Leicester City faced Coventry at the King Power Stadium for the first M69 Derby in over a decade. The Foxes would be hoping to come away with three points, but with the bragging rights to the M69 at stake, Coventry wouldn’t go down without putting up a fight.
In pre-season Coventry didn’t lose a game. Drawing 1-1 with Shrewsbury and wins coming against Forest Green Rovers, MK Dons and Exeter City, it’s hard to judge how good they would play against City as all these sides are leagues below. After losing the play-off final at the end of last season and the big occasion of the Derby the Sky Blues were always going to put up a fight and be tough opposition.
Leicester started off on the front foot and look like a force to be reckoned with at times. When it worked Harry Winks would pick up the ball and make a forward attack time and time again, but the final product was lacking. Callum Doyle had a header at the back post turned away by Ben Wilson before Winks dived in to block a shot from Kasey Palmer. The first-half ended 0-0 with the Foxes looking the more dominant side.
Coventry came out on top and it wasn’t long before they found a way through. A simple corner, Leicester’s Achilles heel, the Sky Blues’ captain Kyle McFadzean got around Mads Hermansen and Wilfred Ndidi to head home for Coventry. The chances didn’t stop there for the visitors, Hermansen was forced to come out of his goal and spread his body to deny Matty Godden.
With frustration growing amongst the fans, Enzo Maresca brought on Dennis Praet and Kelechi Iheanacho. Just over ten minutes after coming on Praet made a brilliant cross for Dewsbury-Hall to connect with and head home for the Foxes. In the 87th minute, Stephy Mavididi slotted the ball into Dewsbury-Hall to fire the ball into the top corner of the Coventry net and allowed the King Power Stadium to erupt.
Leicester claimed their first victory in the Championship, but they’re a team that’s still incomplete. With more players to arrive, some still likely to depart and a new way of playing to adjust to, there’s more to come for the Foxes ahead of a long, yet exciting season. Here are our three Leicester City players that impressed against Coventry:
Leicester City midfielder Harry Winks
The former Tottenham midfielder seemed to be at the heart of every forward move and read the game well. The 27 year-old was central to the midfield and a vital part of the first-half. Passing was good and he did well defensively. Winks dropped off towards the end of the game where a couple of mistakes when passing the ball could’ve cost Leicester.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
This was potentially the 24 year-old’s best performance in a Leicester shirt. He had a poor start to the first-half, but grew into it as the game went on. “KDH” was energetic and found himself in the right places as well as playing an essential role in the build-up to attacking moves. I feel like he is going to be really important this season and if he stays will cause havoc in the Championship. The Shepshed boy was there when we needed him to head home with his first goal and an incredible shot into the top corner to steal the winner.
Mads Hermansen
The Danish international made some great saves and played well with the ball at his feet. If it wasn’t for him LCFC could’ve been 3/4 down. Distribution was good. It’s early, but he showed lots of potential a real up and coming player. Great recruitment from the Foxes, for £5m he is a bargain. The young goalkeeper shares traits with former Leicester City goalkeeper and current Danish number one Kasper Schmeichel. Coming out of goal and spreading his body to save the ball, it brings back fond memories, he’s definitely learnt from the best.