Season Review: Foxes Defeat Chelsea & Man City Over Christmas
The Foxes sealed a first win at Stamford Bridge in 18 years before Christmas, while a Boxing Day success over Manchester City spread even more festive cheer among the Blue Army.
Midfielder James Maddison, in particular, was in fine form for City, scoring a wonderful half-volley against Watford and another at Fulham's Craven Cottage.
However, despite a sterling performance against champions Manchester City, Leicester exited the Carabao Cup at the last-eight stage on penalties.
Leicester City 2 Watford 0
Saturday 1 December, 2018
Premier League
King Power Stadium
Vardy pen 12', Maddison 23'
First-half strikes from Jamie Vardy and James Maddison helped Leicester City to a comfortable 2-0 Premier League victory over Watford at King Power Stadium.
Claude Puel made seven changes to the side that beat Southampton on penalties four days earlier, as Maddison returned from suspension and Jonny Evans, Demarai Gray, Wilfred Ndidi and Vardy all retained their spot in the starting XI.
After a lively opening 10 minutes in which Wes Morgan – donning a special captain’s armband in support of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign – and Abdoulaye Doucouré both went close, the Foxes were awarded a penalty.
Vardy’s burst of pace saw him round Watford stopper Ben Foster, whose outstretched arms brought down the City attacker. He made no mistake from 12 yards, sending Foster the wrong way to make it 1-0.
Goals: Leicester City 2 Watford 0
Watch the goals from the Foxes' 2-0 victory over the Hornets at King Power Stadium.
Just 12 minutes later, City doubled their lead. A fine pass from winger Marc Albrighton found Maddison, who took a touch before slamming a volley in past Foster for his fourth Premier League goal of the season.
Efforts from Ricardo Pereira and Demarai Gray followed before the break, while Watford came close to pulling one back on 36 minutes after Isaac Success blasted over from a rapid counter-attack.
Demarai Gray’s hunt for a goal continued after the interval, and after good work from Portugal international Ricardo, Leicester’s No.7 smashed the Hornets' upright from a tight angle.
Watford substitute striker Andre Gray, introduced on 55 minutes, had two huge chances to halve the deficit, but he could not capitalise, first sending a free header wide before miscuing from 12 yards.
Then, as the final whistle approached, the Hornets were reduced to 10 men, as midfielder Étienne Capoue was penalised for a two-footed challenge on substitute striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
Fulham 1 Leicester City 1
Wednesday 5 December, 2018
Premier League
Craven Cottage
Kamara 42'; Maddison 74'
Leicester City’s productive run of form continued with a 1-1 Premier League draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
With the Foxes playing their second of three top-flight fixtures in the space of just eight days, manager Claude Puel made four changes to his starting XI, handing right-back Danny Simpson and attacker Fousseni Diabatétheir first Premier League starts of the season.
City could have gone ahead on just three minutes in London, but Nigeria international striker Kelechi Iheanacho could not beat Sergio Rico after being slipped through by James Maddison.
Stopper Kasper Schmeichel played his part in the clash, first turning Aleksandar Mitrović’s goal-bound flick to safety before pulling off a brilliant save to deny Calum Chambers, whose shot looked to be heading into the back of the net.
Either side of those efforts, Ben Chilwell had a penalty appeal turned down after the left-back’s cross from the wing struck the arm of Cyrus Christie in the Fulham box.
Goals: Fulham 1 Leicester City 1
Watch both the goals from the City's trip to Craven Cottage as James Maddison scores to extend City's unbeaten run to seven matches.
Two big goalscoring opportunities then fell to skipper Wes Morgan.
The Foxes No.5 nodded over the bar just before the half-hour mark, and then saw a header saved at the far post by Rico, who he had famously beaten at King Power Stadium in 2017 to help send his side to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Shortly after, City went ahead through Aboubakar Kamara. The former AS Monaco forward beat Çağlar Söyüncüto the ball before firing beyond Schmeichel three minutes before the interval.
A largely uneventful start to the second half saw Puel react and introduce Demarai Gray, Vicente Iborra and Shinji Okazaki, who all combined with 14 minutes to play to set up Maddison for the leveller.
Iborra won the flick-on and Gray played a one-two with Okazaki, who squared to Maddison 10 yards out. The No.10 side-footed in for his fifth Premier League goal of 2018/19.
