Pearson: It's A Start

Two stunning second half strikes from Danny Drinkwater and Jamie Vardy were enough to cancel out an unfortunate Sean St. Ledger own goal in the first period to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 - making it five opening day victories in the past six seasons for The Foxes.

The boss admitted that he was left frustrated at a scrappy first half display, but had some well-placed faith in the ability of his players to turn things around after the break.

“I was really disappointed that we didn’t set about the game in the way that I know we can,” revealed Pearson, who will now prepare his side for Capital One Cup action at Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night.

“I always talk about how well the players apply themselves, but we looked a little bit like we were waiting for things to happen [in the first half] and that’s something that we can’t do too often.

“[At half time] It’s always about trying to point out where we need to improve. Ultimately systems don’t win games, players win games, it’s about their desire to win and in the second half we were a lot better.

“I think we played to Jamie Vardy’s strengths in the second half. In the first half we played too much in front of them and Vards is at his best when he’s able to utilise his pace and work the opponents.

“Our pass selection was more positive in the second half. We had possession in the first half, but it was laboured and that can be frustrating as a striker.

“It’s nice to get off to a winning start, but that’s what it is, it’s a start. The points that you drop in August are just as costly and the ones you drop in April and May.

“We’ve got to give ourselves a good chance this year.”

Worryingly for City, defender Zak Whitbread left the field on a stretcher in the 18th minute when he took an accidental blow to the head at a Leicester corner.

Pearson added: “He’s okay now, but it was a head injury with concussion. I’ve not had a chance to speak to Dave Rennie (Club physio) about the extent of it, so we’ll have more of an idea about that on Monday.”