As the dust settles on a whirlwind season for Leicester City, now is the time to reflect and take stock of everything that has happened.
As a Foxes fan since 2009, there have been dizzying highs of title wins, but also tragic moments such as Yann Kermogant’s infamous panenka and D**ney. This season is a further continuation of this trend with last-minute disappointment, but also historic success.
After the events of Sunday, it feels strange how divided LCFC Twitter became, with fans generally either taking the season as a success through the lens of perspective or as a catastrophic failure. In reality, despite the late collapse, LCFC can be proud despite failing to secure Champions League football.
After all, Rodgers’ team only have the 10th biggest budget and 8th biggest wage bill, yet are rubbing shoulders with and rattling much bigger clubs.
Without further ado, here is a round-up of the campaign’s recent events. We begin with a super September for Leicester City, including a particular by bad day for Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola.
A super September for Leicester City
Monthly record (games played-wins-draws-losses) : 4-3-0-1; GF: 12; GA: 6
Overall league record: 3-3-0-0; GF: 12; GA: 4
League position at end of the month: 1st
Monthly grade: A*
Results:
West Brom 0-3 Leicester
Leicester 4-2 Burnley
Leicester 0-2 Arsenal (Carabao Cup)
Manchester City 2-5 Leicester
After a shortened hiatus due to COVID-19 disruption, Leicester City kicked off the new season away at the Hawthorns. Despite a slow start, the Foxes found their rhythm in the second half with new signing Castagne opening the scoring. After this, Jamie Vardy helped himself to two penalties, continuing his excellent record against the Baggies.
This result was followed up by a thrilling victory against Burnley. LCFC was forced to show character to come from behind after former Fox Chris Wood continued his excellent goal record against his ex-employers.
Unfortunately, the 100% record in all competitions was ended by Arsenal in the cup although Leicester sending out a much-changed side indicated where priorities lay.
The story was much different in the league with a famous victory achieved to round off the month. Beating Manchester City and all their riches is no mean feat, yet the Foxes managed to do so, scoring FIVE goals (although three were penalties).
Thus, the Foxes went into the international break top of the table with a 100% start in the league. It was only three games in, nevertheless, it was long enough to get some fans dreaming once more. Could it really be happening again?
October
Monthly record: 5-3-0-2; GF: 6; GA: 5
Overall league record: 6-4-0-2; GF: 13; GA: 8
Cumulative record (all competitions): 9-6-0-3; GF: 18; GA: 11
League position at end of the month: 4th
Monthly grade: C+
Results
Leicester 0-3 West Ham United
Leicester 0-1 Aston Villa
Leicester 3-0 Zorya Luhansk (Europa League)
Arsenal 0-1 Leicester
AEK Athens 1-2 Leicester (Europa League)
A mixed month for the Foxes saw them start October with two defeats. The first was totally deserved, with LCFC failing to even muster a single shot on target. Furthermore, the defence for the first time was tormented by potent West Ham counter-attacks. The second was a scrappy affair, decided by a moment of magic from Villa man Ross Barkley.
Things improved from here with three straight wins, two in Europe at home to Zorya and away at AEK Athens, with the second being played on a laughably poor quality surface.
Sandwiched between these games was a spirited victory at the Emirates, with the Foxes winning away at the Gunners for the first time since 1973.
Despite the positive end to the month, the grade reflects a slightly above average set of results, with the Europa League games being against significantly weaker opposition, thus reducing their magnitude.
After all, Leicester City are expected to beat teams such as the Hammers, with all due respect. Oh, the irony of this statement would only become too clear in later months.
November
Monthly record: 6-3-1-2; GF: 13; GA: 9
Overall league record: 10-6-0-4; GF: 19; GA: 14
Cumulative record (all competitions): 15-9-1-5; GF: 31; GA: 20
League position at end of the month: 4th
Monthly grade: B
Results
Leeds United 1-4 Leicester
Leicester 4-0 SC Braga (Europa League)
Leicester 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Liverpool 3-0 Leicester
SC Braga 3-3 Leicester (Europa League)
Leicester 1-2 Fulham
Another month containing the good, bad and the ugly. A devastating counter-attacking display against the darlings of the Premier League in Leeds, and a narrow win against Wolves saw the Foxes ascend to the summit of the league once more.
However, this was tempered by a humbling reverse at Anfield as LCFC were comprehensively outclassed by a resurgent Liverpool side.
Subsequently, Rodgers’ outfit put in an unacceptable display against a Fulham side struggling at the bottom of the league. Conceding a penalty to a team who had missed their last three spot-kicks, made Leicester the butt of further jokes.
In Europe, the situation was much rosier. Braga, the top seeds of Leicester’s UEL group, were comfortably dispatched at the KPS, aided by a brace from an otherwise struggling Iheanacho.
In the reverse fixture at Braga’s magnificent Municipal stadium, a last-minute equaliser from Jamie Vardy saw City qualify for the knock-out stages dramatically, when defeat seemed almost certain.
Despite Leicester remaining in the Champions League spaces, issues were starting to rise with a worrying 3 defeats already at home indicative of Leicester’s inability to break down the deep block.