Matchday Live Talking Points: Maddison Seals It, City's Strength In Depth & Gray Shines
Speaking during LCFC Radio's Matchday Live show, recorded in the studio and at Pirelli Stadium, the former Foxes discussed a wide range of topics as City booked their place in the quarter-finals.
Brendan Rodgers' men triumphed 3-1 courtesy of goals from Kelechi Iheanacho, Youri Tielemans and substitute James Maddison, their third successive victory in all competitions.
Reflecting on the action in Staffordshire, Elliott, Taggart and Stearman picked out their most notable headlines from the occasion...
Top-class stuff
Matt Elliott said: “Again, it was highly impressive stuff on display. Whatever the personnel, Brendan Rodgers has some top-quality players who are able to go out there and perform. They were a cohesive unit, they all know each other’s roles, they all know their own individual roles, and they do it with an element of expression and freedom as well. It was top-class stuff. They could have and probably should have finished the game off earlier, but it doesn’t always go 100 per cent to plan. They still had the right mentality. Onwards and upwards!”
Credit to Burton
Gerry Taggart said: “I don’t think anyone sat in this studio, or Matt (in the press box), thought that this would be an easy tie. You’ve got to give Burton credit. They had determination and guts to work hard even though they were behind. When they went in at half-time, Nigel Clough’s probably had a few stern words with them, and they came out and showed a renewed vigour. They really took the game to Leicester. They created problems, but Leicester stuck it out. They dealt with it and Brendan, yet again, was absolutely spot on with his substitutions.”
Maddison makes his mark
Matt Elliott said: “He came on and he didn’t have too much time to influence it too much, but he played the part that mattered. He got the finishing goal that really put this tie to bed. He showed good awareness and intelligence by holding his position, allowing the ball to be squared back to him, and he just slotted it away nicely didn’t he? We know he possesses that quality.”
Strength in depth the difference
Richard Stearman said: “Their strength in depth is very good. Ideally, Brendan wouldn’t have wanted to dip too deeply into that bench, but he had to get Maddison on the pitch and see the game out. I expected Harvey Barnes to come on regardless of that the score was and he may not have wanted to use Maddison. Yet again, he’s made the right call and he’s finished off the tie.”
Gray continues to improve
Gerry Taggart said: “Tonight, and in the last couple of games when he come on as a sub, Demarai Gray has showed some real determination. His decision-making on the ball is getting better. He set the goal up for Maddison by making an absolutely brilliant run down the wing and in all, he seems to be improving. That is probably the most pleasing thing for Brendan. When he’s come on in games, he’s proved to be a real threat. It’s good to see.”
Albrighton’s slickness
Matt Elliott said: “It didn’t quite happen as it might’ve for Marc Albrighton because he could’ve walked away with the ball under his arm, as could Demarai too. I thought he was very impressive. In the first half, he was right in front of us on this left side. He was choosing the right options, making the right runs, but he knew when to run with the ball. There were probably a dozen or so times when he showed some excellent play. His game has gone up a level in terms of general play. The slickness has improved.”