Back-to-back wins have become something of a novelty for Leicester City fans to enjoy, but they can finally celebrate such an accomplishment after their side dealt with relegation rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers relatively easily. Two goals in each half meant Brendan Rodgers’ men climbed not only off the bottom of the Premier League table, but out of the drop zone too.
The Foxes now lie 16th in the division’s standings, and with just three fixtures before the winter break for the World Cup, will be hoping to use this momentum to drive further away from those below them and towards the top half. Next time out, they face Manchester City, in what will surely be the season’s toughest test so far, before rounding off the first spell of Premier League action with visits to Everton and West Ham United.
Jamie Vardy will be relishing the opportunity to get at opposition defences, after finally breaking his uncharacteristic goal drought at Molineux, the veteran netting the final goal in a 4-0 victory from a Timothy Castagne cross. After returning from suspension for five cautions, James Maddison did his faint hopes of encroaching into Gareth Southgate’s tournament plans no harm as he put the game beyond doubt with the third.
It was an assured and accomplished victory, which took some pressure off of Brendan Rodgers, and heaped it all on Wolves, who are now only off the bottom on goal difference. Here at Foxes of Leicester, we decided to deconstruct three things we learned from this Sunday afternoon demolition.
Quality beats quantity
If any aspiring coach or football analyst needed an example to perfectly demonstrate how important efficiency in chance creation and quality of chances created were, then they should be directed to this fixture. At the time of City’s fourth goal, Wolves had taken 21 shots at Danny Ward’s net, while the visitors tested the home goalkeeper exactly four times.
Vardy’s maiden netting for the campaign was comfortably the best chance either side mustered throughout the 90, and the hosts, for all their efforts rarely had Foxes hearts in mouths at the prospect of conceding. Yes, Youri Tielemans’ wonder strike came at a time where Wolves were on top, but thereafter there was only one side in control.
Brendan Rodgers has always been keen on ball retention, and with that comes being averse to taking risks in possession. Goals have never been the issue for his side this season, with the attacking options he has available, so it’s no wonder he’s confident enough to implement a style where efficiency in front of goal is paramount to achieving results.
Wolves are in serious trouble
It’s not uncommon knowledge that the Molineux men have been in a serious state of decline since the turn of the year. This time twelve months ago, there was genuine speculation that Bruno Lage’s men might have made a challenge for the Europa League spots, if not the Champions League.
But even then, it was clear that their form and league position was at odds with the stacks of data that suggested they ought to have been much further down the league. Jose Sa was wildly over performing, making many more saves than anybody had expected.
This time around, it’s fair to say they’ve been slightly unlucky, in that their marquee signing, Sasa Kalajdzic suffered an ACL injury on debut, leaving them without a striker after loaning out youngster Fabio Silva. Diego Costa was hastily rushed in through the emergency door, but is yet to net, and if it wasn’t for their goalkeeper saving penalties against Fulham and Nottingham Forest, Wolves could be five adrift at the bottom of the table.
This could be a negative turning point for the West Midlands side, who this week announced that caretaker boss Steve Davis was staying in post until 2023, a snap reaction to the news that Queens Park Rangers manager Mick Beale decided to turn them down. As the third and fourth City goals rounded off proceedings, the atmosphere turned nasty, with home fans leaving in their droves and others shouting about the board.
Wout Faes starting to look the part for Leicester City
When a new acquisition arrives at a club, it’s very easy to fall into the temptation of making instinctive conclusions based on a small amount of minutes about their ability. Five games full matches into his time at the King Power, there’s now a big enough sample size to assess the impact that Wout Faes has had.
Before the Belgian’s arrival late on in the transfer window, there was a full-on crisis brewing at Leicester City, which was exacerbated after his first outing, where he was part of a defence that shipped an unforgivable six goals away at Tottenham. This showing, combined with his errors for both goals in defeat at Bournemouth have meant it has not been the smoothest of starts to Premier League life for the former Reims man.
However, the other three fixtures in which he has played have seen City keep their only three clean sheets of the season. Amidst all of the chaos in late August with Wesley Fofana’s antics and all the embarrassing defeats, Faes’ arrival might just have signalled a semblance of calmness and stability, although we didn’t know it at the time.
We didn’t know it at all, partly because most of the Youtube compilations with the defender showed him mercilessly going through opposition attackers during his time in Ligue 1. What Faes’ inclusion in the starting eleven has done is bring out some confidence in those around him – James Justin looks calmer and more assured, while Timothy Castagne appears to be playing more adventurously knowing he has a safe presence behind him.
The aggression still exists in his game, as referenced against Wolves, but it has been channeled in a positive way – coming tight and manhandling his opponent when necessary, and bailing out his fellow defenders with a strong but fair challenge. Mistakes will always come, but his playing style will always endear him to City supporters giving the impression that he is playing for the shirt.