Beaglehole: Early Goals Cost Us

In their first Barclays U21 Premier League game of the season, debuting the new red and gold away kit, the Foxes conceded two goals in in the first nine minutes. 

After pulling two goals back either side of a third Everton strike, Beaglehole’s men couldn’t find the equaliser despite a handful of late opportunities. 

Speaking exclusively to Foxes Player, Beaglehole said: “We knew that they were a good side, they’ve got some very good players, one or two of those have featured in the Premier League so we knew it was going to be a tough game but you can’t give goals away like we did so early in the game. 

“We talked about keeping a clean sheet, period, for 90 minutes - the first five minutes is vital that you don’t give things away – after about a minute I think we were a goal down. 

“We conceded again in about eight minutes so you’re 2-0 down, could have gone possibly three but we weathered the storm a little. 

“Then we get back in it at 2-1, we changed the shape and looked more solid and went in at half time. 

“As I’ve seen, last season particularly, that’s not a problem to us – when we’re at it I always look like we can score a goal.” 

But the Toffees restored their two goal lead just four minutes into the second half through captain Tyias Browning and despite a penalty from Jacob Blyth, City couldn’t find the third equalising goal. 

Beaglehole continued: “We created chances and we could have got at least another goal back which would have given us a draw. 

“Having said all that I have to be honest over the 90 minutes we got what we deserved – nothing, because we were poor in our box. 

“I’m disappointed with the performance and disappointed with the result because we like to win games and we certainly don’t like to lose but it’s over now and we’ve got to be a lot better.” 

City host Tottenham Hotspur at King Power Stadium on Saturday and Beaglehole hopes that the venue will inspire his youngsters to put in a better performance than they did against Everton. 

He added: “I would like to think that it will lift them, if they have got any aspirations of playing for Leicester City Football Club, they’ll be desperate to play on that pitch and in that stadium which had a fantastic atmosphere on Saturday. 

“I hope it spurs them on and I hope we’ve learnt from tonight and that we defend better and put up a better performance.”