s a moment that’s really important."
It comes just days after Scott Parker was sacked after appearing to criticise Bournemouth's transfer strategy. And Rodgers seemed to hint at a farewell in his post-game press-conference. He added: "I've loved every minute of being here. It's the longest I've ever been at a club and that's because of the players and the ownership.
"We've won an FA Cup and Community Shield and you want to build on that but we haven't been able to."
Leicester, who have allowed Kasper Schmeichel and Wesley Fofana to leave, have one point from five games.
The 2015-16 Prem champions are in desperate need of a result at Brighton on Sunday.
The Sun
BRENDAN RODGERS has slammed Leicester's transfer activity as his Foxes sit rock bottom of the Premier League.
A 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United on Thursday night seemed an appropriate way to end the transfer window as it slammed shut.
A dejected Rodgers has bemoaned the lack of signings for LeicesterCredit: Getty
2The Northern irishman admitted 'this isn’t the club that it was 2 years ago'Credit: GettyJadon Sancho’s first half winner has heaped yet more pressure on boss Rodgers. And Speaking after the game, the 49-year-old bemoaned the lack of signings to 5LiveSport.
He said: "This isn’t the club that it was two years ago. That’s the reality. "We haven’t brought any new players in, bar one late on, in the last two windows and that’s a replacement.
"With the greatest respect, we have not had the help in the transfer market that this team has needed."So these players need the supporters. It’s a moment that’s really important."
It comes just days after Scott Parker was sacked after appearing to criticise Bournemouth's transfer strategy. And Rodgers seemed to hint at a farewell in his post-game press-conference. He added: "I've loved every minute of being here. It's the longest I've ever been at a club and that's because of the players and the ownership.
"We've won an FA Cup and Community Shield and you want to build on that but we haven't been able to."
Leicester, who have allowed Kasper Schmeichel and Wesley Fofana to leave, have one point from five games.
The 2015-16 Prem champions are in desperate need of a result at Brighton on Sunday.
The Sun
Foxes left starving as the Reds go marching on
Manchester United sailed to a third consecutive Premier League (PL) victory with a 1-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, leaving the hosts rooted to the bottom of the table and winless in their opening five matches.
Leicester City’s King Power Stadium played host to the Premier League’s only action on transfer deadline day and they managed to keep a renewed Red Devils side at bay for much of the opening half, before finally giving in to a superb counterattack.
Jadon Sancho rounded Danny Ward following Marcus Rashford’s accurate through ball, etching the ball comfortably into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Sitting at the bottom of the league table, the Foxes pushed forward in the hopes of just a second point haul this campaign, but rarely threatened the visitors in the final-third.
The home side did respond after falling behind and Harvey Barnes was key to everything going forward but they struggled to create any significant goal scoring chances. Heading for a third consecutive win, Erik ten Hag went into the break perhaps more satisfied of the two managers.
James Maddison very nearly equalised a few minutes into the second half with a fantastic free-kick into the top right corner but was denied by an outstretched glove of David de Gea, who marvelously thwarted it away to keep his side in the lead. Casemiro’s introduction on the hour mark prompted a discernible change in the away side’s approach, offering the visitors more defensive rigidity in a bid to maintain a second consecutive clean sheet.
The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo ten minutes later handed a flurry of chances to United, who previously failed to win 56% of their PL games as away favorites since the start of last season. The Portuguese forward latched onto an accurate cross with an acrobatic bicycle kick that whiskered inches wide of the right post minutes before FT.
Having ended their hellish seven-game losing run on the road following a 1-0 win against Southampton last matchday, the Red Devils cruised to a second successive away win. It registers three consecutive wins for the first time this calendar year – something the club has managed to do every year since 1987. Meanwhile, the defeat heaps further pressure on Brendan Rodgers’ status as Leicester City manager as they remain winless this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Raphaël Varane (Manchester United)
flashscore.co.uk
Manchester United sailed to a third consecutive Premier League (PL) victory with a 1-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, leaving the hosts rooted to the bottom of the table and winless in their opening five matches.
Leicester City’s King Power Stadium played host to the Premier League’s only action on transfer deadline day and they managed to keep a renewed Red Devils side at bay for much of the opening half, before finally giving in to a superb counterattack.
Jadon Sancho rounded Danny Ward following Marcus Rashford’s accurate through ball, etching the ball comfortably into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Sitting at the bottom of the league table, the Foxes pushed forward in the hopes of just a second point haul this campaign, but rarely threatened the visitors in the final-third.
The home side did respond after falling behind and Harvey Barnes was key to everything going forward but they struggled to create any significant goal scoring chances. Heading for a third consecutive win, Erik ten Hag went into the break perhaps more satisfied of the two managers.
James Maddison very nearly equalised a few minutes into the second half with a fantastic free-kick into the top right corner but was denied by an outstretched glove of David de Gea, who marvelously thwarted it away to keep his side in the lead. Casemiro’s introduction on the hour mark prompted a discernible change in the away side’s approach, offering the visitors more defensive rigidity in a bid to maintain a second consecutive clean sheet.
The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo ten minutes later handed a flurry of chances to United, who previously failed to win 56% of their PL games as away favorites since the start of last season. The Portuguese forward latched onto an accurate cross with an acrobatic bicycle kick that whiskered inches wide of the right post minutes before FT.
Having ended their hellish seven-game losing run on the road following a 1-0 win against Southampton last matchday, the Red Devils cruised to a second successive away win. It registers three consecutive wins for the first time this calendar year – something the club has managed to do every year since 1987. Meanwhile, the defeat heaps further pressure on Brendan Rodgers’ status as Leicester City manager as they remain winless this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Raphaël Varane (Manchester United)
flashscore.co.uk
Leicester City Sign Wout Faes From Reims
Leicester City Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of defender Wout Faes from Ligue 1 side Reims on a five-year-deal, subject to international clearance.
More on this story...
- Belgium international Wout Faes joins Leicester City on five-year-deal
- The centre-back signs from Ligue 1 side Reims
- He made his debut for his country in June
The 24-year-old Belgium international made 37 appearances for The Red and Whites last season, with his impressive displays at centre-half earning him the club’s 2021/22 Player of the Season award.
Speaking to LCFC TV, Faes said: “It’s an amazing feeling [to be here]; it’s not sunk in yet. This is the dream step in my career and I’m very happy to be here. I’m progressing year after year, and I hope to continue doing the same here. All the facilities and knowledge is here to help me to get even better. I will have to work hard, but I will give 100 per cent to help the team.”
Born in Mol, Belgium, Faes joined Anderlecht’s youth academy in 2012, where he played alongside Youri Tielemans, and signed his first professional contract with the Belgian Pro League side.
He joined Dutch Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen on loan in January 2017, before a season-long loan at Excelsior the following campaign, during which he made 19 appearances for the club in all competitions.
In July 2018, the 24-year-old made the switch to Belgian Pro League side Oostende on a permanent deal. He went on to feature for De Kustboys 63 times in all competitions, scoring once.
A move to Ligue 1 side Reims followed in January 2020, although he was allowed to finish the season with Oostende on loan, before making his debut in France eight months later.
Faes went on to make 75 appearances for The Red and Whites in all competitions, scoring five goals, and was voted the club’s Player of the Season at the end of the last campaign.
He made his debut for Belgium in their 6-1 Nations League victory over Poland in June, appearing alongside new Foxes teammates Youri Tielemans and Timothy Castagne.
LCFC.COM
Leicester City Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of defender Wout Faes from Ligue 1 side Reims on a five-year-deal, subject to international clearance.
More on this story...
- Belgium international Wout Faes joins Leicester City on five-year-deal
- The centre-back signs from Ligue 1 side Reims
- He made his debut for his country in June
The 24-year-old Belgium international made 37 appearances for The Red and Whites last season, with his impressive displays at centre-half earning him the club’s 2021/22 Player of the Season award.
Speaking to LCFC TV, Faes said: “It’s an amazing feeling [to be here]; it’s not sunk in yet. This is the dream step in my career and I’m very happy to be here. I’m progressing year after year, and I hope to continue doing the same here. All the facilities and knowledge is here to help me to get even better. I will have to work hard, but I will give 100 per cent to help the team.”
Born in Mol, Belgium, Faes joined Anderlecht’s youth academy in 2012, where he played alongside Youri Tielemans, and signed his first professional contract with the Belgian Pro League side.
He joined Dutch Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen on loan in January 2017, before a season-long loan at Excelsior the following campaign, during which he made 19 appearances for the club in all competitions.
In July 2018, the 24-year-old made the switch to Belgian Pro League side Oostende on a permanent deal. He went on to feature for De Kustboys 63 times in all competitions, scoring once.
A move to Ligue 1 side Reims followed in January 2020, although he was allowed to finish the season with Oostende on loan, before making his debut in France eight months later.
Faes went on to make 75 appearances for The Red and Whites in all competitions, scoring five goals, and was voted the club’s Player of the Season at the end of the last campaign.
He made his debut for Belgium in their 6-1 Nations League victory over Poland in June, appearing alongside new Foxes teammates Youri Tielemans and Timothy Castagne.
LCFC.COM
Leicester City complete seventh loan transfer as striker pens new contract
Leicester City striker George Hirst has joined Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan.
The 23-year-old striker has also signed a new three-year deal at the King Power Stadium, committing him to the club until the summer of 2025. His new loan club have also confirmed they hold an option to buy Hirst once his loan comes to an end next summer.
City have given Blackburn permission to play Hirst in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season, despite Leicester being in both competitions. He will play under the management of former Newcastle and Denmark forward Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Hirst burst onto the scene as a young striker at George Hirst, breaking scoring records at academy level and looking set to follow in the footsteps of his father David, a former England international and Owls legend. He then signed for City's sister club OH Leuven in 2018 before moving to Leicester a year later.
“We are delighted to welcome George to Blackburn Rovers," the Championship side's director of football Gregg Broughton told rovers.co.uk. “He has been our first choice recruitment target as a striker all summer and, considering Jon Dahl’s knowledge of the position, this shows just how highly we regard him.
“Jon has been able to clearly communicate to George how he will fit into our style of play and George has been able to explain how he feels we could get the best out of him both personally and professionally.
“Rovers fans should look forward to seeing a striker with a goal threat, good link-up play, the ability to press from the front and an ideal mentality for our environment."
Leicestershire Live
Leicester City striker George Hirst has joined Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan.
The 23-year-old striker has also signed a new three-year deal at the King Power Stadium, committing him to the club until the summer of 2025. His new loan club have also confirmed they hold an option to buy Hirst once his loan comes to an end next summer.
City have given Blackburn permission to play Hirst in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season, despite Leicester being in both competitions. He will play under the management of former Newcastle and Denmark forward Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Hirst burst onto the scene as a young striker at George Hirst, breaking scoring records at academy level and looking set to follow in the footsteps of his father David, a former England international and Owls legend. He then signed for City's sister club OH Leuven in 2018 before moving to Leicester a year later.
“We are delighted to welcome George to Blackburn Rovers," the Championship side's director of football Gregg Broughton told rovers.co.uk. “He has been our first choice recruitment target as a striker all summer and, considering Jon Dahl’s knowledge of the position, this shows just how highly we regard him.
“Jon has been able to clearly communicate to George how he will fit into our style of play and George has been able to explain how he feels we could get the best out of him both personally and professionally.
“Rovers fans should look forward to seeing a striker with a goal threat, good link-up play, the ability to press from the front and an ideal mentality for our environment."
Leicestershire Live
Leicester City 'agree' bumper contract with Wesley Fofana replacement
Reims defender Wout Faes has "agreed" a five-year contract with Leicester City, according to reports.
The 24 year-old is seen as a replacement for Wesley Fofana, whose transfer to Chelsea seems to be imminent. City have been linked with a host of central defenders in recent days ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline.
Faes is widely regarded as a rising star in French football and has been linked with both Newcastle United and Torino over the summer. He made 37 appearances for Reims in Ligue 1 last season, his impressive displays earning him the club's 2021-22 Player of the Season award.
The defender came through the academy ranks at Anderlecht with City midfielder Youri Tielemans, the duo being at the Belgian club together between 2012 and 2017 before Tielemans moved to Monaco.
Faes has also played alongside Timothy Castagne and Dennis Praet for the Belgium national team, having made his international debut in their 6-1 Nations League victory over Poland back in June.
He is now set to link up with his international teammates on a more permanent basis, according to Belgian newspaper HLN. They report: "Wout Faes stands on the point of making an absolute top transfer. The 24-year-old defender from Stade Reims has agreed a five-year contract with Leicester City.
"How much The Foxes pay is not known, but it is a higher sum than the 12 million euros that Torino offered a few weeks ago. As soon as the last points and commas are made, the transfer of the Red Devils (player), who came from Anderlecht and KV Oostende, will be officially announced."
Leicestershire Live
Reims defender Wout Faes has "agreed" a five-year contract with Leicester City, according to reports.
The 24 year-old is seen as a replacement for Wesley Fofana, whose transfer to Chelsea seems to be imminent. City have been linked with a host of central defenders in recent days ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline.
Faes is widely regarded as a rising star in French football and has been linked with both Newcastle United and Torino over the summer. He made 37 appearances for Reims in Ligue 1 last season, his impressive displays earning him the club's 2021-22 Player of the Season award.
The defender came through the academy ranks at Anderlecht with City midfielder Youri Tielemans, the duo being at the Belgian club together between 2012 and 2017 before Tielemans moved to Monaco.
Faes has also played alongside Timothy Castagne and Dennis Praet for the Belgium national team, having made his international debut in their 6-1 Nations League victory over Poland back in June.
He is now set to link up with his international teammates on a more permanent basis, according to Belgian newspaper HLN. They report: "Wout Faes stands on the point of making an absolute top transfer. The 24-year-old defender from Stade Reims has agreed a five-year contract with Leicester City.
"How much The Foxes pay is not known, but it is a higher sum than the 12 million euros that Torino offered a few weeks ago. As soon as the last points and commas are made, the transfer of the Red Devils (player), who came from Anderlecht and KV Oostende, will be officially announced."
Leicestershire Live
Leicester and Everton in transfer fight for ex-West Brom midfielder Matheus Pereira
LEICESTER and Everton are weighing up a late move for ex-West Brom star Matheus Pereira.
Brazilian Pereira, 26, left the Baggies to join Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal last year.
1
Leicester and Everton are both interested in former West Brom ace Matheus PereiraCredit: PAHe scored 11 goals and provided six assists for West Brom in 33 Premier League matches before moving to the Middle East.
But the attacking midfielder is now keen to return to top-level football and would be open to a transfer in the final week of the window.
Leicester were interested in Arsenal wideman Nicolas Pepe until he made a loan move to Nice. Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers wants to add to his attacking options before Thursday’s deadline.
The Foxes have only managed to sign one player this summer - in the form of goalkeeper Alex Smithies who they snagged on a free transfer.
And Leicester plan to use the £70million lump sum their set to receive for Chelsea-bound Wesley Fofana to strengthen their squad ahead of the looming transfer deadline.
Everton also want to reinforce their forward line and are aware of Pereira’s availability.
It's been a busy transfer window in contrast for the Toffees who have made six signings this summer.
The Sun
LEICESTER and Everton are weighing up a late move for ex-West Brom star Matheus Pereira.
Brazilian Pereira, 26, left the Baggies to join Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal last year.
1
Leicester and Everton are both interested in former West Brom ace Matheus PereiraCredit: PAHe scored 11 goals and provided six assists for West Brom in 33 Premier League matches before moving to the Middle East.
But the attacking midfielder is now keen to return to top-level football and would be open to a transfer in the final week of the window.
Leicester were interested in Arsenal wideman Nicolas Pepe until he made a loan move to Nice. Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers wants to add to his attacking options before Thursday’s deadline.
The Foxes have only managed to sign one player this summer - in the form of goalkeeper Alex Smithies who they snagged on a free transfer.
And Leicester plan to use the £70million lump sum their set to receive for Chelsea-bound Wesley Fofana to strengthen their squad ahead of the looming transfer deadline.
Everton also want to reinforce their forward line and are aware of Pereira’s availability.
It's been a busy transfer window in contrast for the Toffees who have made six signings this summer.
The Sun
Wesley Fofana set for Chelsea medical ahead of £70m Leicester City transfer
Wesley Fofana is reportedly set to undergo a medical at Chelsea today (Sunday) ahead of his big-money move from Leicester City.
Fofana was absent from the Leicester team once again on Saturday as Brendan Rodgers' side were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. That came after widespread reports on Friday evening that a fee of £70million plus add-ons been agreed between the two clubs.
The French defender effectively confirmed the impending transfer when responding to a comment from City legend Gary Lineker on Twitter. However, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers and Chelsea counterpart Thomas Tuchel were remaining tight-lipped on the details of the deal in their latest post-match interviews.
But transfer expert Fabrizio Romano took to Twitter to provide an update on Sunday morning. He posted: "Wesley Fofana medical as new Chelsea player has been scheduled today, as expected - the main part will be completed in the next hours, contracts will be signed also on player side right after.
"Chelsea and Leicester agreed fee since Friday - here we go confirmed."
Asked about Fofana after the Chelsea game, Rodgers said: “I don’t have anything in all honesty. If there is anything, the club will announce that.
“The club always has options (for replacements). At this late stage, it can be difficult, but for any players that move on, there are always options there to come in.
“It’s the same with any player. For me, if they decide they want to move, and if they see their future elsewhere, it’s always better to have it done as quickly as you can because you have to prepare a group of players and maybe have to replace that player.
“It’s only normal. Every coach would tell you the same. It doesn’t benefit anyone if it drags on. We’ll see what happens over the weekend.
“There’s no doubt that when the window shuts, everything calms down. It’s been a challenging window for us, there’s no doubt. We’ve been unable to add and there’s been speculation around a number of our top players.
“There’s no doubt that's been difficult. It will shut on Thursday and we can all move on. Everything will become calm again.”
Leicestershire Live
Wesley Fofana is reportedly set to undergo a medical at Chelsea today (Sunday) ahead of his big-money move from Leicester City.
Fofana was absent from the Leicester team once again on Saturday as Brendan Rodgers' side were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. That came after widespread reports on Friday evening that a fee of £70million plus add-ons been agreed between the two clubs.
The French defender effectively confirmed the impending transfer when responding to a comment from City legend Gary Lineker on Twitter. However, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers and Chelsea counterpart Thomas Tuchel were remaining tight-lipped on the details of the deal in their latest post-match interviews.
But transfer expert Fabrizio Romano took to Twitter to provide an update on Sunday morning. He posted: "Wesley Fofana medical as new Chelsea player has been scheduled today, as expected - the main part will be completed in the next hours, contracts will be signed also on player side right after.
