Leicester 3-1 Norwich: 3 key things learned

A Stronger Mentality Returns!

Following the Bristol City defeat, the drop off in the level of performances had left many Leicester City fans alarmed, and facing the crushing realisation that the play-offs might be all that a seemingly incredible season was going to herald. Many of the players were underwhelmingly below-par and unable to muster much against a side that was sliding into mid-table obscurity. Going into this game many had already written off our prospects with an in-form Norwich side rolling into town, desperate to solidify their own play-off ambitions.

The foxes faithful started in buoyant mood, but the players seemed a little jaded in the early parts of the game. Then in the 20th minute, what we all feared would happen did. It was a clever corner involving shoving Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall away from the front post and playing a low cross into the near post for Gabriel Sara to slot in. The outrage that the fans are normally criticised for, never really came. But the reaction from the players did and the players grew as they took hold of the game and turned the result around.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall dragged the team forward inter-changing in the left-side of play and carrying the ball forward at every opportunity. The wingers played their part getting involved at many opportunities (more on which later), Wilfred Ndidi and Harry Winks looked strong and assured in midfield and the back-line with marauding defenders trying to support in forward areas continued to impress throughout. There was a fresh vibe to this Leicester City side, that had purpose and direction as they sought to get the result that could get their season back on track.

The only blot on this performance was the striker Patson Daka, who seemed oddly muted. Not only was he nowhere to be seen on the end of any cross or when gifted the ball through on goal only to mis-control, but his aggressive press never materialised as he meekly pushed towards opposing defenders with a half-hearted press. He was lucky to be given 77 minutes and should have been hauled off for Jamie Vardy much earlier. When Vardy did come on he did all the things Daka wasn't doing. Press, hold the ball up, link up play, and of course score a trademark goal. Vardy will be crucial in these final games as he continues to be the main man that can push the foxes to success

Wingers unleashed on Canaries

One of the main things the players are still accused of, is not being direct enough. But this is not the typical 'gerrit forward' complaint that thankfully seems to be dying out. No, this is more of a complaint about switching to the flanks quickly enough. In recent weeks, opposition players have resorted to a low block that is narrow and relies on nullifying spaces for the number eights (Currently Wilfried Ndidi and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall). But frequently both Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu are left in acres of space, until slow passes eventually find them, they are quickly crowded out.

Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard instead started bypassing their unnecessary midfield trickle passes and going direct to the wingers in space, much to the ironic cheers of the City faithful. But it made the threat of Enzo Maresca's men more direct and pushed the Canaries into backtracking. Fatawu was positive but his left foot finishing reflects more of a rugby player looking for conversions. So it was with much pleasure to see Stephy Mavididi starting to show more promise and final product after some barren weeks and performances. His jinking, weaving, arrogant play was much needed, with a swagger that adds something full-backs hate to go up against.

In the 33rd minute, Mavididi met a looping back post cross from Ndidi with a towering header back into Dewsbury-Hall who headed the ball in much to the delight of the home crowd. From the moment the second-half started, Mavididi was involved in the thick of the action and in the 60th minute after a blink-and-you-'ll-miss-it nutmeg, he curled a low shot into the bottom corner to send the home crowd into rapturous cheers. He could have had more when blasting a shot wide later but his work was done and appreciated when subbed late on, along with Fatawu. Incidentally, both James Justin and Yunus Akgun were the players used to replace the tiring wingers with Justin in particular proving more than effective. These subs will need to be considered more as the fixtures pile up and the legs tire in the last month of the season.

Every championship day is going to be up and down

Following this victory, the Foxes rose back to the top of the league, but hours later were down to second and then later on back down to third. It would be easy to be deflated following Ipswich and Leeds results as they both (Like LCFC) scored late goals to win. But those results should not puncture Leicester's good feeling. They needed this win and perform and to not worry about other results. With Sky Sports splicing the kickoff times between the three teams right through April, these moments will continue to play with our emotions. But as the dust settles on a dramatic bank holiday, one fact still currently remains, if Leicester win all of their fixtures till the end of the season they will win the league and be promoted.

Winning ensured that remained the case. Make sure you relax between each fixture, its going to be a hell of a stressful and exciting ride.