Opportunities for both sides to win it came late on. First, Iborra headed Maddison’s corner wide, while Schmeichel was alert to Tom Cairney’s fierce half-volley with five minutes to go.
Leicester City 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Saturday 8 December, 2018
Premier League
King Power Stadium
Heung-Min 45+1, Alli 58'
Leicester City suffered their first defeat in eight games in all competitions following Tottenham’s 2-0 win at King Power Stadium.
Claude Puel made four changes to the side that drew with Fulham in midweek, as Ricardo Pereira, Jonny Evans, Demarai Gray and Vicente Iborra were all handed starts against Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
It proved to be an even affair in the first period, with Wilfred Ndidi volleying over for the Foxes and Son Heung-Min slamming a free-kick into the crowd in a largely uneventful first period.
However, out of nowhere, Tottenham went ahead on the stroke of half-time. Son shaped the ball onto his left foot before bending an unstoppable shot into the top corner from distance.
After the interval, Kasper Schmeichel had to parry Lucas Moura’s goal-bound header, while Ben Chilwell fired wide and Gray saw a shot saved by France international goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Tottenham, aiming to retain their spot in third place, doubled their advantage with 58 minutes on the clock as Son found Dele Alli, who nodded home at the back post to score his third Premier League goal of the season.
Puel introduced Shinji Okazaki, Marc Albrighton and Rachid Ghezzal in the second half, and it was Ghezzal who had two significant opportunities late on, but his efforts on goal were held by Lloris and there would be no breakthrough for the Foxes.
Crystal Palace 1 Leicester City 0
Saturday 15 December, 2018
Premier League
Selhurst Park
Milivojevic 39'
Leicester City were defeated 1-0 at Selhurst Park following a fine long-range strike from Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojević.
Claude Puel made four changes to the side that faced Tottenham Hotspur, with the return of striker Jamie Vardy and centre back Harry Maguire providing a huge boost for what would be a tricky test in the capital.
It was Vardy who would force Premier League debutant Vicente Guaita into the first stop of the afternoon as the Spaniard held onto the City No.9’s header at the front post with just over 30 minutes gone.
While there appeared to be nothing to separate the two sides in the first half, Palace went ahead six minutes before the break. Milivojević was given too much space on the edge of the box and the Serbian international had time to find the far corner with a sweet strike.
Puel introduced Rachid Ghezzal in place of James Maddison at the break, as No.7 Demarai Gray moved into a more central position. It was from that area that he had two efforts in as many minutes, but twice fired wide of the mark.
Gray then combined with substitute Ghezzal on 66 minutes, as the former Birmingham City man floated a cross to the back post. Algeria international Ghezzal was there to meet it, but he side-footed off target.
Another huge chance for City followed, but somehow, Guaita kept the ball out. A flowing move saw Vardy fire an effort at goal, only for his shot to be tipped onto the post and the rebound to fall into the arms of the Palace goalkeeper.
Nigeria international midfielder Wilfred Ndidi followed up with an effort with five minutes to play, but his powerful volley soared over the bar, and that proved to be City’s final major effort on goal.
Leicester City 1 Manchester City 1 (1-3 on pens)
Tuesday 18 December, 2018
Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals
King Power Stadium
Albrighton 73'; De Bruyne 14'
Leicester City were beaten 3-1 on penalties by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals following a 1-1 draw at King Power Stadium.
A much-changed Foxes side faced Pep Guardiola’s holders for the second time at this stage of the competition in as many years, having also been beaten in a shootout at Filbert Way last term.
Man City went ahead in the tie with just 14 minutes on the clock, as Belgian international midfielder Kevin De Bruyne – making his first start since 1 November – found the bottom corner with an effort from the edge of the box.
Winger Demarai Gray nearly hauled Claude Puel’s men level shortly after, but his low strike was tipped wide by young Swiss shot-stopper Arijanet Muric.
Then, just before the break, Nigeria international midfielder Wilfred Ndidi had an effort blocked by Spaniard Brahim Díaz.
Leicester City 1 Manchester City 1 (1-3 On Penalties)
Watch extended highlights from Leicester City's Carabao Cup defeat by Manchester City on Tuesday.
After the interval, Puel brought on James Maddison and Marc Albrighton in quick succession and it was the latter who would score a brilliant equaliser with 17 minutes play.