"Chelsea and Leicester agreed fee since Friday - here we go confirmed."
Asked about Fofana after the Chelsea game, Rodgers said: “I don’t have anything in all honesty. If there is anything, the club will announce that.
“The club always has options (for replacements). At this late stage, it can be difficult, but for any players that move on, there are always options there to come in.
“It’s the same with any player. For me, if they decide they want to move, and if they see their future elsewhere, it’s always better to have it done as quickly as you can because you have to prepare a group of players and maybe have to replace that player.
“It’s only normal. Every coach would tell you the same. It doesn’t benefit anyone if it drags on. We’ll see what happens over the weekend.
“There’s no doubt that when the window shuts, everything calms down. It’s been a challenging window for us, there’s no doubt. We’ve been unable to add and there’s been speculation around a number of our top players.
“There’s no doubt that's been difficult. It will shut on Thursday and we can all move on. Everything will become calm again.”
Leicestershire Live
Chelsea 2-1 Leicester City
Sterling scores priceless brace for ten-man Blues
Raheem Sterling scored a valuable second-half brace in a narrow 2-1 win against Leicester City, handing Chelsea a third win from their last four Premier League (PL) H2Hs.
Chelsea exuded confidence from the outset, knowing well that only a victory could lift them into the top half of the table. Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward was first forced into a superb point-blank save by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, before the versatile midfielder’s penalty appeal was turned down for offside in the build-up play following a VAR review.
The game then unexpectedly turned on its head midway through the half. Conor Gallagher was shown two yellow cards in the space of five minutes, with his second arriving on the back of a cynical challenge on Harvey Barnes.
As one of the five PL sides yet to win a match so far this season, the Foxes came close to conceding the opener following Reece James’ thunderous rebound strike that rattled the crossbar. Chances came far and few between for Leicester, who despite being a man up, could rarely carve out a clear-cut opportunity before the break.
Brendan Rodgers’ men were made to regret their missed chances immediately after the restart. An edge-of-the-box shot by Sterling saw the ball go in via a wicked deflection, as the former Manchester City man celebrated his first Blues goal.
He almost doubled his tally minutes later, but a fantastic toe-poke save by Ward temporarily denied Sterling another moment of glory. The enigmatic forward didn’t have to wait long for his second though, getting on the end of an exquisite cross to convert just after the hour mark.
However, in the blink of an eye, Chelsea’s buffer was halved in the 67th minute, when Barnes picked up a ball on the left wing and displayed brilliant composure to fire a superb finish past Edouard Mendy.
Jamie Vardy tested the Blues backline time and again, but Mendy’s heroics coupled with Leicester’s own shortcomings meant the Foxes couldn’t find the equaliser, adding more frustration as they remain winless this term. Meanwhile, a spirited performance by Chelsea means they are now unbeaten in five successive home games.
Man of the Match: Raheem Sterling (Chelsea FC)
Flashscore.co.uk
Sterling scores priceless brace for ten-man Blues
Raheem Sterling scored a valuable second-half brace in a narrow 2-1 win against Leicester City, handing Chelsea a third win from their last four Premier League (PL) H2Hs.
Chelsea exuded confidence from the outset, knowing well that only a victory could lift them into the top half of the table. Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward was first forced into a superb point-blank save by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, before the versatile midfielder’s penalty appeal was turned down for offside in the build-up play following a VAR review.
The game then unexpectedly turned on its head midway through the half. Conor Gallagher was shown two yellow cards in the space of five minutes, with his second arriving on the back of a cynical challenge on Harvey Barnes.
As one of the five PL sides yet to win a match so far this season, the Foxes came close to conceding the opener following Reece James’ thunderous rebound strike that rattled the crossbar. Chances came far and few between for Leicester, who despite being a man up, could rarely carve out a clear-cut opportunity before the break.
Brendan Rodgers’ men were made to regret their missed chances immediately after the restart. An edge-of-the-box shot by Sterling saw the ball go in via a wicked deflection, as the former Manchester City man celebrated his first Blues goal.
He almost doubled his tally minutes later, but a fantastic toe-poke save by Ward temporarily denied Sterling another moment of glory. The enigmatic forward didn’t have to wait long for his second though, getting on the end of an exquisite cross to convert just after the hour mark.
However, in the blink of an eye, Chelsea’s buffer was halved in the 67th minute, when Barnes picked up a ball on the left wing and displayed brilliant composure to fire a superb finish past Edouard Mendy.
Jamie Vardy tested the Blues backline time and again, but Mendy’s heroics coupled with Leicester’s own shortcomings meant the Foxes couldn’t find the equaliser, adding more frustration as they remain winless this term. Meanwhile, a spirited performance by Chelsea means they are now unbeaten in five successive home games.
Man of the Match: Raheem Sterling (Chelsea FC)
Flashscore.co.uk
Wesley Fofana to Chelsea: Leicester City 'agree' transfer fee, replacement, and who said what
Chelsea are understood to be closing in on the signing of Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana.
The clubs have been in protracted negotiations for the centre-half, who has been a long-term target of the Blues. And there was reportedly a breakthrough in those talks on Friday evening. It has been reported that Leicester and Chelsea have agreed an initial fee of £70million for Fofana, plus add-ons which could take the deal close to or above the £80m for which City sold Harry Maguire to Manchester United in 2019 - a world record for a defender.
The 21-year-old Frenchman has made 52 appearances for Leicester since joining from St Etienne in October 2020. He did not feature against Southampton last weekend due to the speculation over his future.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said on Saturday morning that "Chelsea are preparing documents to complete Wesley Fofana deal during the weekend". He added: "Wesley will sign until June 2028, waiting for paperwork and final details. He only wanted Chelsea move - and the deal is finally set to be completed."
Romano then added an update shortly afterwards, saying: "Wesley Fofana to Chelsea, here we go! Documents are almost ready as Leicester and Chelsea reached an agreement on the fee on Friday, confirmed. "Fofana will sign until June 2028 as new Chelsea player. Fee around £75m [add-ons included]. Time to prepare documents now."
What Brendan Rodgers has said
"In terms of Wesley, just a young player who is not quite in the right frame of mind at the moment to play," City boss Rodgers said after the 2-1 loss to Southampton. “A lot going on behind the scenes, which I understand. It's a difficult moment for him.
"He's a good kid, he's been great for us whilst he's been here and at this moment it's a difficult one for him. You can't afford that, certainly playing a Premier League game if you're not 100 per cent fully focused.
"He won’t be available for the weekend (against Chelsea on Saturday). He has trained with our Under-21 squad.
“For me, it’s always about the commitment and when the players are ready to commit to the ethos of the team. If they’re not in the right frame of mind, we have to move on. The window will shut and then things will become clearer.”
What Thomas Tuchel has said
Asked about Fofana training with City’s Under-21s, Chelsea boss Tuchel replied: “It’s your job to read into that. It’s not our player. It’s their decision and where it has to stay.”
On transfers, Tuchel added: “We have some ideas but maybe nobody comes in. It’s not a long window anymore, it closes soon.
“The focus is on the things we can influence. Everybody else is not our decision. No matter what we want, there are always several parties involved that have to agree.”
What Fofana has said
Fofana took to social media on Friday to highlight that an Instagram story under his name claiming all that he wants to do is leave is "fake".
The Instagram story in question read: "All I wanna do is leave Leicester and join Chelsea," followed by three crying emojis. On his official account on the platform, the player reposted the image above the phrase "is fake" and a red cross emoji.
Fofana expanded further on Twitter in a post translated from the defender's native tongue. "Ah now it invents Instagram stories with my name," the tweet reads and is signed off by a trio of crying laughing emojis and another three face palm emojis.
Fofana replacement
Borussia Dortmund centre-back Manuel Akanji has been named as a target for City as they look to replace Fofana, writes Jordan Blackwell. Anybody coming into the club would likely be a new partner for Jonny Evans in the centre of defence, a spot occupied by Daniel Amartey while Fofana has been left out of the first team.
The Switzerland international’s contract with Dortmund expires next summer, and varying reports say his price-tag will be somewhere between £13m and £17m. He was a regular in Dortmund’s back-line for four years, but has fallen down the pecking order this summer after the Bundesliga club signed Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck.
Another centre-back who has been linked is Atalanta’s Merih Demiral. City have long chased the Turkey international and bid for him when he was with Juventus, in January 2020.
Chelsea are understood to be closing in on the signing of Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana.
The clubs have been in protracted negotiations for the centre-half, who has been a long-term target of the Blues. And there was reportedly a breakthrough in those talks on Friday evening. It has been reported that Leicester and Chelsea have agreed an initial fee of £70million for Fofana, plus add-ons which could take the deal close to or above the £80m for which City sold Harry Maguire to Manchester United in 2019 - a world record for a defender.
The 21-year-old Frenchman has made 52 appearances for Leicester since joining from St Etienne in October 2020. He did not feature against Southampton last weekend due to the speculation over his future.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said on Saturday morning that "Chelsea are preparing documents to complete Wesley Fofana deal during the weekend". He added: "Wesley will sign until June 2028, waiting for paperwork and final details. He only wanted Chelsea move - and the deal is finally set to be completed."
Romano then added an update shortly afterwards, saying: "Wesley Fofana to Chelsea, here we go! Documents are almost ready as Leicester and Chelsea reached an agreement on the fee on Friday, confirmed. "Fofana will sign until June 2028 as new Chelsea player. Fee around £75m [add-ons included]. Time to prepare documents now."
What Brendan Rodgers has said
"In terms of Wesley, just a young player who is not quite in the right frame of mind at the moment to play," City boss Rodgers said after the 2-1 loss to Southampton. “A lot going on behind the scenes, which I understand. It's a difficult moment for him.
"He's a good kid, he's been great for us whilst he's been here and at this moment it's a difficult one for him. You can't afford that, certainly playing a Premier League game if you're not 100 per cent fully focused.
"He won’t be available for the weekend (against Chelsea on Saturday). He has trained with our Under-21 squad.
“For me, it’s always about the commitment and when the players are ready to commit to the ethos of the team. If they’re not in the right frame of mind, we have to move on. The window will shut and then things will become clearer.”
What Thomas Tuchel has said
Asked about Fofana training with City’s Under-21s, Chelsea boss Tuchel replied: “It’s your job to read into that. It’s not our player. It’s their decision and where it has to stay.”
On transfers, Tuchel added: “We have some ideas but maybe nobody comes in. It’s not a long window anymore, it closes soon.
“The focus is on the things we can influence. Everybody else is not our decision. No matter what we want, there are always several parties involved that have to agree.”
What Fofana has said
Fofana took to social media on Friday to highlight that an Instagram story under his name claiming all that he wants to do is leave is "fake".
The Instagram story in question read: "All I wanna do is leave Leicester and join Chelsea," followed by three crying emojis. On his official account on the platform, the player reposted the image above the phrase "is fake" and a red cross emoji.
Fofana expanded further on Twitter in a post translated from the defender's native tongue. "Ah now it invents Instagram stories with my name," the tweet reads and is signed off by a trio of crying laughing emojis and another three face palm emojis.
Fofana replacement
Borussia Dortmund centre-back Manuel Akanji has been named as a target for City as they look to replace Fofana, writes Jordan Blackwell. Anybody coming into the club would likely be a new partner for Jonny Evans in the centre of defence, a spot occupied by Daniel Amartey while Fofana has been left out of the first team.
The Switzerland international’s contract with Dortmund expires next summer, and varying reports say his price-tag will be somewhere between £13m and £17m. He was a regular in Dortmund’s back-line for four years, but has fallen down the pecking order this summer after the Bundesliga club signed Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck.
Another centre-back who has been linked is Atalanta’s Merih Demiral. City have long chased the Turkey international and bid for him when he was with Juventus, in January 2020.
STOCKPORT COUNTY 0-0 LEICESTER CITY
Carabao Cup 2nd Round Leicester City through 3-1 on Penalties
Leicester City goalkeeper Daniel Iversen saved three penalties on his debut for the Premier League club to earn the Foxes a Carabao Cup shootout win against League Two Stockport.
Iversen was the hero as the Foxes prevailed 3-1 in a chaotic shootout, in which James Maddison and Ayoze Perez missed for the Foxes.
The keeper also crucially denied Callum Camps in normal time, which ended 0-0.
Despite victory, Leicester are still yet to win in 90 minutes this season.
Danish goalkeeper Iversen, 25, had to wait six years to make his first-team bow for the Foxes, but ensured it would be one that would live long in the memory as a much-changed Leicester were pushed to the brink by a side 69 places below them in the English football pyramid.
Leicester controlled 78% possession and took 26 shots - of which eight were on target - with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall having a chance cleared off the line and Youri Tielemans shooting wide late on.
Harvey Barnes was the only Foxes player that started in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Southampton to maintain his place for the midweek cup tie with fourth-tier Stockport.
Leicester were still strong, however, with Tielemans and Kelechi Iheanacho starting after both came on as substitutes at the weekend, while Maddison dropped to the bench having scored the opener against Saints.
But again there was no sight of Wesley Fofana.
The 21-year-old centre-back was left out against Saints amid ongoing Chelsea interest which saw the Foxes turn down a third bid - believed to be between £60m and £70m - in the build-up to Tuesday's trip to Edgeley Park.
Last season's National League champions Stockport, who themselves made six changes, were put under immense first-half pressure, but possession did not translate into any meaningful chances for Brendan Rodgers' top-flight side.
It took a diving save from Iversen to stop the packed crowd of 10,301 at Edgeley Park from celebrating the Hatters' first home EFL Cup goal for 15 years, with an opener that would have been completely against the run of play.
And while Leicester pressed relentlessly for a winner in normal time, Stockport held on to take the game to penalties only for Iversen to foil them in the shootout before Dewsbury-Hall eventually sealed Leicester's place in the third round.
BBC Sport
Carabao Cup 2nd Round Leicester City through 3-1 on Penalties
Leicester City goalkeeper Daniel Iversen saved three penalties on his debut for the Premier League club to earn the Foxes a Carabao Cup shootout win against League Two Stockport.
Iversen was the hero as the Foxes prevailed 3-1 in a chaotic shootout, in which James Maddison and Ayoze Perez missed for the Foxes.
The keeper also crucially denied Callum Camps in normal time, which ended 0-0.
Despite victory, Leicester are still yet to win in 90 minutes this season.
Danish goalkeeper Iversen, 25, had to wait six years to make his first-team bow for the Foxes, but ensured it would be one that would live long in the memory as a much-changed Leicester were pushed to the brink by a side 69 places below them in the English football pyramid.
Leicester controlled 78% possession and took 26 shots - of which eight were on target - with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall having a chance cleared off the line and Youri Tielemans shooting wide late on.
Harvey Barnes was the only Foxes player that started in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Southampton to maintain his place for the midweek cup tie with fourth-tier Stockport.
Leicester were still strong, however, with Tielemans and Kelechi Iheanacho starting after both came on as substitutes at the weekend, while Maddison dropped to the bench having scored the opener against Saints.
But again there was no sight of Wesley Fofana.
The 21-year-old centre-back was left out against Saints amid ongoing Chelsea interest which saw the Foxes turn down a third bid - believed to be between £60m and £70m - in the build-up to Tuesday's trip to Edgeley Park.
Last season's National League champions Stockport, who themselves made six changes, were put under immense first-half pressure, but possession did not translate into any meaningful chances for Brendan Rodgers' top-flight side.
It took a diving save from Iversen to stop the packed crowd of 10,301 at Edgeley Park from celebrating the Hatters' first home EFL Cup goal for 15 years, with an opener that would have been completely against the run of play.
And while Leicester pressed relentlessly for a winner in normal time, Stockport held on to take the game to penalties only for Iversen to foil them in the shootout before Dewsbury-Hall eventually sealed Leicester's place in the third round.
BBC Sport
Chelsea’s improved offer for Wesley Fofana rejected by Leicester
Leicester City have rejected an improved offer from Chelsea for defender Wesley Fofana, The Athletic understands.
The latest proposal is thought to have been conveyed this week but was turned down immediately by Leicester.
It is believed Chelsea’s offers have been highly conditional, so the total achievable price is not necessarily what Leicester would have realistically received.
It is thought Chelsea are currently unwilling to go higher than £70million including add-ons. If that is the case then Leicester, who are said to be seeking a fee in excess of the £80million they received from Manchester United for Harry Maguire in 2019, will need to decide whether to compromise.
At present there is no discussion about players going in the opposite direction.
Chelsea had previously made two offers for the French defender but both fell below Leicester’s valuation.
Fofana was left out of Leicester’s squad by Brendan Rodgers for the 2-1 defeat by Southampton on Saturday after he asked not to play.
Rodgers said prior to the match that Fofana had been left out because he was not “in the right frame of mind” to join his team mates.
“I mentioned in the week about coming into a Premier League game and maybe one or two players not being in the right frame of mind, you can’t carry them and certainly we can’t,” Rodgers told NBC.
“So that’s the reason for the change.”
Fofana has played 37 Premier League matches since signing for Leicester from French side Saint-Etienne for £36.5million.
The defender impressed during his first season at the King Power Stadium but his 2021-22 campaign was curtailed by a broken leg sustained in a pre-season friendly against Villarreal.
The Athletic
Leicester City have rejected an improved offer from Chelsea for defender Wesley Fofana, The Athletic understands.
The latest proposal is thought to have been conveyed this week but was turned down immediately by Leicester.
It is believed Chelsea’s offers have been highly conditional, so the total achievable price is not necessarily what Leicester would have realistically received.
It is thought Chelsea are currently unwilling to go higher than £70million including add-ons. If that is the case then Leicester, who are said to be seeking a fee in excess of the £80million they received from Manchester United for Harry Maguire in 2019, will need to decide whether to compromise.
At present there is no discussion about players going in the opposite direction.
Chelsea had previously made two offers for the French defender but both fell below Leicester’s valuation.
Fofana was left out of Leicester’s squad by Brendan Rodgers for the 2-1 defeat by Southampton on Saturday after he asked not to play.
Rodgers said prior to the match that Fofana had been left out because he was not “in the right frame of mind” to join his team mates.
“I mentioned in the week about coming into a Premier League game and maybe one or two players not being in the right frame of mind, you can’t carry them and certainly we can’t,” Rodgers told NBC.
“So that’s the reason for the change.”
Fofana has played 37 Premier League matches since signing for Leicester from French side Saint-Etienne for £36.5million.
The defender impressed during his first season at the King Power Stadium but his 2021-22 campaign was curtailed by a broken leg sustained in a pre-season friendly against Villarreal.
