Brentford 0-1 Leicester, FA Cup 4th round: Match report

It may have seemed as though Leicester City allowed many Brentford chances on goal in the Foxes’ win, but strangely it seemed part of the plan.

Leicester City were 1-0 winners at Brentford’s Griffin Park, in Saturday’s FA Cup early kick-off. It was a fair scoreline for a particularly odd, but less intense cup clash without an abundance of drama or class.

Suitably, the one absolutely world-class moment was the deciding factor. To their credit the Bees attempted to play a kind of passing style match, yet their personnel couldn’t manage that gulf in class. Nor could their forwards capitalize on any defensive mistakes or OK passages of attack.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Special is a word always attributable to seeing a youth player make the jump to featuring with the first team. The classy midfield man Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is the latest addition to the side.

Dewsbury-Hall is comparable to an on-form Danny Drinkwater or fit Matty James. He played reassuringly comfortably: making passes in central areas and gliding around neatly. Described as “stylish” by Leicester Mercury, the outlet also quotes Brendan Rodgers on the accomplished performance. Expect to see more of the 21-year-old in the next round of the FA Cup.

Leicester City defence repellant

Excuse the magnet analogy, but here goes: Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal had the appearance of opposite poles attracting the ball towards the net, during the wonderfully flowing move.

Whereas, from early in the clash whenever Brentford attacked, it didn’t feel like they would score. Maybe that was just my thinking, but it’s hard not to reference similar poles repelling, again magnets, but the opposite.

Obviously that wasn’t the case, but it is difficult trying to explain that feeling – if you watched the game on television or in person, maybe you know what Foxes of Leicester means.

Evaluation

While the Bees had quite a few shots, only three were on target. However, City always seemed in control: soaking up all of Brentwood’s play, except for the odd all right chance. An exceptional move gave the East Midlanders their clinching moment, in a battle harder fought than necessary.

Tighter passing along with more direct effort from players like Demarai Gray would’ve helped the cause. Ayoze Perez was also drifting out of the contest a bit, although he’s been in fine form in the Premier League recently.

With those elements improved, the next round could be another formality. In all honesty, it appeared as though Brendan Rodgers instructed his men to play the patient game: wait for counters and herd them by keeping a compact unit.

A home game against mediocre opposition would be nice in the fifth round. Even if they’re decent, this writer doesn’t mind. Just get us back at the King Power Stadium – where never seem to get drawn in cup competition of late.