Layton Ndukwu

Foxes' Winning Run Emphatically Extended At Spurs

Leicester City's Development Squad made it four wins in a row with a stunning 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur Under-23s at Hotspur Way on Monday afternoon.

Following back-to-back Premier League 2 successes over Brighton & Hove Albion Under-23s and West Ham United Under-23s as well as EFL Trophy progression earlier in the month, the Foxes travelled to north London in high spirits.

Four changes were made to the side that defeated the Hammers, with Vontae Daley-Campbell missing through suspension. The Foxes set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Callum Hulme and Darragh O'Connor coming into the defence, Ethan Fitzhugh on the left and Layton Ndukwu playing as a No.10.

Within the first five minutes, goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk was called into action, making a smart, diving save to tip Harvey White's in-swinging free-kick - which was heading for the top corner - past the post.

City came into the game as it wore on, but were almost caught on the counter-attack, leading to Stolarczyk's pulling off another stop, denying Alfie Devine, before Kion Etete and J'Neil Bennett saw shots blocked.

But it was the visitors who took the lead as Layton Ndukwu pounced on a defensive error before calmly slotting the ball into the far corner.

Spurs came back strongly and almost grabbed the equaliser when Bennett forced the Foxes 'keeper into another good save, before Ben Nelson acrobatically cleared the ball off the line via an overhead kick.

The hosts were not to be denied for long, however, as Danny Rose's header back across goal was diverted into his own net by Nelson, although City's number five No.5 had little time to react and adjust his body. 

Etete then headed wide from White's corner on the half hour mark, as Tottenham kept up the pressure on Leicester's backline.

Just before the break, another swift Spurs counter ended with Jamie Bowden's effort from the edge of the area, which was comfortable for Stolarczyk to hold.

The Foxes made two changes at the break, switching formation and providing some fresh impetus into the attack. It paid off straight away as Callum Wright fired home from just inside the area less than a minute into the second half.

The afternoon was to get even better for City when Muskwe headed in Adam Leathers' pinpoint free-kick on 53 minutes for 3-1.

The home side were not going to take things lying down and Jack Clarke's dangerous cross has to be palmed away by City's 'keeper, before Stolarczyk was there again to hold on to White's free-kick.

City made the game safe with just over a quarter of an hour to play, though. Another half-time substitute, Jake Wakeling, provided it, driving into the box and firing a low, left-footed strike into the far bottom-hand corner.

It was clinical finishing from the Foxes and there was still time for Wright to score his second of the afternoon in the final minute of normal time, to put extra shine on an already impressive scoreline.

The Leicester captain picked up the ball 20 yards from goal and hammered it into the bottom corner, finishing off another excellent performance from City's Development Squad.

Major moment…

 

The game was very much on a knife edge going into the second half, after a first 45 minutes largely played in City's half of the pitch.

But once Callum Wright struck within a minute of the restart, it was the visitors' game to lose once more.

And this time they were able to pull away from a tiring Spurs side, taking all three points back to Leicester.

Who impressed?

 

It was very much a team performance from the away side, who were disciplined and executed their second half game plan to perfection.

The attacking quality shown by Layton Ndukwu, Admiral Muskwe - and later Jake Wakeling - all contributed, however it was a crucial double from Callum Wright that saw him stand out in north London.

Where does it leave us?

 

The Foxes jump up to sixth in the Premier League 2 Division 1 table, on 12 points from their eight games.

They are now just four points off Liverpool and Derby County at the top of the standings, with a game in hand.

Coming up…

 

City's Development Squad are back in the capital on Friday, taking on Chelsea Under-23s at Cherry Red Records Stadium, (7pm kick-off).

The details…

 

City: Stolarczyk; Hulme, O'Connor, Nelson, Flynn; Leshabela, Wright (c); Fitzhugh (Leathers 45'), Ndukwu (McAteer 78'), Suengchitthawon (Wakeling 45'), Muskwe.

Subs not used: Bosworth, K. Pennant.

Goals: Ndukwu 14', Wright 46', 90', Muskwe 53', Wakeling 73'. 

All times GMT.

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