The Athletic
Pochettino favourite if Rodgers is sacked, Dyche, Solskjaer and Benitez included
MAURICIO POCHETTINO is favourite to be appointed Leicester City's next manager.
That's according to bookmakers Betfair, who've created a 'next manager' market after claims Brendan Rodgers will leave his position.
1
Mauricio Pochettino is favourite for the Leicester job, according to Betfair. Pressure is mounting on the Northern Irishman after another defeat over the weekend.
The Foxes succumbed to a second successive loss on Saturday when falling 2-1 to previously winless Southampton at the King Power Stadium. Leicester conjured up just a single effort on target, and that was James Maddison's fantastic 54th-minute free-kick. The result follows a 2-2 draw with Brentford and a 4-2 defeat against Arsenal to leave the club in 18th position.
Rodgers and supporters are clearly becoming increasingly frustrated with the club's lack of transfer activity. Only Alex Smithies, a third-choice goalkeeper, has joined the club while there's talk of Wesley Fofana, James Maddison and Youri Tielemans leaving. The 49-year-old has three years remaining on his contract, which expires in June 2025.
Leicester next manager Betfair offer
But he's now ODDS-ON favourite to be the first Premier League manager of the 2022-23 campaign to leave his post. Pochettino is the early frontrunner at 3/1.
The former Southampton and Tottenham boss is a free agent having been axed by Paris Saint-Germain in June -- just weeks after regaining the French title.
Another free agent in Sean Dyche follows next at 5/1.
Dyche managed 425 games with Burnley between 2012 and 2022, and could help solve the club's defensive frailties on a reduced budget.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rafa Benitez are the only other names on the market, priced at 8/1 and 20/1 respectively.
The Sun
MAURICIO POCHETTINO is favourite to be appointed Leicester City's next manager.
That's according to bookmakers Betfair, who've created a 'next manager' market after claims Brendan Rodgers will leave his position.
1
Mauricio Pochettino is favourite for the Leicester job, according to Betfair. Pressure is mounting on the Northern Irishman after another defeat over the weekend.
The Foxes succumbed to a second successive loss on Saturday when falling 2-1 to previously winless Southampton at the King Power Stadium. Leicester conjured up just a single effort on target, and that was James Maddison's fantastic 54th-minute free-kick. The result follows a 2-2 draw with Brentford and a 4-2 defeat against Arsenal to leave the club in 18th position.
Rodgers and supporters are clearly becoming increasingly frustrated with the club's lack of transfer activity. Only Alex Smithies, a third-choice goalkeeper, has joined the club while there's talk of Wesley Fofana, James Maddison and Youri Tielemans leaving. The 49-year-old has three years remaining on his contract, which expires in June 2025.
Leicester next manager Betfair offer
- Mauricio Pochettino - 3/1
- Sean Dyche - 5/1
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - 8/1
- Rafa Benitez - 20/1
But he's now ODDS-ON favourite to be the first Premier League manager of the 2022-23 campaign to leave his post. Pochettino is the early frontrunner at 3/1.
The former Southampton and Tottenham boss is a free agent having been axed by Paris Saint-Germain in June -- just weeks after regaining the French title.
Another free agent in Sean Dyche follows next at 5/1.
Dyche managed 425 games with Burnley between 2012 and 2022, and could help solve the club's defensive frailties on a reduced budget.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rafa Benitez are the only other names on the market, priced at 8/1 and 20/1 respectively.
The Sun
Premier League next manager sacked: Rodgers favourite after going ODDS ON overnight, Ten Hag, Gerrard and Lampard follow
BRENDAN RODGERS is favourite to be the FIRST Premier League manager of the 2022-23 season to leave his position.
That's according to bookmakers Sky Bet, who've delivered a colossal price change on the Leicester manager leaving the King Power Stadium.
Rodgers, 49, was available at 15/2 heading into the weekend's action.But he's now the 1/2 favourite to be AXED ahead of Everton's Frank Lampard, Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard and Ralph Hasenhuttl of Southampton. The Foxes are 18th in the table having collected just one point from their opening three fixtures.
Leicester blew a two-goal lead at home to Brentford on the opening weekend of the season, before being hammered 4-2 at Arsenal. They lost again on Saturday when conceding TWICE in 16 minutes against the previously winless Southampton.
And now have a daunting run of games against Chelsea, Manchester United, Brighton, Aston Villa and Tottenham. Rodgers and supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated with the club's lack of transfer activity.
First Premier League manager to leaveSky Bet odds
Only Alex Smithies, a third-choice goalkeeper, has joined the club while there's talk of Wesley Fofana, James Maddison and Youri Tielemans leaving. The Northern Irishman has three years remaining on his contract, which expires in June 2025. But Sky Bet think his departure could be a lot sooner.
Elsewhere Frank Lampard is offered at 11/2. Everton grabbed their first point of the campaign against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and the majority of supporters are behind him. Ralph Hasenhuttl is priced at 13/2, ahead of Steven Gerrard (6/1) and Manchester United's Erik ten Hag at 13/2.
The Dutchman was 20/1 a few weeks ago, but two successive defeats have seen his price shrink considerably ahead of tonight's bout against Liverpool.
The Sun
BRENDAN RODGERS is favourite to be the FIRST Premier League manager of the 2022-23 season to leave his position.
That's according to bookmakers Sky Bet, who've delivered a colossal price change on the Leicester manager leaving the King Power Stadium.
Rodgers, 49, was available at 15/2 heading into the weekend's action.But he's now the 1/2 favourite to be AXED ahead of Everton's Frank Lampard, Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard and Ralph Hasenhuttl of Southampton. The Foxes are 18th in the table having collected just one point from their opening three fixtures.
Leicester blew a two-goal lead at home to Brentford on the opening weekend of the season, before being hammered 4-2 at Arsenal. They lost again on Saturday when conceding TWICE in 16 minutes against the previously winless Southampton.
And now have a daunting run of games against Chelsea, Manchester United, Brighton, Aston Villa and Tottenham. Rodgers and supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated with the club's lack of transfer activity.
First Premier League manager to leaveSky Bet odds
- Brendan Rodgers - 1/2
- Frank Lampard - 11/2
- Steven Gerrard - 6/1
- Ralph Hasenhuttl - 13/2
- Erik ten Hag - 8/1
- Bruno Lage - 14/1
- Scott Parker - 14/1
- David Moyes - 16/1
- Jesse Marsch - 20/1
- Steve Cooper - 20/1
Only Alex Smithies, a third-choice goalkeeper, has joined the club while there's talk of Wesley Fofana, James Maddison and Youri Tielemans leaving. The Northern Irishman has three years remaining on his contract, which expires in June 2025. But Sky Bet think his departure could be a lot sooner.
Elsewhere Frank Lampard is offered at 11/2. Everton grabbed their first point of the campaign against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and the majority of supporters are behind him. Ralph Hasenhuttl is priced at 13/2, ahead of Steven Gerrard (6/1) and Manchester United's Erik ten Hag at 13/2.
The Dutchman was 20/1 a few weeks ago, but two successive defeats have seen his price shrink considerably ahead of tonight's bout against Liverpool.
The Sun
Leicester City 1-2 Southampton
Spirited Saints outfox luckless Leicester
Southampton recorded their first Premier League (PL) away victory since February as they impressively defeated Leicester City 2-1 at the King Power Stadium, inflicting just a second home loss in 11 league matches for the hosts.
Having picked up just a single point from their opening two league matches, the hosts looked like a side with a point to prove in the opening exchanges. Jamie Vardy, fresh from signing a new contract with the Foxes, stretched the Southampton backline at every opportunity, as Ayoze Pérez wasted the best chance of the opening half-hour, failing to connect properly from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s inviting delivery.
Despite their bright start, Leicester became somewhat subdued as HT approached, with clear-cut chances at a premium and Southampton defending in numbers. James Maddison saw a floated free-kick comfortably palmed away by Gavin Bazunu and the lively Harvey Barnes dragged an angled effort wide of the far post, as the two sides went into the interval level.
Similarly to the first half, Leicester dominated proceedings at the start of the second and deservedly found the breakthrough in the 54th minute through a moment of brilliance from Maddison. The influential midfielder whipped a free-kick superbly around the wall and into the bottom corner, this time beyond the despairing dive of Bazunu.
Having fought back to claim a 2-2 draw against Leeds United last time out, manager Ralph Hasenhüttl described his side’s recovery as “phenomenal”. The Saints, faced with another deficit, responded well to Maddison’s opener, and levelled the score with 22 minutes remaining as Ché Adams’ low strike was diverted into the net via an unfortunate touch from James Justin.
With less than 15 minutes on the clock, both sides went in search of a decisive goal, and Southampton found it when James Ward Prowse’s cross was acrobatically fired home by Adams, much to the delight of the travelling faithful. Leicester, stunned by Southampton’s fightback, tried to compose themselves for one final push, but the Saints’ rearguard held firm for a vital three points.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ché Adams (Southampton)
flashscore.co.uk
Spirited Saints outfox luckless Leicester
Southampton recorded their first Premier League (PL) away victory since February as they impressively defeated Leicester City 2-1 at the King Power Stadium, inflicting just a second home loss in 11 league matches for the hosts.
Having picked up just a single point from their opening two league matches, the hosts looked like a side with a point to prove in the opening exchanges. Jamie Vardy, fresh from signing a new contract with the Foxes, stretched the Southampton backline at every opportunity, as Ayoze Pérez wasted the best chance of the opening half-hour, failing to connect properly from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s inviting delivery.
Despite their bright start, Leicester became somewhat subdued as HT approached, with clear-cut chances at a premium and Southampton defending in numbers. James Maddison saw a floated free-kick comfortably palmed away by Gavin Bazunu and the lively Harvey Barnes dragged an angled effort wide of the far post, as the two sides went into the interval level.
Similarly to the first half, Leicester dominated proceedings at the start of the second and deservedly found the breakthrough in the 54th minute through a moment of brilliance from Maddison. The influential midfielder whipped a free-kick superbly around the wall and into the bottom corner, this time beyond the despairing dive of Bazunu.
Having fought back to claim a 2-2 draw against Leeds United last time out, manager Ralph Hasenhüttl described his side’s recovery as “phenomenal”. The Saints, faced with another deficit, responded well to Maddison’s opener, and levelled the score with 22 minutes remaining as Ché Adams’ low strike was diverted into the net via an unfortunate touch from James Justin.
With less than 15 minutes on the clock, both sides went in search of a decisive goal, and Southampton found it when James Ward Prowse’s cross was acrobatically fired home by Adams, much to the delight of the travelling faithful. Leicester, stunned by Southampton’s fightback, tried to compose themselves for one final push, but the Saints’ rearguard held firm for a vital three points.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ché Adams (Southampton)
flashscore.co.uk
Jamie Vardy Extends Leicester City Contract
Leicester City Football Club is delighted to confirm that Jamie Vardy has agreed a contract extension with the Foxes to June 2024.
- Striker Jamie Vardy signs contract extension with Leicester City to 2024
- The 35-year-old celebrated 10 years at the Club in May
- He is the Foxes’ third highest scorer of all time with 164 goals
The 35-year-old, who signed from then non-league side Fleetwood Town in 2012, has made 387 appearances for City in all competitions and is third on the Club’s all-time leading goalscorer list with 164 goals.
He has won the Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield and Championship titles with the Foxes and celebrated an impressive decade at the Club in May this year.
Speaking to LCFC TV, Vardy said: “I’m obviously over the moon. Once I heard it was something the Club was looking at, there was only one thing that was going to happen, and I was going to sign it. The decision was easy.
“I’ve been here long enough now that I feel like part of the furniture. I think you can see with the way we’re trying to play, the way the Club’s wanting to go, that it’s going to be onwards and upwards.
I’m obviously over the moon. Once I heard it was something the Club was looking at, there was only one thing that was going to happen, and I was going to sign it. The decision was easy.
“To carry on being involved with that, I was over the moon. Now it’s all about this season and finishing as high as we can. My legs are still feeling great so I’ll carry that on helping the Club as much as I can, whether that’s scoring or assisting, that’s what I’m here to do.”
Since signing for Leicester City from then non-league side Fleetwood Town in 2012, Vardy has gone on to establish himself as one of the leading strikers in world football.
He was a key figure in the Club’s promotion to the top-flight in 2013/14, finding the net on 16 occasions, and played a vital role in the historic escape from relegation upon City’s return to the Premier League in 2014/15.
During our title-winning season the following campaign, Vardy scored 24 times in all competitions, including in 11 consecutive Premier League games, breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of 10 with a brilliant finish against Manchester United at King Power Stadium in November 2015.
In 2016/17, the forward’s crucial away goal against Seville in the last-16 of an incredible run in the UEFA Champions League secured City a place in the last eight of the competition, where they were the last-remaining English representative.
His remarkable form in front of goal continued in the seasons that followed, and in 2019/20 he became the oldest winner of the Premier League Golden Boot, netting 23 goals, including reaching his century of Premier League strikes against Crystal Palace in July 2020.
In 2020/21, Vardy continued to be a mainstay in the team that won the Emirates FA Cup for the first time in the Club’s history, featuring for the Foxes 42 times in all competitions and finding the net on 17 occasions. He added a further 17 goals in just 33 appearances last term as City won the Community Shield and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
He made his senior England debut in June 2015 in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland, and won 26 caps for his country, scoring seven goals and representing the Three Lions at UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
LCFC.COM
Leicester City Football Club is delighted to confirm that Jamie Vardy has agreed a contract extension with the Foxes to June 2024.
- Striker Jamie Vardy signs contract extension with Leicester City to 2024
- The 35-year-old celebrated 10 years at the Club in May
- He is the Foxes’ third highest scorer of all time with 164 goals
The 35-year-old, who signed from then non-league side Fleetwood Town in 2012, has made 387 appearances for City in all competitions and is third on the Club’s all-time leading goalscorer list with 164 goals.
He has won the Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield and Championship titles with the Foxes and celebrated an impressive decade at the Club in May this year.
Speaking to LCFC TV, Vardy said: “I’m obviously over the moon. Once I heard it was something the Club was looking at, there was only one thing that was going to happen, and I was going to sign it. The decision was easy.
“I’ve been here long enough now that I feel like part of the furniture. I think you can see with the way we’re trying to play, the way the Club’s wanting to go, that it’s going to be onwards and upwards.
I’m obviously over the moon. Once I heard it was something the Club was looking at, there was only one thing that was going to happen, and I was going to sign it. The decision was easy.
“To carry on being involved with that, I was over the moon. Now it’s all about this season and finishing as high as we can. My legs are still feeling great so I’ll carry that on helping the Club as much as I can, whether that’s scoring or assisting, that’s what I’m here to do.”
Since signing for Leicester City from then non-league side Fleetwood Town in 2012, Vardy has gone on to establish himself as one of the leading strikers in world football.
He was a key figure in the Club’s promotion to the top-flight in 2013/14, finding the net on 16 occasions, and played a vital role in the historic escape from relegation upon City’s return to the Premier League in 2014/15.
During our title-winning season the following campaign, Vardy scored 24 times in all competitions, including in 11 consecutive Premier League games, breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of 10 with a brilliant finish against Manchester United at King Power Stadium in November 2015.
In 2016/17, the forward’s crucial away goal against Seville in the last-16 of an incredible run in the UEFA Champions League secured City a place in the last eight of the competition, where they were the last-remaining English representative.
His remarkable form in front of goal continued in the seasons that followed, and in 2019/20 he became the oldest winner of the Premier League Golden Boot, netting 23 goals, including reaching his century of Premier League strikes against Crystal Palace in July 2020.
In 2020/21, Vardy continued to be a mainstay in the team that won the Emirates FA Cup for the first time in the Club’s history, featuring for the Foxes 42 times in all competitions and finding the net on 17 occasions. He added a further 17 goals in just 33 appearances last term as City won the Community Shield and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
He made his senior England debut in June 2015 in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland, and won 26 caps for his country, scoring seven goals and representing the Three Lions at UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
LCFC.COM
Leicester City could sanction transfer that would give Brendan Rodgers boost
Daniel Amartey linked with a move to the Turkish side
Besiktas have reportedly placed Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey on their "list" of possible transfers.
The 27-year-old is in his final 12 months of his contract at the King Power Stadium and there remains no clear indication whether he'll extend his six-and-a-half year stay. Amartey has started in City's opening two Premier League games this season, partnering Wesley Fofana and Evans in Brendan Rodgers' defence.
Amartey is amongst a long list of senior players at the club whose contract expires next summer - alongside Jamie Vardy, Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans - and could be sold to recoup anything close to the £5million they paid FC Copenhagen in 2016 this summer.
According to journalist Serdar Saridag, the Ghana international is a potential target for Besiktas this summer over a possible move to the Super Lig. Former West Brom head coach Valerien Ismael has been busy in the transfer window so far, with Romain Saiss (Wolves), Cenk Tosun (Everton), Wout Weghorst (Burnley) and Arthur Masuaku (West Ham) all making the switch from the Premier League.
However, Besiktas are said to be in the market for another defender following the departures of Domagoj Vida and Alpay Celebi. Amartey has been named as a potential replacement to the pair to join Saiss in defence, claims Saridag.
"I think two centre-backs will be bought and there is a high chance that they will be from the Premier League," the journalist told Milliyet.
"If there are two options, I would like Amiri to come as well Besiktas is looking good and experienced names. They are waiting for the foreign limit.
"Daniel Amartey from Leicester City and Samy Mmaee from Ferencvaros are on the list. The main target was Kaan Ayhan, but it hasn't happened."
Leicestershire Live
Daniel Amartey linked with a move to the Turkish side
Besiktas have reportedly placed Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey on their "list" of possible transfers.
The 27-year-old is in his final 12 months of his contract at the King Power Stadium and there remains no clear indication whether he'll extend his six-and-a-half year stay. Amartey has started in City's opening two Premier League games this season, partnering Wesley Fofana and Evans in Brendan Rodgers' defence.
Amartey is amongst a long list of senior players at the club whose contract expires next summer - alongside Jamie Vardy, Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans - and could be sold to recoup anything close to the £5million they paid FC Copenhagen in 2016 this summer.
According to journalist Serdar Saridag, the Ghana international is a potential target for Besiktas this summer over a possible move to the Super Lig. Former West Brom head coach Valerien Ismael has been busy in the transfer window so far, with Romain Saiss (Wolves), Cenk Tosun (Everton), Wout Weghorst (Burnley) and Arthur Masuaku (West Ham) all making the switch from the Premier League.
