Leicester City may have finally arrived this season, they completed arguably their most complete team performance of the season and showcased their newfound defending prowess to compliment their devastating attack with a 4-0 demolition of struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers. So amongst all of the impressive performances, these were the ones that stood out for me.
Danny Ward of Leicester City
I was fighting in a pretty lonely ‘Danny Ward isn’t that bad’ corner earlier this season. The stats didn’t back me up as Ward registered some unwanted history-making statistics, but I stuck to my argument that the wide-open defending in front of him was leaving the Welshman consistently exposed. From the Nottingham Forest victory onwards it does seem like things have been improving and with this performance, Ward registered his fourth clean sheet in five games making decent saves in each of these matches.
Ward’s all-round game is massively improving and he put in a man-of-the-match performance batting away two excellent stops from Matheus Nunes and Daniel Podence at key points in the game with Wolves continuing to press throughout. His claims on crosses and corners were excellent throughout and the balance at which the defence worked in front of him helped him judge well when he needed to come off his line and offer support.
Wout Faes is proving to be a growing hit with Leicester supporters; he narrowly missed out on this top three. The Belgian’s assured play is helping Daniel Amartey and the full-backs on either side give Ward a structured defence in front of him.
The opening 20 minutes was the toughest test as Wolves swarmed forward with waves of attack, but Ward kept his composure well and stood up to his tests strongly as his confidence continued to grow. This is unprecedented territory for Ward having played so many top-flight games in a short space of time as a number-one keeper. The critics are getting quieter and Ward’s supporters are growing. Brendan Rodgers deserves credit for giving him time.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
After some excellent work in the Leeds United victory, Dewsbury-Hall looked out on his feet having exerted all of his energy for that win. With Dennis Praet impressing in an energetic role it seemed like the academy graduate might get a rest. When Praet was benched for the returning James Maddison there was much outcry, but with Maddison turning in another fantastic display and Youri Tielemans hitting an early goal-of-the-season contender, ‘KDH’ had to prove his worth in central midfield.
KDH’s box-to-box play was full of guts and guile again and his work in supporting Harvey Barnes down the left heralded the second goal of the game. His ability to carry the ball through the lines and not be smashed off it, is a welcome addition to a side that still needs to show it will not be bullied. He was subbed for the oncoming Praet at 62 minutes, to the rapturous applause of the LCFC faithful who appreciate the dynamism of their local lad.
Harvey Barnes
Barnes has been improving massively in recent weeks, but foxes fans all know he can do more, to reach the heights of his last scintillating form in early 2021. This game showed the England international was back to his best as he ran defenders ragged. He took the foul from Jonny early on and got him on a booking, this afforded him more space to dribble the ball forward without fear of being clipped.
Barnes then linked up well once again with Dewsbury-Hall, with a smart one-two before he finished off with a trademark side-foot finish. The former continued to torment down the left throughout helping create spaces in behind. He needs to sustain it throughout for longer but he is getting there and this performance could be a marker for even better to come. He needs to show this bravery and ruthlessness against a dangerous Manchester City next Saturday