Ndidi floated a ball in between Kyle Walker and Oleksandr Zinchenko and found Albrighton, who took a touch before hammering past Muric – Puel celebrating passionately on the touchline as Albrighton was mobbed by his team-mates.
Two superb tackles from Academy graduate Hamza Choudhury ensured the tie would go to penalties, as he first dispossessed substitute Gabriel Jesus in the City box before halting the run of the Brazilian in injury time.
City’s third penalty shootout in four Carabao Cup fixtures this term, however, ended in defeat. Harry Maguire, skippering the Leicester side for the first time, scored the opener, but Christian Fuchs lifted his effort from 12 yards over the crossbar before Maddison and Çağlar Söyüncü were denied by Muric.
İlkay Gündoğan, Jesus, and Zinchenko were all on target for Man City, with England international winger Raheem Sterling the only man to miss for the visitors.
Chelsea 0 Leicester City 1
Saturday 22 December, 2018
Premier League
Stamford Bridge
Vardy 51'
A hugely impressive all-round performance from Leicester City sealed a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
A fraught encounter with chances for both teams was settled by Jamie Vardy’s trademark finish, following James Maddison’s assist, to fire City to their first win at Chelsea in 18 years.
Manager Claude Puel elected to make eight changes to the line-up which fell to a penalty shootout defeat by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup four days beforehand.
While Vardy, 31, returned to first team action, Academy graduate Hamza Choudhury retained his place in the starting XI to make his maiden Premier League start of the 2018/19 campaign.
Puel’s game plan was clear from the start with City deploying a 4-3-3 stratagem in an attempt to swamp the midfield, but also break with ferocious speed on the counter.
Leicester had to absorb pressure in the early exchanges – which they did willingly – waiting for their opportunity to pounce and look for Vardy, Maddison and Marc Albrighton up front.
The first real opportunity came Chelsea’s way in the 17th minute. Willian’s corner was glanced across goal by Pedro, pushing it away from David Luiz at the far post.
Eden Hazard, too, was chasing his 100th Premier League goal for the Blues and nearly achieved that feat when he sidestepped Harry Maguire and clattered the crossbar in the 32nd minute.
Goal: Chelsea 0 Leicester City 1
Jamie Vardy scores the only goal against Chelsea to secure Leicester City's first win at Stamford Bridge in 18 years.
At the other end, Kepa Arrizabalaga was called upon to make a breathtaking save to deny Wilfred Ndidi, whose ambitious effort from 20 yards seemed destined for the net.
Kasper Schmeichel, too, was in magnificent form in goal for the Foxes, punching Jorginho’s long-range effort away to safety.
City’s rewards for a defensively sound and offensively enterprising display came in the 51st minute with a goal which epitomised all of Vardy’s trademark qualities.
Ricardo found Maddison in the middle and when the 22-year-old slid it behind for Vardy to run onto, there was no doubt in the forward’s mind about where the ball was going.
His powerful effort led to delirious celebrations from the visitors in front of their travelling fans, with over 3,000 members of the Blue Army clad in free Santa hats gifted by the Club.
Schmeichel was once again needed to thwart Hazard minutes later, getting a fingertip to the Belgian’s low effort on the hour-mark, while City also pressed at the other end.
Albrighton’s deliveries were a source of significant concern for Chelsea.
His ball into the box, aimed at Vardy, was spilled by Arrizabalaga straight into the City No.9’s path, who tried to back-heel it into the net – but was denied by the knee of César Azpilicueta.
Leicester defended stoically in the latter moments, but were so nearly denied victory in the 90th minute as Marcos Alonso somehow hit the post despite having time in behind the backline.
However, the job was eventually completed in emphatic style by Puel’s men in the capital, who return to the East Midlands with an early Christmas present for their supporters.
Leicester City 2 Manchester City 1
Wednesday 26 December, 2018
Premier League
King Power Stadium
Albrighton 19', Ricardo 81'; B.Silva 14'
Leicester City emerged from a breathless King Power Stadium thriller with a 2-1 victory over Premier League champions Manchester City on Boxing Day.
Following Saturday's 1-0 success at Chelsea, the Foxes recovered from Bernardo Silva's 14th-minute opener to secure their eighth top flight victory of the 2018/19 season.
A pinpoint header from Marc Albrighton, following an inch-perfect pass from Jamie Vardy, restored parity on the scoresheet for Claude Puel’s hosts just five minutes after going behind.