However, Besiktas are said to be in the market for another defender following the departures of Domagoj Vida and Alpay Celebi. Amartey has been named as a potential replacement to the pair to join Saiss in defence, claims Saridag.
"I think two centre-backs will be bought and there is a high chance that they will be from the Premier League," the journalist told Milliyet.
"If there are two options, I would like Amiri to come as well Besiktas is looking good and experienced names. They are waiting for the foreign limit.
"Daniel Amartey from Leicester City and Samy Mmaee from Ferencvaros are on the list. The main target was Kaan Ayhan, but it hasn't happened."
Leicestershire Live
Fresh details of 'offensive' Newcastle transfer bids for James Maddison revealed
The latest Leicester City news as the Foxes immediately rejected the two offers for last year's player of the season earlier this summer.
More details of Newcastle United’s attempts to sign key Leicester City man James Maddison this summer have emerged, with the Magpies offering a ‘buy now, pay later’ deal.
The Magpies saw two bids quickly rejected by City for the midfielder this summer. It is reported that the first bid was worth a total of around £35 million, with the second adding a further £10 million.
City are determined to keep hold of their key players this summer, with the club having a quiet window so far in terms of incomings. They are said to value Maddison at more than £60 million
It was reported that City found the two offers from Newcastle for Maddison ‘ verging on the offensive’ as they rejected the proposals. Eddie Howe’s side now look to have moved on to other targets .
Despite having some of the richest owners in world football, Financial Fair Play restrictions mean that Newcastle have had to restrict what they are able to spend in the current window. That has led to the club offering ‘buy now, pay later’ deals to other clubs over possible transfer targets. According to the Telegraph , the deal offered by Newcastle to City for Maddison would have only seen them pay £20 million up front, making the further money up to £40 million at a later date.
The report added that it was ‘nowhere near attractive enough’ for City to even consider cashing in on one of their key players this summer. The structuring of deals is also said to be putting other clubs off dealing with Newcastle in the current window.
Maddison was named as City’s player of the season in 2021/22, scoring a career high 18 goals in all competitions, and providing a further 12 assists. He has contributed in both of City’s Premier League games so far this season, providing an assist for Timothy Castagne’s opener against Brentford, and getting his first goal of the season in last weekend’s 4-2 loss against Arsenal.
Leicestershire Live
The latest Leicester City news as the Foxes immediately rejected the two offers for last year's player of the season earlier this summer.
More details of Newcastle United’s attempts to sign key Leicester City man James Maddison this summer have emerged, with the Magpies offering a ‘buy now, pay later’ deal.
The Magpies saw two bids quickly rejected by City for the midfielder this summer. It is reported that the first bid was worth a total of around £35 million, with the second adding a further £10 million.
City are determined to keep hold of their key players this summer, with the club having a quiet window so far in terms of incomings. They are said to value Maddison at more than £60 million
It was reported that City found the two offers from Newcastle for Maddison ‘ verging on the offensive’ as they rejected the proposals. Eddie Howe’s side now look to have moved on to other targets .
Despite having some of the richest owners in world football, Financial Fair Play restrictions mean that Newcastle have had to restrict what they are able to spend in the current window. That has led to the club offering ‘buy now, pay later’ deals to other clubs over possible transfer targets. According to the Telegraph , the deal offered by Newcastle to City for Maddison would have only seen them pay £20 million up front, making the further money up to £40 million at a later date.
The report added that it was ‘nowhere near attractive enough’ for City to even consider cashing in on one of their key players this summer. The structuring of deals is also said to be putting other clubs off dealing with Newcastle in the current window.
Maddison was named as City’s player of the season in 2021/22, scoring a career high 18 goals in all competitions, and providing a further 12 assists. He has contributed in both of City’s Premier League games so far this season, providing an assist for Timothy Castagne’s opener against Brentford, and getting his first goal of the season in last weekend’s 4-2 loss against Arsenal.
Leicestershire Live
Dennis Praet breaks silence on Leicester City future after Brendan Rodgers update
Belgian midfielder is ready to fight for a place in the team at the King Power Stadium after spending last season on loan in Italy.
Real Madrid are "monitoring the situation" of Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to transfer expert Ekrem Konur.
The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, though the Gunners have not made a move. Man United have also been credited with an interest, though Real Madrid may now have entered the fray.
Tielemans' contract is due to expire next summer, with City at risk of losing him on a free next summer if he doesn't leave before the transfer deadline on September 1. It could be the case that Arsenal are waiting as late as possible to drive the price down, but they might have to move quickly with other clubs said to be interested.
Real Madrid already have impressive central midfield talent, boasting Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric among their ranks. Modric is 36, though, while both Casemiro and Kroos are in their 30s, so Tielemans would be a younger option for Los Blancos.
Tielemans has been almost ever-present for the last three-and-a-half years under Brendan Rodgers, so has experience at a high level. But Real Madrid would have to meet Leicester's valuation of the Belgian if they want him this summer. They could negotiate a pre-contract agreement with him in January, though, an advantage neither Arsenal nor Man United have.
Leicestershire Live
Belgian midfielder is ready to fight for a place in the team at the King Power Stadium after spending last season on loan in Italy.
Real Madrid are "monitoring the situation" of Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to transfer expert Ekrem Konur.
The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, though the Gunners have not made a move. Man United have also been credited with an interest, though Real Madrid may now have entered the fray.
Tielemans' contract is due to expire next summer, with City at risk of losing him on a free next summer if he doesn't leave before the transfer deadline on September 1. It could be the case that Arsenal are waiting as late as possible to drive the price down, but they might have to move quickly with other clubs said to be interested.
Real Madrid already have impressive central midfield talent, boasting Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric among their ranks. Modric is 36, though, while both Casemiro and Kroos are in their 30s, so Tielemans would be a younger option for Los Blancos.
Tielemans has been almost ever-present for the last three-and-a-half years under Brendan Rodgers, so has experience at a high level. But Real Madrid would have to meet Leicester's valuation of the Belgian if they want him this summer. They could negotiate a pre-contract agreement with him in January, though, an advantage neither Arsenal nor Man United have.
Leicestershire Live
Real Madrid 'monitor' Leicester City transfer situation
Real Madrid 'monitor the situation' of midfielder Youri Tielemans, who has been linked to Arsenal and Man Utd
Real Madrid are "monitoring the situation" of Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to transfer expert Ekrem Konur.
The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, though the Gunners have not made a move. Man United have also been credited with an interest, though Real Madrid may now have entered the fray.
Tielemans' contract is due to expire next summer, with City at risk of losing him on a free next summer if he doesn't leave before the transfer deadline on September 1. It could be the case that Arsenal are waiting as late as possible to drive the price down, but they might have to move quickly with other clubs said to be interested.
Real Madrid already have impressive central midfield talent, boasting Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric among their ranks. Modric is 36, though, while both Casemiro and Kroos are in their 30s, so Tielemans would be a younger option for Los Blancos.
Tielemans has been almost ever-present for the last three-and-a-half years under Brendan Rodgers, so has experience at a high level. But Real Madrid would have to meet Leicester's valuation of the Belgian if they want him this summer. They could negotiate a pre-contract agreement with him in January, though, an advantage neither Arsenal nor Man United have.
Leicestershire Live
Real Madrid 'monitor the situation' of midfielder Youri Tielemans, who has been linked to Arsenal and Man Utd
Real Madrid are "monitoring the situation" of Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to transfer expert Ekrem Konur.
The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, though the Gunners have not made a move. Man United have also been credited with an interest, though Real Madrid may now have entered the fray.
Tielemans' contract is due to expire next summer, with City at risk of losing him on a free next summer if he doesn't leave before the transfer deadline on September 1. It could be the case that Arsenal are waiting as late as possible to drive the price down, but they might have to move quickly with other clubs said to be interested.
Real Madrid already have impressive central midfield talent, boasting Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric among their ranks. Modric is 36, though, while both Casemiro and Kroos are in their 30s, so Tielemans would be a younger option for Los Blancos.
Tielemans has been almost ever-present for the last three-and-a-half years under Brendan Rodgers, so has experience at a high level. But Real Madrid would have to meet Leicester's valuation of the Belgian if they want him this summer. They could negotiate a pre-contract agreement with him in January, though, an advantage neither Arsenal nor Man United have.
Leicestershire Live
Leicester City contract decisions show Brendan Rodgers philosophy is very much alive
Leicester City defender Lewis Brunt has signed a new contract until the summer of 2025.
Brunt joined City last summer after being released by Aston Villa and he has already rewarded the club for putting faith in him. He made two appearances for the first team last season - a start in the FA Cup and a substitute appearance in the Premier League - and won the club's Development Squad Player of the Year award.
For the club to give a three-year deal to a development squad player who turns 22 this season shows their commitment and belief in him. The next logical step would be a loan to an EFL club, though Brendan Rodgers may want to keep him around if the barren transfer window continues.
He follows goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk, who has renewed until 2026, in penning a new deal. The goalkeeper has joined Fleetwood on a season-long loan after being hailed as "outstanding" by Rodgers. City see him as a future first-team starter.
It is understood that striker George Hirst is set to sign a new contract too and will then join a Championship club on loan. Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool are among the clubs interested.
Midfielder Jack Lewis, 17, has also signed his first professional contract after joining on scholarship terms from Liverpool last year. He will play a major part for the under-18s this season having spent much of last term playing deputy to Sammy Braybrooke and Henry Cartwright.
There have been two new additions this summer. Winger Jayden Joseph, 16, has signed scholarship forms after leaving Manchester City, while 19-year-old centre-back Paul Appiah has penned a deal after impressing on trial in pre-season.
Fellow pre-season trialist Seb Kristensen has been on trial with Burnley, while there has been no sign of Deniche Hill or Luke Badley-Morgan, two defenders the club were casting an eye over. The three Buriram United players who trained with City for a month over the summer are now back with their parent club as the Thai season is under way.
First team manager Brendan Rodgers heavily believes in development young players, having spent much of his early coaching career doing just that for Chelsea.
The faith he is playing in young players - either by handing them new contracts, sending them on loan or both - will reap rewards for the club in the future. Those coming through the ranks need look no further than Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Harvey Barnes for inspiration.
Meanwhile, three young City players new to the under-18s this year have received international call-ups this summer. Defender Liam McAlinney was called to a Republic of Ireland under-19 training camp earlier this month, while teammate Reece Evans represented Northern Ireland under-18s at a tournament last month. Chey Loureiro, younger brother of City winger Wanya Marcal-Madivadua, has been called to represent Portugal under-17s. A third brother, Gio Loureiro, is currently playing for Bolton after leaving City.
There has been a small change to the under-18 coaching staff, too, with assistant Stephen Kirby joining Leicester City Women as a first team coach. Emile Heskey has taken up a technical coaching role with the under-18s and will also retain coaching duties with the women's team.
One young City player has been hit with a major injury blow. Thai-French midfielder Thanawat Suengchitthawon has torn his anterior cruciate ligament and will miss most, if not all, of the season. His contract is due to expire next summer.
Leicestershire Live
Leicester City defender Lewis Brunt has signed a new contract until the summer of 2025.
Brunt joined City last summer after being released by Aston Villa and he has already rewarded the club for putting faith in him. He made two appearances for the first team last season - a start in the FA Cup and a substitute appearance in the Premier League - and won the club's Development Squad Player of the Year award.
For the club to give a three-year deal to a development squad player who turns 22 this season shows their commitment and belief in him. The next logical step would be a loan to an EFL club, though Brendan Rodgers may want to keep him around if the barren transfer window continues.
He follows goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk, who has renewed until 2026, in penning a new deal. The goalkeeper has joined Fleetwood on a season-long loan after being hailed as "outstanding" by Rodgers. City see him as a future first-team starter.
It is understood that striker George Hirst is set to sign a new contract too and will then join a Championship club on loan. Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool are among the clubs interested.
Midfielder Jack Lewis, 17, has also signed his first professional contract after joining on scholarship terms from Liverpool last year. He will play a major part for the under-18s this season having spent much of last term playing deputy to Sammy Braybrooke and Henry Cartwright.
There have been two new additions this summer. Winger Jayden Joseph, 16, has signed scholarship forms after leaving Manchester City, while 19-year-old centre-back Paul Appiah has penned a deal after impressing on trial in pre-season.
Fellow pre-season trialist Seb Kristensen has been on trial with Burnley, while there has been no sign of Deniche Hill or Luke Badley-Morgan, two defenders the club were casting an eye over. The three Buriram United players who trained with City for a month over the summer are now back with their parent club as the Thai season is under way.
First team manager Brendan Rodgers heavily believes in development young players, having spent much of his early coaching career doing just that for Chelsea.
The faith he is playing in young players - either by handing them new contracts, sending them on loan or both - will reap rewards for the club in the future. Those coming through the ranks need look no further than Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Harvey Barnes for inspiration.
Meanwhile, three young City players new to the under-18s this year have received international call-ups this summer. Defender Liam McAlinney was called to a Republic of Ireland under-19 training camp earlier this month, while teammate Reece Evans represented Northern Ireland under-18s at a tournament last month. Chey Loureiro, younger brother of City winger Wanya Marcal-Madivadua, has been called to represent Portugal under-17s. A third brother, Gio Loureiro, is currently playing for Bolton after leaving City.
There has been a small change to the under-18 coaching staff, too, with assistant Stephen Kirby joining Leicester City Women as a first team coach. Emile Heskey has taken up a technical coaching role with the under-18s and will also retain coaching duties with the women's team.
One young City player has been hit with a major injury blow. Thai-French midfielder Thanawat Suengchitthawon has torn his anterior cruciate ligament and will miss most, if not all, of the season. His contract is due to expire next summer.
Leicestershire Live
Wesley Fofana 'makes transfer request' as Chelsea prepare to meet huge Leicester City asking price
Wesley Fofana has reportedly told Leicester City he wants to leave the club and sign for Chelsea this summer.
City have already rejected two bids for the Frenchman from the Blues, and are said to be determined not to lose him in the final two weeks of the summer window. They have therefore set their valuation above the £80 million they received from Manchester United for Harry Maguire back in 2019, a record fee for a defender.
Reports claim Fofana is becoming ‘increasingly frustrated’ with City’s transfer stance, despite signing a new five-year contract just five months ago. He has played the full 90 minutes of City’s two Premier League games so far this season, with Brendan Rodgers playing down Fofana’s reaction to the away end after Saturday’s loss at Arsenal.
But according to the Guardian , the 21-year-old has now told Leicester of his desire to move to Stamford Bridge, even though it will still take a huge bid from Chelsea to change City’s stance.
The report adds it could take ‘at least £85 million’ to convince City to sell. Chelsea are also said to be considering if the defender is fully back up to speed after returning from a broken leg in the final part of last season, although the Guardian say sources have ‘indicated Chelsea will eventually meet Leicester’s asking price.’
Speaking ahead of the Premier League clash at Arsenal, City boss Brendan Rodgers said he believed staying at City would be better for the player’s development. He also revealed how Fofana himself was reacting to the speculation surrounding his future.
“I think another year here for him at least would be really important for his development,” Rodgers said .” Wesley is quite calm and relaxed on the situation.
“He is aware of the interest. He understands where we are as a club and where we see him. He’s just getting on with his work and training well. We’re able to have conversations.”
Leicestershire Live
Wesley Fofana has reportedly told Leicester City he wants to leave the club and sign for Chelsea this summer.
City have already rejected two bids for the Frenchman from the Blues, and are said to be determined not to lose him in the final two weeks of the summer window. They have therefore set their valuation above the £80 million they received from Manchester United for Harry Maguire back in 2019, a record fee for a defender.
Reports claim Fofana is becoming ‘increasingly frustrated’ with City’s transfer stance, despite signing a new five-year contract just five months ago. He has played the full 90 minutes of City’s two Premier League games so far this season, with Brendan Rodgers playing down Fofana’s reaction to the away end after Saturday’s loss at Arsenal.
But according to the Guardian , the 21-year-old has now told Leicester of his desire to move to Stamford Bridge, even though it will still take a huge bid from Chelsea to change City’s stance.
The report adds it could take ‘at least £85 million’ to convince City to sell. Chelsea are also said to be considering if the defender is fully back up to speed after returning from a broken leg in the final part of last season, although the Guardian say sources have ‘indicated Chelsea will eventually meet Leicester’s asking price.’
Speaking ahead of the Premier League clash at Arsenal, City boss Brendan Rodgers said he believed staying at City would be better for the player’s development. He also revealed how Fofana himself was reacting to the speculation surrounding his future.
“I think another year here for him at least would be really important for his development,” Rodgers said .” Wesley is quite calm and relaxed on the situation.
“He is aware of the interest. He understands where we are as a club and where we see him. He’s just getting on with his work and training well. We’re able to have conversations.”
Leicestershire Live
Talented Midfielder Brunt Signs New Deal
Promising young midfielder Lewis Brunt has signed a new deal with Leicester City that keeps him at the Football Club until at least 2025.
- Leicester City Development Squad midfielder Lewis Brunt pens new contract to 2025
- The 21-year-old joined Leicester City from Aston Villa in July 2021
- He made his Premier League debut for the Foxes in May
The new deal comes after a season that saw the versatile midfielder, who can also play in defence, make his debut for City’s first team in the Emirates FA Cup in January 2022.
The 21-year-old played a full 90 minutes in that game as City went on to secure a 4-1 win over Watford at King Power Stadium – something he later built on by making his Premier League bow as a substitute away to Tottenham Hotspur in May.
Brunt joined the Foxes from West Midlands side Aston Villa in July 2021 after two loan spells at National League North side Gloucester City. He went on to make 21 appearances for the Development Squad last season in Premier League 2 Division 1, scoring three goals.
The youngster was recognised for his standout displays during the 2021/22 season, scooping Development Squad Player of the Season at the Club’s annual End of Season Awards.
LCFC.COM
Promising young midfielder Lewis Brunt has signed a new deal with Leicester City that keeps him at the Football Club until at least 2025.
- Leicester City Development Squad midfielder Lewis Brunt pens new contract to 2025
- The 21-year-old joined Leicester City from Aston Villa in July 2021
- He made his Premier League debut for the Foxes in May
The new deal comes after a season that saw the versatile midfielder, who can also play in defence, make his debut for City’s first team in the Emirates FA Cup in January 2022.
The 21-year-old played a full 90 minutes in that game as City went on to secure a 4-1 win over Watford at King Power Stadium – something he later built on by making his Premier League bow as a substitute away to Tottenham Hotspur in May.
Brunt joined the Foxes from West Midlands side Aston Villa in July 2021 after two loan spells at National League North side Gloucester City. He went on to make 21 appearances for the Development Squad last season in Premier League 2 Division 1, scoring three goals.
