City's Youngsters Up To Second In PL2 With Wolves Triumph
Leicester City’s Development Squad starting XI included eight changes from the 2-1 win over Villarreal in the International Cup before Christmas, with Matty James and Bartosz Kapustka coming in.
There was also an Under-23s debut for defender Darragh O'Connor, signed from League of Ireland side Wexford Football Club in the summer, while George Thomas skippered Leicester's youngsters.
The young Foxes carved out a decent opportunity inside the opening two minutes as George Thomas found George Hirst, but the latter’s effort was sent into the side netting.
Kapustka, meanwhile, also went close shortly after by driving through the Wolves midfield and aiming a low drive towards the bottom corner, forcing Andreas Söndergaard into saving.
City were deservedly in front after 14 minutes as Mitchell Clark burst down the right flank, dragged it back for Thomas, and the Wales international converted into the bottom corner.
Clark was the creator for Leicester’s second, too, with another intelligent cross from the right-flank, allowing Muskwe to cut inside and send a low effort past Söndergaard at the far post.
Within seconds of the restart, it could have got even better for the home side as Hirst broke free and ran at goal, but the Wolves ‘keeper was there.
They did get a third goal, though, less than three minutes later as Kapustka played an excellent through ball into Muskwe’s path and the Zimbabwe international slotted it away coolly.
Leicester were unfortunate not to go in at half-time with an even greater lead with Darnell Johnson going close, while Hirst’s header from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s free-kick went wide.
After the break, the Foxes continued their pursuit of goals and it took just six minutes, although there was confusion about who got the final touch as the celebrations ensued.
Dewsbury-Hall’s corner was nodded towards goal by Luke Thomas and, with Muskwe applying pressure to Söndergaard, the ball trickled over the line to make it 4-0 to City’s youngsters.
However, their cleansheet was lost later on when Chem Campbell ran from the half-way line until electing to shoot from around 20 yards out and firing it straight into Viktor Johansson's top corner.
Leicester's response, though, was to go up the other end and restore their four-goal lead as Luke Thomas' cross, from a short corner, was nodded into the net by Johnson in a 10th win in 11 outings.
Major moment
The frantic nature of Leicester’s start to proceedings on a chilly evening in Whetstone truly set them up for a memorable night, scoring three goals by the 23-minute mark.
Two goals in quick succession from Admiral Muskwe, separated by just three minutes, added to the good work done by George Thomas and gave the young Foxes an unsurmountable lead.
Who impressed?
Speaking live on LCFC TV, former Leicester City manager Micky Adams said: "Mitch Clark and George Thomas have been outstanding, but Admiral Muskwe showed his quality with two finishes. He's my man of the match."
Where does it leave us?
The young Foxes climb to second in Premier League 2 Division 1, one point behind Derby County, who drew 2-2 with Arsenal on Friday evening.
So far into 2019/20, City have gathered 25 points from 14 outings, winning seven, drawing four and losing just three matches all season.
Coming up…
Leicester next head to Prenton Park to tackle Tranmere Rovers in Round 3 of the Leasing.com Trophy on Tuesday evening (7:45pm GMT kick-off).
The details...
City: Johansson; Clark, Johnson, O’Connor, L. Thomas; James, Dewsbury-Hall (Leshabela 64'; G. Thomas, Muskwe (Reghba 57’), Kapustka; Hirst (Wright 57’)
Subs not used: Stolarczyk, Shade
Goals: G. Thomas 16’, Muskwe 20’, 23’, L. Thomas 51’, Johnson 86'