Leicester were relentless in their search for another and they were unlucky not to complete the turnaround sooner, but Ricardo Pereira’s 81st-minute winner was worth the wait.
In front of a capacity crowd, the 25-year-old lashed home a cleared Albrighton corner to settle a fascinating encounter before Fabian Delph was dismissed for the visitors in the 89th minute.
Puel had named an unchanged XI from Saturday’s 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge – meaning a third successive start for Academy graduate Hamza Choudhury.
Manchester City's opener was typically slick from the 2018 champions as Sergio Agüero slotted a pass into Silva's path, who duly obliged to convert a low finish beyond Kasper Schmeichel.
However, Leicester refused to lie down and, when Vardy floated it in for Albrighton, the 29-year-old winger nodded it back across goal and into the far corner, past Ederson.
Goals: Leicester City 2 Manchester City 1
All three goals from the Foxes' 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the Premier League.
With the scores locked at 1-1 midway through the first half, the Foxes were exhibiting their very best in attacking positions, pushing Pep Guardiola’s title holders back.
While Manchester City also carved out chances – most notably a close-range miss from Agüero in the 37th minute – Leicester's industry in front of goal was difficult for them to contain.
A frantic passage of play just before the break saw Vardy, Choudhury and James Maddison force Edersen into a succession of remarkable close-range saves.
The talented Brazilian jumped into action when Vardy seized on a loose ball and ran at goal, prompting him into making a fine one-on-one save.
Maddison also tried his luck – again being denied by the 25-year-old. It then landed at the feet of Choudhury at the far post and, remarkably, Edersen was there yet again to get a hand on it.
He also stopped another Maddison effort, too, as the Foxes were left wondering what they needed to do to take the lead in a thrilling festive encounter on Filbert Way.
A tense affair continued to fascinate after the break with Maddison, Agüero and Leroy Sané all trying – but failing – to find the net from distance for their respective teams.
However, following Ricardo’s sumptuous goal nine minutes from the end, Leicester were defensively magnificent, chasing down every loose ball and keeping their guests at bay.
The odds of them of seeing out the victory were aided further when Delph was shown a straight red for a challenge on Ricardo, but the strength of Leicester’s character saw them through to victory.
Leicester City 0 Cardiff City 1
Saturday 19 December, 2018
Premier League
King Power Stadium
Camarasa 90+2'
A 92nd-minute stunner from Victor Camarasa saw Leicester City defeated 1-0 by Cardiff City at King Power Stadium in the Premier League.
After back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Manchester City, Claude Puel’s men were aiming to make it three victories on the spin in England’s top flight for the first time of the campaign.
With skipper Wes Morgan and defender Jonny Evans both sick, Puel handed Çağlar Söyüncü a spot in the starting XI, while Demarai Gray was also involved from the off.
The first period saw Bluebirds goalkeeper Neil Etheridge make five vital saves on Filbert Way, with his first coming on 15 minutes, as James Maddison produced a fine piece of skill to get past Harry Arter before seeing a low strike tipped behind.
Two stops in the space of three minutes from Etheridge followed, as he first denied Ricardo Pereira – scorer of a brilliant goal against Man City on Boxing Day – before palming Maddison’s 20-yard free-kick to safety.
A deflected Cardiff cross then saw the visiting side hit the top of the crossbar on 39 minutes, while Jamie Vardyand Gray both had strikes saved by Etheridge towards the end of the first half.
City continued to threaten after the interval, with Ricardo seeing another shot turned behind by the in-form Etheridge with 48 minutes on the clock.
Leicester ‘keeper Kasper Schmeichel had to make a save of his own at the other end, as he held onto winger Josh Murphy’s low effort with 66 minutes gone.
On 74 minutes, Puel’s outfit were awarded a penalty when Maddison was pulled back in the Cardiff box by Bluebirds captain Sean Morrison. However, the No.10 couldn’t beat Etheridge from 12 yards and was denied a follow-up effort by former Fox Sol Bamba.
Substitute Rachid Ghezzal was also denied by a Bamba block on 82 minutes, before the Algeria international attacker saw a volley deflect wide with three minutes to play.
But despite City’s dominance throughout the game, Cardiff struck in the second minute of injury time after Camarasa found the top corner from range.
December in numbers:
LCFC goals: Seven
Top scorer: Vardy, Maddison, Albrighton (two)
Premier League standing: Eighth