The youngster was recognised for his standout displays during the 2021/22 season, scooping Development Squad Player of the Season at the Club’s annual End of Season Awards.
LCFC.COM
Stolarczyk Signs New Deal Ahead Of Fleetwood Loan
Talented goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk has signed a new deal with Leicester City ahead of a loan move to Fleetwood Town until the end of the 2022/23 season, subject to Football League clearance.
- Young Leicester City goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk joins Fleetwood Town on loan
- The 21-year-old switches to Highbury for the 2022/23 campaign
- He has penned a new deal at King Power Stadium ahead of his move
A member of the Club's Development Squad, the Polish shot-stopper joined the Foxes in 2019 and has caught the eye with a number of impressive performances in Premier League 2.
He spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic, making 13 appearances for the Pars.
The 21-year-old’s progress will now continue in League 1 as he makes the switch to the Fylde Coast. The Cods are next in action on Tuesday when they host Cheltenham Town.
LCFC.COM
Talented goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk has signed a new deal with Leicester City ahead of a loan move to Fleetwood Town until the end of the 2022/23 season, subject to Football League clearance.
- Young Leicester City goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk joins Fleetwood Town on loan
- The 21-year-old switches to Highbury for the 2022/23 campaign
- He has penned a new deal at King Power Stadium ahead of his move
A member of the Club's Development Squad, the Polish shot-stopper joined the Foxes in 2019 and has caught the eye with a number of impressive performances in Premier League 2.
He spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic, making 13 appearances for the Pars.
The 21-year-old’s progress will now continue in League 1 as he makes the switch to the Fylde Coast. The Cods are next in action on Tuesday when they host Cheltenham Town.
LCFC.COM
Brendan Rodgers transfer 'change of heart' could cost Leicester City millions
Leicester City sealing a £15million deal with Monaco to sell midfielder Boubakary Soumaré has reportedly been affected by manager Brendan Rodgers having an apparent "change of heart" during pre-season.
The City midfielder featured throughout the club's pre-season friendlies this summer, playing the full 90 minutes against Preston North End and particularly impressing away to another Championship opponent, Hull City. Since the Premier League season started, though, Soumaré has been left out of the squad for their first two matches and is not being considered for selection until his future is resolved.
Since signing from Lille last summer, the former France under-21 international has made a total of 30 appearances for the Foxes, just over half of which were from the start. The player's absence from the side became particularly apparent at the end of last season when he featured just twice in the final three months of the season.
The Athletic are reporting that a proposed £15million transfer was thus agreed with Monaco this summer only for Rodgers to "appear to have a change of heart" after seeing Soumaré's showings in pre-season. It is added that the midfielder wants to leave the club.
Over the weekend, the Principality club confirmed the signing of Mali international midfielder Mohamed Camara from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee of around €15million (£12.6million) to help fill the gap left by Aurélien Tchouaméni after the France international moved to Real Madrid in a €100million deal earlier this summer. Whether that addition will affect any move for Soumaré remains to be seen.
Leicestershire Live
Leicester City sealing a £15million deal with Monaco to sell midfielder Boubakary Soumaré has reportedly been affected by manager Brendan Rodgers having an apparent "change of heart" during pre-season.
The City midfielder featured throughout the club's pre-season friendlies this summer, playing the full 90 minutes against Preston North End and particularly impressing away to another Championship opponent, Hull City. Since the Premier League season started, though, Soumaré has been left out of the squad for their first two matches and is not being considered for selection until his future is resolved.
Since signing from Lille last summer, the former France under-21 international has made a total of 30 appearances for the Foxes, just over half of which were from the start. The player's absence from the side became particularly apparent at the end of last season when he featured just twice in the final three months of the season.
The Athletic are reporting that a proposed £15million transfer was thus agreed with Monaco this summer only for Rodgers to "appear to have a change of heart" after seeing Soumaré's showings in pre-season. It is added that the midfielder wants to leave the club.
Over the weekend, the Principality club confirmed the signing of Mali international midfielder Mohamed Camara from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee of around €15million (£12.6million) to help fill the gap left by Aurélien Tchouaméni after the France international moved to Real Madrid in a €100million deal earlier this summer. Whether that addition will affect any move for Soumaré remains to be seen.
Leicestershire Live
Leicester City starlet tipped for the top makes loan switch
The 21-year-old goalkeeper has joined League One side Fleetwood Town for the rest of the season and will get his first taste of senior English football with the club
Highly-rated Leicester City goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk has completed a loan move to League One side Fleetwood Town for the rest of the season.
Stolarczyk has been tipped to reach the very top by manager Brendan Rodgers, and City have been keen to secure regular game-time for the 21-year-old to aid his development. And as a show of faith in his talent, before leaving on loan he was handed a new deal to 2026 by the club. He will now move to Highbury Stadium for his first taste of senior English football, having spent the second half of last season out on loan at Dunfermline in the Scottish Championship.
This summer, Stolarczyk has featured for City’s first team in pre-season, and he was the club’s back-up to Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen for the opening Premier League fixture. But with Alex Smithies arriving on a free transfer to provide support to the first-choice duo, it has opened the door for Stolarczyk to go out on loan.
Rodgers said earlier this month on the Poland youth international: “We’ve got a really, really, really big talent in Jakub, who I think is going to be an outstanding keeper at the very highest level.”
At Fleetwood, Stolarczyk will link up with Rodgers’ former Celtic captain Scott Brown, who is taking his first step into management with the club. They have taken four points from their first three League One fixtures of the season, while have progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup, where they will face Everton later this month.
Stolarczyk told Fleetwood's official website: “It feels great to get the move over the line, it’s been on the books for a little while now and I’m just happy that it’s finally done. I’m here now and I can’t wait to get going.
“I want to challenge myself with this loan. I want to play regularly, and I know that there will be competition for places, so I know it’s not going to be easy but that’s the reason why I wanted to come here. I want to do my best for the club as that’s the way I’m going to advance my career and I just can’t wait to get started."
Leicestershire Live
The 21-year-old goalkeeper has joined League One side Fleetwood Town for the rest of the season and will get his first taste of senior English football with the club
Highly-rated Leicester City goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk has completed a loan move to League One side Fleetwood Town for the rest of the season.
Stolarczyk has been tipped to reach the very top by manager Brendan Rodgers, and City have been keen to secure regular game-time for the 21-year-old to aid his development. And as a show of faith in his talent, before leaving on loan he was handed a new deal to 2026 by the club. He will now move to Highbury Stadium for his first taste of senior English football, having spent the second half of last season out on loan at Dunfermline in the Scottish Championship.
This summer, Stolarczyk has featured for City’s first team in pre-season, and he was the club’s back-up to Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen for the opening Premier League fixture. But with Alex Smithies arriving on a free transfer to provide support to the first-choice duo, it has opened the door for Stolarczyk to go out on loan.
Rodgers said earlier this month on the Poland youth international: “We’ve got a really, really, really big talent in Jakub, who I think is going to be an outstanding keeper at the very highest level.”
At Fleetwood, Stolarczyk will link up with Rodgers’ former Celtic captain Scott Brown, who is taking his first step into management with the club. They have taken four points from their first three League One fixtures of the season, while have progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup, where they will face Everton later this month.
Stolarczyk told Fleetwood's official website: “It feels great to get the move over the line, it’s been on the books for a little while now and I’m just happy that it’s finally done. I’m here now and I can’t wait to get going.
“I want to challenge myself with this loan. I want to play regularly, and I know that there will be competition for places, so I know it’s not going to be easy but that’s the reason why I wanted to come here. I want to do my best for the club as that’s the way I’m going to advance my career and I just can’t wait to get started."
Leicestershire Live
Arsenal ‘in talks with Youri Tielemans agents for months’ but still yet to make offer for ace who’s free next summer
ARSENAL have reportedly been in talks with Youri Tieleman's agent for several "months" - but they've yet to make an offer for the Leicester ace.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is eager to add the creative midfielder to his squad before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.
And the Arsenal brass are said to have been laying the foundations for a summer swoop for the Belgian for the last few "months".
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano said: “As for Tielemans and how this is all affecting him – my understanding is that he is a great guy, an excellent professional, and someone who is only focused on the present.
“Of course, he would like a top club. Arsenal have been in contact with his agents for months but have never submitted an official proposal yet.
"Tielemans remains a name on the Gunners’ list but surprises cannot be ruled out.”
Tielemans, 25, has one year left on his contract at the King Power Stadium but has shown no sign of extending his stay in the Midlands.
But the Foxes are reportedly not in a rush to sell the Belgium international.
In fact, they're willing to let him run down his contract and leave on a free transfer next summer.
Manager Brendan Rodgers told The Times: “It’s not ideal but it’s happened before — players have left here for free before.
“He wouldn’t be the first one, but at this moment in time it’s about keeping an eye on the team and the squad, making sure they are ready.
“The club will be negotiating and talking with the players’ representatives across the squad.
"Thus far, there’s no change in Youri’s situation, there’s no offers. So he’s just continuing to work well and get himself right at this early part of the season.
“Youri is a top international so every game he plays, in actual fact every training session Youri plays, he is trying to be the best player he can.
"There is a lot of speculation about him but he looks to prove a point in every single game he plays.”
Sunday Sun
ARSENAL have reportedly been in talks with Youri Tieleman's agent for several "months" - but they've yet to make an offer for the Leicester ace.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is eager to add the creative midfielder to his squad before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.
And the Arsenal brass are said to have been laying the foundations for a summer swoop for the Belgian for the last few "months".
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano said: “As for Tielemans and how this is all affecting him – my understanding is that he is a great guy, an excellent professional, and someone who is only focused on the present.
“Of course, he would like a top club. Arsenal have been in contact with his agents for months but have never submitted an official proposal yet.
"Tielemans remains a name on the Gunners’ list but surprises cannot be ruled out.”
Tielemans, 25, has one year left on his contract at the King Power Stadium but has shown no sign of extending his stay in the Midlands.
But the Foxes are reportedly not in a rush to sell the Belgium international.
In fact, they're willing to let him run down his contract and leave on a free transfer next summer.
Manager Brendan Rodgers told The Times: “It’s not ideal but it’s happened before — players have left here for free before.
“He wouldn’t be the first one, but at this moment in time it’s about keeping an eye on the team and the squad, making sure they are ready.
“The club will be negotiating and talking with the players’ representatives across the squad.
"Thus far, there’s no change in Youri’s situation, there’s no offers. So he’s just continuing to work well and get himself right at this early part of the season.
“Youri is a top international so every game he plays, in actual fact every training session Youri plays, he is trying to be the best player he can.
"There is a lot of speculation about him but he looks to prove a point in every single game he plays.”
Sunday Sun
Arsenal 4-2 Leicester City
Jesus on hand to answer Arsenal’s prayers
A new start to the Premier League (PL) season reaped the same results for Arsenal, who secured a fourth-successive home league victory with a 4-2 win over Leicester City.
After their opening day victory over Crystal Palace, you would be forgiven for expecting a fast Arsenal start. It was in fact the opposite, and the Gunners needed a fine Aaron Ramsdale stop to deny Wesley Fofana to ensure they reached the five minute mark with a clean sheet intact.
That chance seemed to spur Arsenal into action and the Gunners came tantalisingly close to taking the lead when Bukayo Saka’s delivery was met by Granit Xhaka, but the Swiss international saw his effort cannon back of the post.
Fortunately, Arsenal didn’t have to wait much longer to take the lead and it was a moment of magic from summer signing Gabriel Jesus, who picked the ball up and curled a sumptuous effort beyond a desperate dive of Danny Ward. Fittingly, like London buses,
Jesus’ second Arsenal goal wasn’t far behind, a little over ten minutes in fact, as the Brazilian headed home at the far post to double the Gunners advantage. Arsenal had to survive a late first half scare though, with VAR coming to their rescue after Darren England had provisionally awarded Leicester a penalty.
Leicester did manufacture a reprieve after HT though, when a comical moment saw William Saliba head the ball past Ramsdale and into his own goal to inadvertently halve his side’s lead. That Leicetser joy was incredibly short-lived however, as despite the woodwork denying him in the first half, Xhaka fired home from close range to restore Arsenal’s two goal cushion.
Both sides continued to trade blows in what was turning out to be a real humdinger of a game.
James Maddison made the score 3-2, before yet again Arsenal hit back instantaneously through Gabriel Martinelli, who has now scored in back-to-back PL games, to again re-establish Arsenal’s two goal lead.
A clean sheet may have eluded Arsenal, but points are all that matters to Mikel Arteta, whose side have now won their first home league game in three of the last four seasons.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Chris Wilson Flashscores.com
Jesus on hand to answer Arsenal’s prayers
A new start to the Premier League (PL) season reaped the same results for Arsenal, who secured a fourth-successive home league victory with a 4-2 win over Leicester City.
After their opening day victory over Crystal Palace, you would be forgiven for expecting a fast Arsenal start. It was in fact the opposite, and the Gunners needed a fine Aaron Ramsdale stop to deny Wesley Fofana to ensure they reached the five minute mark with a clean sheet intact.
That chance seemed to spur Arsenal into action and the Gunners came tantalisingly close to taking the lead when Bukayo Saka’s delivery was met by Granit Xhaka, but the Swiss international saw his effort cannon back of the post.
Fortunately, Arsenal didn’t have to wait much longer to take the lead and it was a moment of magic from summer signing Gabriel Jesus, who picked the ball up and curled a sumptuous effort beyond a desperate dive of Danny Ward. Fittingly, like London buses,
Jesus’ second Arsenal goal wasn’t far behind, a little over ten minutes in fact, as the Brazilian headed home at the far post to double the Gunners advantage. Arsenal had to survive a late first half scare though, with VAR coming to their rescue after Darren England had provisionally awarded Leicester a penalty.
Leicester did manufacture a reprieve after HT though, when a comical moment saw William Saliba head the ball past Ramsdale and into his own goal to inadvertently halve his side’s lead. That Leicetser joy was incredibly short-lived however, as despite the woodwork denying him in the first half, Xhaka fired home from close range to restore Arsenal’s two goal cushion.
Both sides continued to trade blows in what was turning out to be a real humdinger of a game.
James Maddison made the score 3-2, before yet again Arsenal hit back instantaneously through Gabriel Martinelli, who has now scored in back-to-back PL games, to again re-establish Arsenal’s two goal lead.
A clean sheet may have eluded Arsenal, but points are all that matters to Mikel Arteta, whose side have now won their first home league game in three of the last four seasons.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Chris Wilson Flashscores.com
Leicester closing in on first signing 62 days after window opened with free transfer move for Alex Smithies
Goalkeeper Alex Smithies has signed a two-year contract with Leicester City, it is being reported.
The 32 year-old is currently a free agent after leaving Cardiff City and confirmation of his arrival at the King Power Stadium is expected "soon".
That's according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, who says Smithies completed his medical this afternoon (Thursday) and has penned a deal until the summer of 2024. Smithies, who has also played for Huddersfield Town and Queens Park Rangers, arrives with over 460 career appearances to his name.
It was reported earlier in the day that Smithies was "in talks" with City after spending time on trial with Premier League rivals Bournemouth. Despite his experience, he has never played in the top flight and, though he is on the verge of being unveiled as a City player, that could be something that continues.
Smithies will be Brendan Rodgers' third-choice goalkeeper when he arrives at the King Power Stadium, sitting behind Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen in the pecking order. He will play a similar role to Eldin Jakupovic, supporting the two other goalkeepers through the week and being a steady hand to call upon if needed.
His arrival will allow young stopper Jakub Stolarczyk to go out on loan, with a club lined up for the Poland youth international. League One side Fleetwood have been linked.
Leicestershire Live
Goalkeeper Alex Smithies has signed a two-year contract with Leicester City, it is being reported.
The 32 year-old is currently a free agent after leaving Cardiff City and confirmation of his arrival at the King Power Stadium is expected "soon".
That's according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, who says Smithies completed his medical this afternoon (Thursday) and has penned a deal until the summer of 2024. Smithies, who has also played for Huddersfield Town and Queens Park Rangers, arrives with over 460 career appearances to his name.
It was reported earlier in the day that Smithies was "in talks" with City after spending time on trial with Premier League rivals Bournemouth. Despite his experience, he has never played in the top flight and, though he is on the verge of being unveiled as a City player, that could be something that continues.
Smithies will be Brendan Rodgers' third-choice goalkeeper when he arrives at the King Power Stadium, sitting behind Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen in the pecking order. He will play a similar role to Eldin Jakupovic, supporting the two other goalkeepers through the week and being a steady hand to call upon if needed.
His arrival will allow young stopper Jakub Stolarczyk to go out on loan, with a club lined up for the Poland youth international. League One side Fleetwood have been linked.
Leicestershire Live
Leicester City confirm midfielder transfer as club look to push on with outgoings
Homegrown midfielder Hamza Choudhury has joined Watford in the Championship on a season-long loan after making just eight Premier League starts over the past two seasons
Hamza Choudhury may have played his final game for Leicester City after joining Championship side Watford on a season-long loan.
The defensive midfielder will link up with the Hornets for the campaign, Watford winning a battle with West Brom, the Baggies’ boss Steve Bruce a long-term admirer of Choudhury. He has long been linked with a City exit and twice nearly moved to Newcastle in deadline-day moves in recent transfer windows.
His game-time at the King Power Stadium has dwindled in the past few years, the 24-year-old making just eight Premier League starts over the past two seasons, while he has not played in any of the club’s last 15 matches in all competitions. At the weekend, against Brentford, he did not even make the substitutes' bench.
Choudhury’s move is one of several exits City hope to organise before the end of the transfer window. Moving players on and creating space on their wage bill may give them the opportunity to make some signings, with the club the only side in Europe’s top five leagues yet to bring in a new recruit.
He is the third senior player to leave the club this summer. Eldin Jakupovic was released at the end of his deal in June, while captain Kasper Schmeichel left for Nice last week.
There is an option to buy in his loan deal and if taken up, he could be back in the Premier League with Watford next season, with the Hornets the favourites for promotion under new manager Rob Edwards. They have started the season with four points from six.
In total, Choudhury has made 84 appearances for City since his debut under Craig Shakespeare in 2017. He has scored two goals for the club, against Newcastle and AEK Athens.
Leicestershire Live
Homegrown midfielder Hamza Choudhury has joined Watford in the Championship on a season-long loan after making just eight Premier League starts over the past two seasons
Hamza Choudhury may have played his final game for Leicester City after joining Championship side Watford on a season-long loan.
The defensive midfielder will link up with the Hornets for the campaign, Watford winning a battle with West Brom, the Baggies’ boss Steve Bruce a long-term admirer of Choudhury. He has long been linked with a City exit and twice nearly moved to Newcastle in deadline-day moves in recent transfer windows.
His game-time at the King Power Stadium has dwindled in the past few years, the 24-year-old making just eight Premier League starts over the past two seasons, while he has not played in any of the club’s last 15 matches in all competitions. At the weekend, against Brentford, he did not even make the substitutes' bench.
Choudhury’s move is one of several exits City hope to organise before the end of the transfer window. Moving players on and creating space on their wage bill may give them the opportunity to make some signings, with the club the only side in Europe’s top five leagues yet to bring in a new recruit.
He is the third senior player to leave the club this summer. Eldin Jakupovic was released at the end of his deal in June, while captain Kasper Schmeichel left for Nice last week.
There is an option to buy in his loan deal and if taken up, he could be back in the Premier League with Watford next season, with the Hornets the favourites for promotion under new manager Rob Edwards. They have started the season with four points from six.
In total, Choudhury has made 84 appearances for City since his debut under Craig Shakespeare in 2017. He has scored two goals for the club, against Newcastle and AEK Athens.
Leicestershire Live
Leicester City put defender 'up for sale' as price tag revealed
Leicester City are prepared to offload Jannik Vestergaard for £12million this summer, according to reports.
However, the Denmark international would apparently prefer a loan move, having only joined the Foxes last season, says the Daily Mail. He is keen to secure valuable game time to boost his chances of making an appearance in this year's World Cup.
Despite being a regular player for Southampton before his move to the King Power, he has started just six games for Brendan Rodgers, making a total of 20 outings in his first season. Although Fulham were said to be interested in the signing of the experienced player, they have since opted to sign Issa Diop from West Ham, with a £15million transfer set to be completed.
Regarding his World Cup chances this winter, Denmark national team boss Kasper Hjulmand said earlier this summer: "The next few days are spent talking to the players about it, about why there is a big responsibility for them individually in the autumn.
"Because we are not together, we need to be as sharp and prepared as possible. The responsibility rests with the players at home in their clubs until we meet in November.
"I do not have a formula because there is no formula for it. But playing time is important.
There are some who have been out for so long that it certainly cannot happen again. When you have been out for so long, there can not be another six months where you do not play."
Vestergaard is under contract at City until 2024.
LeicestershireLive
Leicester City are prepared to offload Jannik Vestergaard for £12million this summer, according to reports.
However, the Denmark international would apparently prefer a loan move, having only joined the Foxes last season, says the Daily Mail. He is keen to secure valuable game time to boost his chances of making an appearance in this year's World Cup.
Despite being a regular player for Southampton before his move to the King Power, he has started just six games for Brendan Rodgers, making a total of 20 outings in his first season. Although Fulham were said to be interested in the signing of the experienced player, they have since opted to sign Issa Diop from West Ham, with a £15million transfer set to be completed.
Regarding his World Cup chances this winter, Denmark national team boss Kasper Hjulmand said earlier this summer: "The next few days are spent talking to the players about it, about why there is a big responsibility for them individually in the autumn.
"Because we are not together, we need to be as sharp and prepared as possible. The responsibility rests with the players at home in their clubs until we meet in November.
"I do not have a formula because there is no formula for it. But playing time is important.
There are some who have been out for so long that it certainly cannot happen again. When you have been out for so long, there can not be another six months where you do not play."
Vestergaard is under contract at City until 2024.
LeicestershireLive
Leicester City 2-2 Brentford
Bees sting late to wound hungry Foxes
Leicester City and Brentford treated the King Power Stadium to an absolute thriller in their season opener. The Foxes failed to secure a third successive H2H league win this century, succumbing to a late equaliser to draw 2-2.
Attempting to avoid a case of second-season syndrome after punching above their weight in their first ever PL season, Brentford started with enough belief to land themselves a top-half finish this time around.
However, their advances did not bother the hosts, who came close twice within the first 20 minutes, first via Youri Tielemans’ long range effort denied masterfully by David Raya, before James Maddison missed a header from inside the box.
Making up for his earlier miss, Maddison turned provider with an inch-perfect corner kick minutes later as he curled a beauty right into the path of Timothy Castagne, who headed home the opener. Despite a positive reaction from the Bees, Brendan Rodgers’ side looked rather unsatisfied with their one-goal lead as they charged on for a second. Pushing the visitors on their heels, Tielemans struck a low thunderbolt that came off the bottom post to keep things as it was going into the break.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made sure things were not going to stay the same for Thomas Frank’s men going forward. The midfielder unleashed a left-footed piledriver into the bottom right corner just seconds after restart, doubling the hosts’ lead. Undeterred, the visitors responded just after the hour mark to halve Leicester’s lead, following a brilliant team move which was capped off by Ivan Toney’s hold-up play and finish.
The hosts almost retaliated with a goal of their own six minutes later when Wesley Fofana rose high to meet a free-kick delivery, only to direct it at the right post.
Brentford goalscorer Toney then came agonisingly close to equalising with his head, as he sent his effort from a cross narrowly wide of the left post.
However, they didn’t have to wait long after that miss, with Josh Dasilva executing a brilliant piece of solo play to curl in the equaliser minutes before FT. The Bees stung the Foxes as the final minutes ticked by, mustering hopes of an improvement on a 13th place finish last season. Meanwhile, Leicester have work to do if they are to better a sobering eighth position.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Akhil Fisher | flashscore.co.uk
Bees sting late to wound hungry Foxes
Leicester City and Brentford treated the King Power Stadium to an absolute thriller in their season opener. The Foxes failed to secure a third successive H2H league win this century, succumbing to a late equaliser to draw 2-2.
Attempting to avoid a case of second-season syndrome after punching above their weight in their first ever PL season, Brentford started with enough belief to land themselves a top-half finish this time around.
However, their advances did not bother the hosts, who came close twice within the first 20 minutes, first via Youri Tielemans’ long range effort denied masterfully by David Raya, before James Maddison missed a header from inside the box.
Making up for his earlier miss, Maddison turned provider with an inch-perfect corner kick minutes later as he curled a beauty right into the path of Timothy Castagne, who headed home the opener. Despite a positive reaction from the Bees, Brendan Rodgers’ side looked rather unsatisfied with their one-goal lead as they charged on for a second. Pushing the visitors on their heels, Tielemans struck a low thunderbolt that came off the bottom post to keep things as it was going into the break.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made sure things were not going to stay the same for Thomas Frank’s men going forward. The midfielder unleashed a left-footed piledriver into the bottom right corner just seconds after restart, doubling the hosts’ lead. Undeterred, the visitors responded just after the hour mark to halve Leicester’s lead, following a brilliant team move which was capped off by Ivan Toney’s hold-up play and finish.
The hosts almost retaliated with a goal of their own six minutes later when Wesley Fofana rose high to meet a free-kick delivery, only to direct it at the right post.
Brentford goalscorer Toney then came agonisingly close to equalising with his head, as he sent his effort from a cross narrowly wide of the left post.
However, they didn’t have to wait long after that miss, with Josh Dasilva executing a brilliant piece of solo play to curl in the equaliser minutes before FT. The Bees stung the Foxes as the final minutes ticked by, mustering hopes of an improvement on a 13th place finish last season. Meanwhile, Leicester have work to do if they are to better a sobering eighth position.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Akhil Fisher | flashscore.co.uk
Chelsea come back in for Leicester City star with 'fresh proposal' as player stance claimed
Chelsea further test the Foxes' transfer resolve over star defender Wesley Fofana
Chelsea have upped their attempt to get Wesley Fofana with a new and improved bid to test Leicester City's resolve, it has been claimed.
The Times reported on Friday that The Blues were "considering" making a second offer of £70million for the Foxes defender after seeing their first bid instantly rejected by the club. The Blues have been credited with an interest in Fofana over the last couple of weeks as they search for centre-back reinforcements ahead of the new season. Having lost out on the likes of Jules Kounde and Prenel Kimpembe, attentions turned to Fofana.
City are not interested in selling the defender this summer, especially as he signed a new five-year contract back in March just as he was returning from a fractured fibula. Chelsea’s initial bid of around £60million was said to be "immediately" rejected by City with the club providing no encouragement to Thomas Tuchel’s men regarding a higher offer.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, however, claims the London club have come back in, tweeting: "Chelsea have submitted a fresh proposal for Wesley Fofana on Friday in excess of £70m. Leicester have turned down the proposal, Rodgers also insists he's not for sale."
And the journalist added his thoughts on the player's stance, continuing: "...but Chelsea are determined to try again for Fofana. The player would be 100% keen on the move."
According to The Times, City have ‘made it clear’ that only a World record fee, eclipsing the £80m they sold Harry Maguire for in 2019, would be considered.
It is also added that Brendan Rodgers has informed Fofana that he will not be sold this summer, with the understanding that the player could be allowed to leave in 12 months' time. His former club St Etienne are also set to be given 20 percent of any profit City make on the defender.
Chelsea are also said to be willing to include players in the offer in order to try and drive the asking price down. City did show an interest in defender Levi Colwill, but it seems that the central defender is now moving to Brighton on loan with full-back Marc Cucurella going the other way.
Fofana is expected to be named alongside Jonny Evans in the centre of City’s defence for Sunday’s Premier League opener at the King Power Stadium against Brentford.
Leicester Mercury
Chelsea further test the Foxes' transfer resolve over star defender Wesley Fofana
Chelsea have upped their attempt to get Wesley Fofana with a new and improved bid to test Leicester City's resolve, it has been claimed.
The Times reported on Friday that The Blues were "considering" making a second offer of £70million for the Foxes defender after seeing their first bid instantly rejected by the club. The Blues have been credited with an interest in Fofana over the last couple of weeks as they search for centre-back reinforcements ahead of the new season. Having lost out on the likes of Jules Kounde and Prenel Kimpembe, attentions turned to Fofana.
City are not interested in selling the defender this summer, especially as he signed a new five-year contract back in March just as he was returning from a fractured fibula. Chelsea’s initial bid of around £60million was said to be "immediately" rejected by City with the club providing no encouragement to Thomas Tuchel’s men regarding a higher offer.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, however, claims the London club have come back in, tweeting: "Chelsea have submitted a fresh proposal for Wesley Fofana on Friday in excess of £70m. Leicester have turned down the proposal, Rodgers also insists he's not for sale."
And the journalist added his thoughts on the player's stance, continuing: "...but Chelsea are determined to try again for Fofana. The player would be 100% keen on the move."
According to The Times, City have ‘made it clear’ that only a World record fee, eclipsing the £80m they sold Harry Maguire for in 2019, would be considered.
It is also added that Brendan Rodgers has informed Fofana that he will not be sold this summer, with the understanding that the player could be allowed to leave in 12 months' time. His former club St Etienne are also set to be given 20 percent of any profit City make on the defender.
Chelsea are also said to be willing to include players in the offer in order to try and drive the asking price down. City did show an interest in defender Levi Colwill, but it seems that the central defender is now moving to Brighton on loan with full-back Marc Cucurella going the other way.
Fofana is expected to be named alongside Jonny Evans in the centre of City’s defence for Sunday’s Premier League opener at the King Power Stadium against Brentford.
Leicester Mercury
Leicester City 'bonus' as reinvigorated Dennis Praet decides to stay and fight for place
Brendan Rodgers had expected the Belgian midfielder to ask for a transfer after a loan spell at Torino last season, but he wants to be at the King Power Stadium for the new season.
Leicester City have been given a “real bonus” after midfielder Dennis Praet indicated he is willing to stay and fight for his place at the club.
City manager Brendan Rodgers has said he expected the Belgian international to seek a transfer away from the club this summer, but instead he has returned “reinvigorated” and has impressed in pre-season showings. He could even start against Brentford on Sunday, having replaced the injured Harvey Barnes on the left wing last weekend against Sevilla.
Praet spent last season on loan in Serie A with Torino, pushing for a move away from City because of his lack of game-time at the end of the previous campaign. While in Italy, he said he was no longer happy at the King Power Stadium, and felt he had been “treated somewhat unfairly”, with Rodgers not providing an explanation over his lack of minutes.
But it seems those bridges have been rebuilt. Rodgers has now suggested Praet will feature regularly this season, either as a starter or as somebody who the manager knows he can turn to as an influential substitute.
“He's very much a part of what we’re doing,” Rodgers said. “I’ve been delighted with Dennis. I pulled him and had a chat with him Friday morning to tell him how well he’s done over pre-season.
“I think my notion when he came back, when we spoke in Evian, was that he was maybe one who wanted to move on and play, because he was in that situation before. But he’s come back reinvigorated and really wants to be here at the club, which is great, and over the course of the pre-season, he’s looked strong, he’s looked fit and he’s done very well in the games.
“I think he’s a real bonus for us that he wants to stay and compete for a place in the team. If he doesn’t play, I know I’ve got someone on the bench to come into the game, but I’m pretty sure he will end up having a really good season for us.”
Praet first arrived at City in 2019 in an £18m move from Sampdoria. His last competitive appearance for the club was as a substitute in a 3-0 win over West Brom in April 2021.
Leicester Mercury
Brendan Rodgers had expected the Belgian midfielder to ask for a transfer after a loan spell at Torino last season, but he wants to be at the King Power Stadium for the new season.
Leicester City have been given a “real bonus” after midfielder Dennis Praet indicated he is willing to stay and fight for his place at the club.
City manager Brendan Rodgers has said he expected the Belgian international to seek a transfer away from the club this summer, but instead he has returned “reinvigorated” and has impressed in pre-season showings. He could even start against Brentford on Sunday, having replaced the injured Harvey Barnes on the left wing last weekend against Sevilla.
Praet spent last season on loan in Serie A with Torino, pushing for a move away from City because of his lack of game-time at the end of the previous campaign. While in Italy, he said he was no longer happy at the King Power Stadium, and felt he had been “treated somewhat unfairly”, with Rodgers not providing an explanation over his lack of minutes.
But it seems those bridges have been rebuilt. Rodgers has now suggested Praet will feature regularly this season, either as a starter or as somebody who the manager knows he can turn to as an influential substitute.
“He's very much a part of what we’re doing,” Rodgers said. “I’ve been delighted with Dennis. I pulled him and had a chat with him Friday morning to tell him how well he’s done over pre-season.
“I think my notion when he came back, when we spoke in Evian, was that he was maybe one who wanted to move on and play, because he was in that situation before. But he’s come back reinvigorated and really wants to be here at the club, which is great, and over the course of the pre-season, he’s looked strong, he’s looked fit and he’s done very well in the games.
“I think he’s a real bonus for us that he wants to stay and compete for a place in the team. If he doesn’t play, I know I’ve got someone on the bench to come into the game, but I’m pretty sure he will end up having a really good season for us.”
Praet first arrived at City in 2019 in an £18m move from Sampdoria. His last competitive appearance for the club was as a substitute in a 3-0 win over West Brom in April 2021.
Leicester Mercury
Leicester City reject Chelsea transfer bid for defender Wesley Fofana
Leicester City have rejected a bid from Chelsea for defender Wesley Fofana, according to reports.
The Blues are said to have made an opening offer of €75million (£62.8m) for the 21-year-old, which was "immediately" rejected. City are maintaining their "not-for-sale" stance and are said to have provided no encouragement to Chelsea regarding a higher offer.
Fofana has been linked with Chelsea throughout the summer, although there interest has only become concrete in recent days. Leicester will not want to lose a key defender, having already seen Kasper Schmeichel leave while facing the likelihood of selling Youri Tielemans.
News of Chelsea's approach for Fofana comes from French newspaper L'Equipe, who say the London club submitted their offer on Wednesday. When pushing for a move from Saint-Etienne to Leicester, Fofana gave an interview to L'Equipe about wanting the transfer, suggesting the French media organisation is close to the player.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the bid and says Chelsea are "preparing another approach" for the Frenchman. It is likely they will increase their bid.
Fofana dropped clues on social media earlier this week to suggest he wants to move to Stamford Bridge, though he also liked a tweet suggesting fans shouldn't read too much into his posts. It remains to be seen if he will continue to push the move, or accept he will have to wait until next summer for an exit.
Leicester Mercury
Leicester City have rejected a bid from Chelsea for defender Wesley Fofana, according to reports.
The Blues are said to have made an opening offer of €75million (£62.8m) for the 21-year-old, which was "immediately" rejected. City are maintaining their "not-for-sale" stance and are said to have provided no encouragement to Chelsea regarding a higher offer.
Fofana has been linked with Chelsea throughout the summer, although there interest has only become concrete in recent days. Leicester will not want to lose a key defender, having already seen Kasper Schmeichel leave while facing the likelihood of selling Youri Tielemans.
News of Chelsea's approach for Fofana comes from French newspaper L'Equipe, who say the London club submitted their offer on Wednesday. When pushing for a move from Saint-Etienne to Leicester, Fofana gave an interview to L'Equipe about wanting the transfer, suggesting the French media organisation is close to the player.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the bid and says Chelsea are "preparing another approach" for the Frenchman. It is likely they will increase their bid.
Fofana dropped clues on social media earlier this week to suggest he wants to move to Stamford Bridge, though he also liked a tweet suggesting fans shouldn't read too much into his posts. It remains to be seen if he will continue to push the move, or accept he will have to wait until next summer for an exit.
Leicester Mercury
Kasper Schmeichel completes Leicester City exit as Nice transfer confirmed
The goalkeeper leaves Leicester City with four medals to show for almost 500 appearances for the club across over a decade as the club's first-choice between the sticks
Leicester City club captain Kasper Schmeichel has completed a transfer to OGC Nice after 11 years in the East Midlands.
The 35-year-old signed for the club from Manchester City in late June 2011 and went on to win the Championship, Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield in over a decade at the King Power Stadium. Now an 80-plus cap Denmark international,
Schmeichel becomes to first major outgoing of the summer transfer window for Brendan Rodgers' side that has also yet to see a senior incoming arrive either.
A three-year contract to stay in the French Riviera until the summer of 2025 has reportedly been agreed with the goalkeeper. Nice have also recently welcomed former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey to the club this week.
Announcing the Dane's departure, the Foxes said in a statement: "Goalkeeper and Club Captain Kasper Schmeichel will join Ligue 1 side OGC Nice, ending an 11-year association with the Football Club that sees him leave with his status firmly secured as one of greatest players in Leicester City history.
"The 35-year-old, who lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield and Championship trophies after signing from Leeds United in 2011, joins the French side for an undisclosed fee, subject to international and league approval.
"Schmeichel, who sits third in Leicester City’s all-time appearance list having played 479 times during 11 historic seasons for the Football Club, has been a key figure in the unprecedented period of success seen under King Power’s ownership.
"The Danish international has been at the heart of countless memorable moments, including the Football Club’s Premier League title victory in 2015/16 and the Foxes’ maiden FA Cup win in 2020/21. His passion, leadership and consistency helped lay the foundations for a period of sustained success never before seen at Leicester City and will leave his name written proudly in the Club’s history books."
Leicester Mercury
The goalkeeper leaves Leicester City with four medals to show for almost 500 appearances for the club across over a decade as the club's first-choice between the sticks
Leicester City club captain Kasper Schmeichel has completed a transfer to OGC Nice after 11 years in the East Midlands.
The 35-year-old signed for the club from Manchester City in late June 2011 and went on to win the Championship, Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield in over a decade at the King Power Stadium. Now an 80-plus cap Denmark international,
Schmeichel becomes to first major outgoing of the summer transfer window for Brendan Rodgers' side that has also yet to see a senior incoming arrive either.
A three-year contract to stay in the French Riviera until the summer of 2025 has reportedly been agreed with the goalkeeper. Nice have also recently welcomed former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey to the club this week.
Announcing the Dane's departure, the Foxes said in a statement: "Goalkeeper and Club Captain Kasper Schmeichel will join Ligue 1 side OGC Nice, ending an 11-year association with the Football Club that sees him leave with his status firmly secured as one of greatest players in Leicester City history.
"The 35-year-old, who lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield and Championship trophies after signing from Leeds United in 2011, joins the French side for an undisclosed fee, subject to international and league approval.
"Schmeichel, who sits third in Leicester City’s all-time appearance list having played 479 times during 11 historic seasons for the Football Club, has been a key figure in the unprecedented period of success seen under King Power’s ownership.
"The Danish international has been at the heart of countless memorable moments, including the Football Club’s Premier League title victory in 2015/16 and the Foxes’ maiden FA Cup win in 2020/21. His passion, leadership and consistency helped lay the foundations for a period of sustained success never before seen at Leicester City and will leave his name written proudly in the Club’s history books."
Leicester Mercury
Pre-Season Concludes With Sevilla Success On Filbert Way
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the only goal of the game as Leicester City ended their preparations for the 2022/23 season with a dominant victory over Sevilla.
A strong squad and starting XI was named by Brendan Rodgers for the final pre-season friendly against the Spaniards, ahead of the new Premier League season kicking off in a week's time.
The Foxes began in a 4-2-3-1 system, with Timothy Castagne operating in a more advanced position on the right and Harvey Barnes on the opposite flank, either side of lone striker Jamie Vardy. And it was Barnes who created the first meaningful chance of the game after 10 minutes, taking Wesley Fofana's cross-field pass in his stride, flicking the ball over Lucas Ocampos before bending it just the wrong side of the far post.
The England international winger was central to the next passage of attacking play too, robbing Sevilla of possession and feeding Vardy to his left, but once City's No.9 cut back onto his right foot, the visitors had enough bodies back in the six-yard box to block the shot.
Sevilla had opportunities of their own and could have levelled just over halfway through the first period, albeit somewhat fortuitously, when Papu Gómez's out-swinging free-kick took a nick off Fofana and forced Daniel Iversen into a sprawling diving stop, tipping the ball past the post.
Back at the other end, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall played Vardy through and this time he unselfishly cut the ball back to Maddison, who had three or four defenders blocking his route to goal, but still managed to twist and turn to unleash an effort at goal that Namanja Gudelj deflected out for a corner.
From the resulting set piece, Dewsbury-Hall was the architect of another Maddison chance, though this time it was 'keeper Marko Dmitrovic who was in the way of his fierce strike. The 23-year-old could have had a hat-trick of assists in the space of just of few minutes had Vardy finished off his latest splitting pass.
Ricardo Pereira went down with an injury with a little under 10 minutes to go until the break and was brought off, with Youri Tielemans coming on in his place, leading to a shift in the midfield.
Rojiblancos, meanwhile, looked to be in from an aerial cross into the box, which sailed over Jonny Evans' head, and a neat touch from Ivan Romero took the ball under control, though Fofana's last-ditch sliding tackle was expertly timed and prevented a certain shot on goal.
Maddison's free-kick from the edge of the box was the last action of the half, though there just wasn't enough dip on the ball to take it the right side of the crossbar.
A double half-time change saw Kasper Schmeichel and Daniel Amartey introduced for Iversen and Fofana and Leicester kept the pressure up in the second period.
Following James Justin's mazy run, which failed to materialise into an effort on goal, Maddison tried his luck from range, though Kiki Salas got his body in the way of the shot, which was bound for Dmitrovic's goal.
Leicester's No.10 then turned provider with a clever pass to Tielemans, who in turn found Vardy, though the Club's all-time record Premier League goalscorer was unable to beat Dmitrovic.
Barnes forced the shot-stopper into another save moments later, though he was unlikely to be beaten from the tight angle from which the shot was taken.
It was his last action, replaced by Dennis Praet shortly after the hour mark. Another double substitution followed, as Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi came off for Patson Daka and Boubakary Soumaré.
Dewsbury-Hall finally broke the deadlock on 68 minutes. Collecting the ball from Maddison, he cut inside onto his left foot and, via a deflection which deceived Dmitrovic, saw the ball tuck into the bottom corner. The away side still showed signs that they were looking for a positive result. Substitute Jesús Navas fired narrowly over the crossbar, before Nacho Quintana struck the side netting from range, although Rodgers' men remained in the ascendency.
A quick-fire brace of chances were presented to Daka in quick succession, firstly an attempt from the edge of the box which had to be tipped away, before his header cannoned back off the post. The lively Zambian created a third chance which was once again saved by Dmitrovic.
Marc Albrighton's introduction, alongside Papy Mendy, for Maddison and Dewsbury-Hall, marked City's final changes of the evening, ahead of the last meaningful action - an attempt from Praet - deflecting over.
LCFC.COM
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the only goal of the game as Leicester City ended their preparations for the 2022/23 season with a dominant victory over Sevilla.
A strong squad and starting XI was named by Brendan Rodgers for the final pre-season friendly against the Spaniards, ahead of the new Premier League season kicking off in a week's time.
The Foxes began in a 4-2-3-1 system, with Timothy Castagne operating in a more advanced position on the right and Harvey Barnes on the opposite flank, either side of lone striker Jamie Vardy. And it was Barnes who created the first meaningful chance of the game after 10 minutes, taking Wesley Fofana's cross-field pass in his stride, flicking the ball over Lucas Ocampos before bending it just the wrong side of the far post.
The England international winger was central to the next passage of attacking play too, robbing Sevilla of possession and feeding Vardy to his left, but once City's No.9 cut back onto his right foot, the visitors had enough bodies back in the six-yard box to block the shot.
Sevilla had opportunities of their own and could have levelled just over halfway through the first period, albeit somewhat fortuitously, when Papu Gómez's out-swinging free-kick took a nick off Fofana and forced Daniel Iversen into a sprawling diving stop, tipping the ball past the post.
Back at the other end, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall played Vardy through and this time he unselfishly cut the ball back to Maddison, who had three or four defenders blocking his route to goal, but still managed to twist and turn to unleash an effort at goal that Namanja Gudelj deflected out for a corner.
From the resulting set piece, Dewsbury-Hall was the architect of another Maddison chance, though this time it was 'keeper Marko Dmitrovic who was in the way of his fierce strike. The 23-year-old could have had a hat-trick of assists in the space of just of few minutes had Vardy finished off his latest splitting pass.
Ricardo Pereira went down with an injury with a little under 10 minutes to go until the break and was brought off, with Youri Tielemans coming on in his place, leading to a shift in the midfield.
Rojiblancos, meanwhile, looked to be in from an aerial cross into the box, which sailed over Jonny Evans' head, and a neat touch from Ivan Romero took the ball under control, though Fofana's last-ditch sliding tackle was expertly timed and prevented a certain shot on goal.
Maddison's free-kick from the edge of the box was the last action of the half, though there just wasn't enough dip on the ball to take it the right side of the crossbar.
A double half-time change saw Kasper Schmeichel and Daniel Amartey introduced for Iversen and Fofana and Leicester kept the pressure up in the second period.
Following James Justin's mazy run, which failed to materialise into an effort on goal, Maddison tried his luck from range, though Kiki Salas got his body in the way of the shot, which was bound for Dmitrovic's goal.
Leicester's No.10 then turned provider with a clever pass to Tielemans, who in turn found Vardy, though the Club's all-time record Premier League goalscorer was unable to beat Dmitrovic.
Barnes forced the shot-stopper into another save moments later, though he was unlikely to be beaten from the tight angle from which the shot was taken.
It was his last action, replaced by Dennis Praet shortly after the hour mark. Another double substitution followed, as Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi came off for Patson Daka and Boubakary Soumaré.
Dewsbury-Hall finally broke the deadlock on 68 minutes. Collecting the ball from Maddison, he cut inside onto his left foot and, via a deflection which deceived Dmitrovic, saw the ball tuck into the bottom corner. The away side still showed signs that they were looking for a positive result. Substitute Jesús Navas fired narrowly over the crossbar, before Nacho Quintana struck the side netting from range, although Rodgers' men remained in the ascendency.
A quick-fire brace of chances were presented to Daka in quick succession, firstly an attempt from the edge of the box which had to be tipped away, before his header cannoned back off the post. The lively Zambian created a third chance which was once again saved by Dmitrovic.
Marc Albrighton's introduction, alongside Papy Mendy, for Maddison and Dewsbury-Hall, marked City's final changes of the evening, ahead of the last meaningful action - an attempt from Praet - deflecting over.
LCFC.COM
Fulham boss Marco Silva chasing Leicester defender Jannik Vestergaard transfer but Foxes want £12m for giant Dane
FULHAM want Leicester’s Danish centre-half Jannik Vestergaard to bolster their defence.
Marco Silva is looking for more power and presence at the back — and 6ft 4in Vestergaard is available as Brendan Rodgers looks to shake up his Foxes squad.
Fulham fancy a loan deal but Leicester will be looking for up to £12million for the former Southampton defender, 29. Silva has also looked at West Ham’s Issa Diop, 25, but Vestergaard may yet be the answer.
The Denmark international came to our shores in 2018, when he signed for the Saints in 2018 in a £22million deal from Borussia Monchengladbach. He soon became a fans' favourite - appearing 79 times across three seasons for the South Coast club.
Last summer, Southampton accepted a £16million deal from the Foxes and Vestergaard signed on a three-year deal. However, he has struggled to settle at the King Power Stadium and hasn't had as much game time as he would have liked.
He made just 10 Premier League appearances in a disappointing campaign for Brendan Rodgers' men, who finished eighth in the top flight.
Internationally, though, his career has hit bigger heights.
He was famously part of the Danish team that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
Leicester may be reluctant to sell - with reports suggesting fellow centre back Wesley Fofana is a target for Chelsea.
The Sun
FULHAM want Leicester’s Danish centre-half Jannik Vestergaard to bolster their defence.
Marco Silva is looking for more power and presence at the back — and 6ft 4in Vestergaard is available as Brendan Rodgers looks to shake up his Foxes squad.
Fulham fancy a loan deal but Leicester will be looking for up to £12million for the former Southampton defender, 29. Silva has also looked at West Ham’s Issa Diop, 25, but Vestergaard may yet be the answer.
The Denmark international came to our shores in 2018, when he signed for the Saints in 2018 in a £22million deal from Borussia Monchengladbach. He soon became a fans' favourite - appearing 79 times across three seasons for the South Coast club.
Last summer, Southampton accepted a £16million deal from the Foxes and Vestergaard signed on a three-year deal. However, he has struggled to settle at the King Power Stadium and hasn't had as much game time as he would have liked.
He made just 10 Premier League appearances in a disappointing campaign for Brendan Rodgers' men, who finished eighth in the top flight.
Internationally, though, his career has hit bigger heights.
He was famously part of the Danish team that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
Leicester may be reluctant to sell - with reports suggesting fellow centre back Wesley Fofana is a target for Chelsea.
The Sun
James Maddison to be ‘offered’ new Leicester City contract after Newcastle United bid ‘rejected’
The latest Leicester City transfer news as the midfielder is reportedly subject of interest from Newcastle United.
Leicester City midfielder James Maddison is reportedly set to be offered a new contract with the club, as City look to keep hold of one of their key players.
The 25-year-old was in the best form of his career last season after recovering from a dip in confidence at the start of the campaign. His form led to him being named as the club’s player of the season as voted for by supporters. He finished the season with a career high 18 goals and 12 assists, and had found the net in each of the last four Premier League matches. He’ll look to continue that run when City host Brentford in the season opener at the King Power Stadium next Sunday.
His performances led to raised eyebrows when he was left out of the latest England squad by manager Gareth Southgate. Maddison has the first few months of the season to convince the Three Lions boss to included him in the squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
As well as international whispers, Maddison’s performances led to some talk over his future. The Telegraph reports that City have rejected a £40 million offer from Newcastle United for the playmaker this week.
As reported by the Daily Mail , City are ‘set to offer’ the player a new deal at the King Power Stadium, two years after he signed his current contract. That deal runs until 2024, meaning that Maddison is entering the final two years.
Securing the midfielder’s future at the club is said to be a ‘priority’ for City, ahead of what could be a big year for Maddison. Videos of early pre-season showed him leading the running drills as he looked to continue from where he left off last season.
Following the friendly against sister club OH Leuven, where Maddison’s quick thinking led to an equalising goal, City boss Brendan Rodgers said that the player was “the best I’ve seen him, in the three-and-a-half years I’ve been at Leicester.”
“He looks now really physically strong, technically confident and tactically, his view of the game is outstanding”
Leicester Mercury
The latest Leicester City transfer news as the midfielder is reportedly subject of interest from Newcastle United.
Leicester City midfielder James Maddison is reportedly set to be offered a new contract with the club, as City look to keep hold of one of their key players.
The 25-year-old was in the best form of his career last season after recovering from a dip in confidence at the start of the campaign. His form led to him being named as the club’s player of the season as voted for by supporters. He finished the season with a career high 18 goals and 12 assists, and had found the net in each of the last four Premier League matches. He’ll look to continue that run when City host Brentford in the season opener at the King Power Stadium next Sunday.
His performances led to raised eyebrows when he was left out of the latest England squad by manager Gareth Southgate. Maddison has the first few months of the season to convince the Three Lions boss to included him in the squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
As well as international whispers, Maddison’s performances led to some talk over his future. The Telegraph reports that City have rejected a £40 million offer from Newcastle United for the playmaker this week.
As reported by the Daily Mail , City are ‘set to offer’ the player a new deal at the King Power Stadium, two years after he signed his current contract. That deal runs until 2024, meaning that Maddison is entering the final two years.
Securing the midfielder’s future at the club is said to be a ‘priority’ for City, ahead of what could be a big year for Maddison. Videos of early pre-season showed him leading the running drills as he looked to continue from where he left off last season.
Following the friendly against sister club OH Leuven, where Maddison’s quick thinking led to an equalising goal, City boss Brendan Rodgers said that the player was “the best I’ve seen him, in the three-and-a-half years I’ve been at Leicester.”
“He looks now really physically strong, technically confident and tactically, his view of the game is outstanding”
Leicester Mercury
Leicester reject £40m bid from Newcastle for midfielder James Maddison
Newcastle are now deciding whether to make an improved offer for the midfielder, with Leicester believed to value Maddison at closer to £60m
Leicester have rejected a £40m bid from Newcastle for James Maddison.
Newcastle are now deciding whether to make an improved offer for the midfielder, with Leicester believed to value Maddison at closer to £60m.
Eddie Howe remains keen to strengthen his squad despite some setbacks in the transfer market this summer, having been rebuffed in their attempts to sign Everton midfielder Anthony Gordon, while French striker Hugo Ekitike opted for a move to Paris Saint-Germain instead of Newcastle.
But Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers could be determined to retain the services of Maddison, who produced some impressive displays in the closing months of the season after he dropped out of contention for the England squad following a dip in form.
With defender Wesley Fofana attracting interest from Chelsea, Rodgers will be reluctant to allow key members of his squad to depart before the start of the new campaign next weekend.
Sky Sports
Newcastle are now deciding whether to make an improved offer for the midfielder, with Leicester believed to value Maddison at closer to £60m
Leicester have rejected a £40m bid from Newcastle for James Maddison.
Newcastle are now deciding whether to make an improved offer for the midfielder, with Leicester believed to value Maddison at closer to £60m.
Eddie Howe remains keen to strengthen his squad despite some setbacks in the transfer market this summer, having been rebuffed in their attempts to sign Everton midfielder Anthony Gordon, while French striker Hugo Ekitike opted for a move to Paris Saint-Germain instead of Newcastle.
But Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers could be determined to retain the services of Maddison, who produced some impressive displays in the closing months of the season after he dropped out of contention for the England squad following a dip in form.
With defender Wesley Fofana attracting interest from Chelsea, Rodgers will be reluctant to allow key members of his squad to depart before the start of the new campaign next weekend.
Sky Sports
Why Kasper Schmeichel could leave Leicester City and what would happen next
Reports in France claim the goalkeeper has agreed to join Nice and will be allowed to move on a free transfer if City are able to bring in a replacement
Leicester City have reached a decisive moment in their transfer window and in their season with the future of captain and number one Kasper Schmeichel on the line.
L’Equipe are reporting that Schmeichel has agreed to join French side Nice and that a free transfer to Ligue 1 is only dependent on City finding a replacement. This may seem like a bombshell, but it has not come out of the blue. It has been a possibility for months.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has long been requesting a shake-up of his squad and the most significant way to do that would be to sell a player who is not only the club captain and longest-serving squad member, but also a huge influence in the dressing room and one of the highest wage earners. But given those factors, and given Schmeichel’s standing, it had the potential to be a difficult move.
The first clues emerged in May, when Danny Ward was handed his Premier League debut for the club nearly four years after his arrival from Liverpool. It ended Schmeichel’s appearance streak in the top flight at 149 games, with Rodgers saying Ward needed to play “for the health of the group”.
Later that month it emerged that City had been scouring the goalkeeper market for potential options. The club do look into the future, and with Schmeichel entering the final 12 months of his contract, it was feasible that City were merely planning ahead for a changeover next summer.
Interest in Brighton’s Robert Sanchez was significant in that the Spaniard comes for crosses more often than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League. With a terrible set-piece record the main reason for City’s downfall last season, and with a goalkeeper in Schmeichel who prefers to stay on his line, moving for Sanchez would be directly addressing a big problem.
No team had a higher percentage of goals conceded from set-pieces (34 per cent) last season, nor a higher number of goals conceded from crosses (15). When Ward played against Watford, he claimed three crosses. Schmeichel only claimed three crosses in total in his 15 outings before the Welshman’s debut.
Schmeichel’s late return to pre-season, the captain the only first-team player not to be involved at the camp at Evian this month, prompted further questions over his future. Rodgers’ explanation that the 35-year-old was afforded more time off because he was due a big season for club and country, with the World Cup to come in the winter, did not stack up when City have plenty of other players very likely to be representing their nations in Qatar.
Publicly, Rodgers has said he expected Schmeichel would be here for the upcoming campaign. Speaking in May, and asked if Schmeichel would be bidding farewell to the club in the last game of the season against Southampton, Rodgers said: "I don’t think so. I think he’s very happy here.
"Naturally he’s getting to the age where he can see the finishing line a little bit. In my conversations with him, he’s very happy. He’s got a year to go.
"It’s important for him and for us he’s in the best condition he can possibly be in. You’ve seen with Wardy that there’s a challenge there. I think he wants to be here, I think he wants to continue the fight in his career here. Up until now, he’s had a fantastic career."
Kasper Schmeichel kicks clear during Leicester City's meeting with Southampton (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)The Dane’s own sign-off last season – predicting "better things to come next season for us" – suggested he was planning to see out his contract at the club too. It always felt that it would be Schmeichel who determined when his City career would be over, having indicated he may like to move elsewhere for the final few years before he hangs up his gloves.
But now it seems it may be the club, not the player, making the decision. Because for a window where there has been very little movement at City, Schmeichel’s departure would be significant. While at 35 and with one year left on his contract, he is never going to fetch a huge fee, getting his wages off the books will provide the club with more room to manoeuvre as they look to bring players in. City have one of the highest wage-to-turnover ratios in the Premier League, and so it has to be a key consideration in their recruitment.
But, while Schmeichel departing would free up finances, City are likely to want to bring in a new goalkeeper as his replacement. While Rodgers has referred to Ward as his ‘other number one’, the Wales international is currently out injured. Daniel Iversen has promise and won player of the year at Preston last summer, but has made errors in pre-season.
As well as Brighton’s Sanchez, City have been linked with Benfica’s Greek international goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, and so Schmeichel’s future does seem dependent on City being able to recruit a new number one. Failure in that process would give Schmeichel a chance to stay, but with the situation having reached this point, there may be tension there that hangs over City's campaign.
If Schmeichel was to go, there would need to be a passing of the armband too, but vice-captain Jonny Evans is a key figure for Rodgers and it would not be a difficult process, nor one that affects the squad dynamic too greatly, to name the Northern Irish centre-back as permanent skipper. Jamie Vardy, Youri Tielemans, James Maddison, and Marc Albrighton form the rest of the leadership group, while Rodgers has already named Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as a potential future captain. There are options there.
And because it would free up finances on the wage bill, it may be the first domino for City in the transfer window, enabling them to start signing players in other areas. Time is on their side regarding the market, with five weeks to go until it closes, but not in terms of the Premier League season. City won’t want doubts over where they stand with their number one going into the first game against Brentford in just under a fortnight’s time.
Leicester Mercury
Reports in France claim the goalkeeper has agreed to join Nice and will be allowed to move on a free transfer if City are able to bring in a replacement
Leicester City have reached a decisive moment in their transfer window and in their season with the future of captain and number one Kasper Schmeichel on the line.
L’Equipe are reporting that Schmeichel has agreed to join French side Nice and that a free transfer to Ligue 1 is only dependent on City finding a replacement. This may seem like a bombshell, but it has not come out of the blue. It has been a possibility for months.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has long been requesting a shake-up of his squad and the most significant way to do that would be to sell a player who is not only the club captain and longest-serving squad member, but also a huge influence in the dressing room and one of the highest wage earners. But given those factors, and given Schmeichel’s standing, it had the potential to be a difficult move.
The first clues emerged in May, when Danny Ward was handed his Premier League debut for the club nearly four years after his arrival from Liverpool. It ended Schmeichel’s appearance streak in the top flight at 149 games, with Rodgers saying Ward needed to play “for the health of the group”.
Later that month it emerged that City had been scouring the goalkeeper market for potential options. The club do look into the future, and with Schmeichel entering the final 12 months of his contract, it was feasible that City were merely planning ahead for a changeover next summer.
Interest in Brighton’s Robert Sanchez was significant in that the Spaniard comes for crosses more often than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League. With a terrible set-piece record the main reason for City’s downfall last season, and with a goalkeeper in Schmeichel who prefers to stay on his line, moving for Sanchez would be directly addressing a big problem.
No team had a higher percentage of goals conceded from set-pieces (34 per cent) last season, nor a higher number of goals conceded from crosses (15). When Ward played against Watford, he claimed three crosses. Schmeichel only claimed three crosses in total in his 15 outings before the Welshman’s debut.
Schmeichel’s late return to pre-season, the captain the only first-team player not to be involved at the camp at Evian this month, prompted further questions over his future. Rodgers’ explanation that the 35-year-old was afforded more time off because he was due a big season for club and country, with the World Cup to come in the winter, did not stack up when City have plenty of other players very likely to be representing their nations in Qatar.
Publicly, Rodgers has said he expected Schmeichel would be here for the upcoming campaign. Speaking in May, and asked if Schmeichel would be bidding farewell to the club in the last game of the season against Southampton, Rodgers said: "I don’t think so. I think he’s very happy here.
"Naturally he’s getting to the age where he can see the finishing line a little bit. In my conversations with him, he’s very happy. He’s got a year to go.
"It’s important for him and for us he’s in the best condition he can possibly be in. You’ve seen with Wardy that there’s a challenge there. I think he wants to be here, I think he wants to continue the fight in his career here. Up until now, he’s had a fantastic career."
Kasper Schmeichel kicks clear during Leicester City's meeting with Southampton (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)The Dane’s own sign-off last season – predicting "better things to come next season for us" – suggested he was planning to see out his contract at the club too. It always felt that it would be Schmeichel who determined when his City career would be over, having indicated he may like to move elsewhere for the final few years before he hangs up his gloves.
But now it seems it may be the club, not the player, making the decision. Because for a window where there has been very little movement at City, Schmeichel’s departure would be significant. While at 35 and with one year left on his contract, he is never going to fetch a huge fee, getting his wages off the books will provide the club with more room to manoeuvre as they look to bring players in. City have one of the highest wage-to-turnover ratios in the Premier League, and so it has to be a key consideration in their recruitment.
But, while Schmeichel departing would free up finances, City are likely to want to bring in a new goalkeeper as his replacement. While Rodgers has referred to Ward as his ‘other number one’, the Wales international is currently out injured. Daniel Iversen has promise and won player of the year at Preston last summer, but has made errors in pre-season.
As well as Brighton’s Sanchez, City have been linked with Benfica’s Greek international goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, and so Schmeichel’s future does seem dependent on City being able to recruit a new number one. Failure in that process would give Schmeichel a chance to stay, but with the situation having reached this point, there may be tension there that hangs over City's campaign.
If Schmeichel was to go, there would need to be a passing of the armband too, but vice-captain Jonny Evans is a key figure for Rodgers and it would not be a difficult process, nor one that affects the squad dynamic too greatly, to name the Northern Irish centre-back as permanent skipper. Jamie Vardy, Youri Tielemans, James Maddison, and Marc Albrighton form the rest of the leadership group, while Rodgers has already named Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as a potential future captain. There are options there.
And because it would free up finances on the wage bill, it may be the first domino for City in the transfer window, enabling them to start signing players in other areas. Time is on their side regarding the market, with five weeks to go until it closes, but not in terms of the Premier League season. City won’t want doubts over where they stand with their number one going into the first game against Brentford in just under a fortnight’s time.
Leicester Mercury
NICE are plotting a move for Leicester star Kasper Schmeichel, according to reports.
The French outfit are seeking a replacement for Walter Benitez following his move to PSV and have their eye on the Foxes goalkeeper.
Schmeichel, 35, has spent the last 11 years at Leicester and has won the Premier League and the FA Cup during that spell.
But he is believed to be open to the move according to French outlet L'Equipe.
Schmeichel is in the final year of his contract and is said to want to leave on amicable terms.
Leicester need to sell in order to balance the books too - Brendan Rodgers' hands are tied in terms of bringing players in until there are outgoings
One player Rodgers has his eye on his Robert Sanchez who would arrive as Schmeichel's replacement.
Schmeichel is one of Leicester’s top earners on around £130,000-a-week and he is set to hold talks over his future at the Midlands club.
Leicester will likely try to persuade the Denmark international to take a pay cut and potentially look to offload the shot-stopper if an agreement cannot be reached.
The Foxes could also cash in on Youri Tielemans this summer with the Belgian in the last year of his contract.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with the midfielder's signature this summer and could wait for Leicester to reduce their £30million asking price.
With Leicester needing to raise funds they could reportedly be open to selling the likes of James Maddison, Wesley Fofana and Harvey Barnes later in the window.
The Sun
The French outfit are seeking a replacement for Walter Benitez following his move to PSV and have their eye on the Foxes goalkeeper.
Schmeichel, 35, has spent the last 11 years at Leicester and has won the Premier League and the FA Cup during that spell.
But he is believed to be open to the move according to French outlet L'Equipe.
Schmeichel is in the final year of his contract and is said to want to leave on amicable terms.
Leicester need to sell in order to balance the books too - Brendan Rodgers' hands are tied in terms of bringing players in until there are outgoings
One player Rodgers has his eye on his Robert Sanchez who would arrive as Schmeichel's replacement.
Schmeichel is one of Leicester’s top earners on around £130,000-a-week and he is set to hold talks over his future at the Midlands club.
Leicester will likely try to persuade the Denmark international to take a pay cut and potentially look to offload the shot-stopper if an agreement cannot be reached.
The Foxes could also cash in on Youri Tielemans this summer with the Belgian in the last year of his contract.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with the midfielder's signature this summer and could wait for Leicester to reduce their £30million asking price.
With Leicester needing to raise funds they could reportedly be open to selling the likes of James Maddison, Wesley Fofana and Harvey Barnes later in the window.
The Sun
Pre-Season Winning Run Continues With Preston Success
Leicester City made it three friendly wins in a row with a 2-1 success over Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday.
Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes found the net for City inside the opening 18 minutes in Lancashire, before Ali McCann's deficit-halving strike in the second half, but it was the visitors who emerged with the victory in their fifth outing of pre-season.
After one Foxes squad sealed a 3-1 win at Derby County earlier in the day, manager Brendan Rodgers deployed another strong XI in the North West, with captain Kasper Schmeichel's maiden appearance of the summer among the team-news headlines.
On 11 minutes, Wesley Fofana's defensive header was the starting point of the move which led to their opener. Midfield general Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall soon took over, outmuscling Alan Browne, then threading a through-ball into Leicester's No.9, lurking on the edge of Preston's 18-yard box.
It was vintage Vardy, too, as the 35-year-old calmly stroked the ball beyond Freddie Woodman. A characteristically playful goal celebration followed.
Leicester were dominating the early proceedings against Ryan Lowe's Sky Bet Championship side. Perhaps out of frustration, Ryan Ledson earned an early yellow card – a rarity in pre-season – for a late challenge on James Maddison. City, though, remained composed and quickly doubled their lead.
Dewsbury-Hall, again, was in the thick of the build-up. It was his smart pirouette which evaded Bambo Diaby on the flank, before skidding a perfectly-weighted pass into Barnes. There was still plenty to do for City's No.7, who sheltered it assuredly and finished well for his third goal of the summer.
Rodgers' men were on control, holding the lion's share of possession for the entirely of the first half. There were chances for more goals as well. Ricardo Pereira's cross was headed wide of the post by Vardy. Albrighton then blazed over after Vardy ferried Barnes' low ball into his path.
An otherworldly first touch from Maddison later bought the No.10 time in the area, with only the ankles of Liam Lindsay preventing his low drive from testing Woodman. Ledson's block also kept the score down, as Barnes stuck a boot onto Albrighton's fizzed delivery across the Lilywhites' goalmouth.
Preston, who start their eighth consecutive second-tier campaign with a visit to Wigan Athletic next weekend, found another gear early in the second half. And the arrears were cut in half within five minutes of the restart as Andrew Hughes' floated cross was nodded past Schmeichel by McCann.
City were unlucky not to notch a third on 52 minutes. Newly-capped England international James Justin slipped the ball into Barnes, who darted past Lindsay on the byline, cutting it back into the six-yard box. Woodman, though, got there first before Vardy could pull the trigger.
Shortly afterwards, on the hour-mark, the ball grazed Fofana's forehead following superb wing-play from the evergreen Albrighton. Daniel Iversen, Preston's Player of the Season at the end of his loan spell from City last term, was then introduced to rapturous applause, replacing Schmeichel in the net.
Ayoze Pérez, on the other hand, was also brought on, with Albrighton the man to make way. Both sides will have felt aggrieved not to find the net soon after as Preston substitute Jordan Storey's powerful drive was instinctively clawed out of the near post by Iversen.
Rodgers' Premier League visitors countered, with flowing one-touch football involving Justin, Dewsbury-Hall and then Vardy, who hit a first-time effort over the bar. They got even closer when Maddison cut through the Preston defence and located Barnes. He could only find the base of the post, though.
That could have cost City had the linesman not raised his flag when Emil Riis Jakobsen – the hosts' top scorer last season – placed a loose ball past Iversen. While Leicester's attacking play impressed throughout, the latter stages offered a pre-season test of their defensive mettle too.
With Lowe's home side intent on rescuing a positive result just one week out from the outset of their league campaign, the Foxes' backline had to stand up. The competitiveness of the clash also showed as Storey, Benjamin Whiteman and Ched Evans all earned cautions in the final half an hour.
With the entirety of Leicester's back four playing the full 90 in Preston, it was a challenge they met. It could have been better, as Barnes fired straight at Woodman inside added time, but City nevertheless made it two wins from two on Saturday. Just a fortnight to go until the new Premier League season.
The sight of Jamie Vardy pouncing onto a through ball and bulging the net has been a frequent spectacle for the Blue Army over past seasons. To see the 35-year-old's potency on show in pre-season will be particularly exciting for the Foxes faithful ahead of the new campaign.
LCFC.COM
Leicester City made it three friendly wins in a row with a 2-1 success over Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday.
Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes found the net for City inside the opening 18 minutes in Lancashire, before Ali McCann's deficit-halving strike in the second half, but it was the visitors who emerged with the victory in their fifth outing of pre-season.
After one Foxes squad sealed a 3-1 win at Derby County earlier in the day, manager Brendan Rodgers deployed another strong XI in the North West, with captain Kasper Schmeichel's maiden appearance of the summer among the team-news headlines.
On 11 minutes, Wesley Fofana's defensive header was the starting point of the move which led to their opener. Midfield general Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall soon took over, outmuscling Alan Browne, then threading a through-ball into Leicester's No.9, lurking on the edge of Preston's 18-yard box.
It was vintage Vardy, too, as the 35-year-old calmly stroked the ball beyond Freddie Woodman. A characteristically playful goal celebration followed.
Leicester were dominating the early proceedings against Ryan Lowe's Sky Bet Championship side. Perhaps out of frustration, Ryan Ledson earned an early yellow card – a rarity in pre-season – for a late challenge on James Maddison. City, though, remained composed and quickly doubled their lead.
Dewsbury-Hall, again, was in the thick of the build-up. It was his smart pirouette which evaded Bambo Diaby on the flank, before skidding a perfectly-weighted pass into Barnes. There was still plenty to do for City's No.7, who sheltered it assuredly and finished well for his third goal of the summer.
Rodgers' men were on control, holding the lion's share of possession for the entirely of the first half. There were chances for more goals as well. Ricardo Pereira's cross was headed wide of the post by Vardy. Albrighton then blazed over after Vardy ferried Barnes' low ball into his path.
An otherworldly first touch from Maddison later bought the No.10 time in the area, with only the ankles of Liam Lindsay preventing his low drive from testing Woodman. Ledson's block also kept the score down, as Barnes stuck a boot onto Albrighton's fizzed delivery across the Lilywhites' goalmouth.
Preston, who start their eighth consecutive second-tier campaign with a visit to Wigan Athletic next weekend, found another gear early in the second half. And the arrears were cut in half within five minutes of the restart as Andrew Hughes' floated cross was nodded past Schmeichel by McCann.
City were unlucky not to notch a third on 52 minutes. Newly-capped England international James Justin slipped the ball into Barnes, who darted past Lindsay on the byline, cutting it back into the six-yard box. Woodman, though, got there first before Vardy could pull the trigger.
Shortly afterwards, on the hour-mark, the ball grazed Fofana's forehead following superb wing-play from the evergreen Albrighton. Daniel Iversen, Preston's Player of the Season at the end of his loan spell from City last term, was then introduced to rapturous applause, replacing Schmeichel in the net.
Ayoze Pérez, on the other hand, was also brought on, with Albrighton the man to make way. Both sides will have felt aggrieved not to find the net soon after as Preston substitute Jordan Storey's powerful drive was instinctively clawed out of the near post by Iversen.
Rodgers' Premier League visitors countered, with flowing one-touch football involving Justin, Dewsbury-Hall and then Vardy, who hit a first-time effort over the bar. They got even closer when Maddison cut through the Preston defence and located Barnes. He could only find the base of the post, though.
That could have cost City had the linesman not raised his flag when Emil Riis Jakobsen – the hosts' top scorer last season – placed a loose ball past Iversen. While Leicester's attacking play impressed throughout, the latter stages offered a pre-season test of their defensive mettle too.
With Lowe's home side intent on rescuing a positive result just one week out from the outset of their league campaign, the Foxes' backline had to stand up. The competitiveness of the clash also showed as Storey, Benjamin Whiteman and Ched Evans all earned cautions in the final half an hour.
With the entirety of Leicester's back four playing the full 90 in Preston, it was a challenge they met. It could have been better, as Barnes fired straight at Woodman inside added time, but City nevertheless made it two wins from two on Saturday. Just a fortnight to go until the new Premier League season.
The sight of Jamie Vardy pouncing onto a through ball and bulging the net has been a frequent spectacle for the Blue Army over past seasons. To see the 35-year-old's potency on show in pre-season will be particularly exciting for the Foxes faithful ahead of the new campaign.
LCFC.COM
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