Matchday Live Talking Points: Impressive Iheanacho & Pérez's Quality
- LCFC Radio’s Matchday Live panel dissected Leicester City’s excellent victory at King Power Stadium
- The 5-0 scoreline equalled the Foxes' biggest-ever Premier League home win
- Kelechi Iheanacho netted a hat-trick against the Blades, while Ayoze Pérez was also on the scoresheet
- City now sit third in the standings with 56 points from 29 games
Matching the 5-0 scoreline from when Newcastle United visited Filbert Way in September 2019, City were on scintillating form against the Blades, scoring four second-half goals.
Nigeria international forward Kelechi Iheanacho netted a hat-trick - his first in Leicester colours - while Ayoze Pérez also added his name to the scoresheet to help complete the triumph.
That excellent display, which leaves the Foxes third in the Premier League standings, was discussed in depth by LCFC Radio's Matchday Live panel...
Fantastic football on display
Gerry Taggart said: "An excellent result, the second half was a lot better as far as the tempo and passing was concerned, more like the Leicester City we are used to seeing. For the majority of the game, they didn't get out of second gear. They just stepped it up on a few occasions and then dropped it back down again. Going in at half-time, even though it was only 1-0, you just never thought Sheffield United had any power up front and it was all about Leicester getting into a rhythm and taking the game further and further away from them. In that second half, that's exactly what they did, we saw some fantastic football."
Everyone played their part
Steve Walsh said: "They've shown superiority in the end. It was a bit of a cagey game at first, they had to work hard for it. It was a terrific second-half performance that left Sheffield United completely wounded. It was great to score five before going into the FA Cup tie with Manchester United. The overall way they dominated possession, that's what Leicester are about, they slowly ripped holes in that defence. Second in the league (at that time), it's a very healthy position, it's in our hands, but we've got games coming up that are good games and we can beat anyone on our day, so I'm really upbeat. You look though the team and there wasn't a poor performance."
Building from the back
Matt Elliott said: "It doesn't get much better. A really good performance all round despite a few key players missing and the biggest win of the season - what a time to produce it! Leicester have got quality players and there's quality right throughout the squad. That line-up today was pretty impressive. The back five/six is so formidable to come up against and then you've got Wilfred [Ndidi] in front protecting and shielding, it gives them a great platform from which to start and set things off from."
Pérez's quality shone through
Gerry Taggart said: "The second goal ended the game. He [Ayoze Pérez] took advantage and converted that chance. It's a lovely, well taken strike from 20 yards out. Overall today he's had a really good game, he worked hard without the ball as well and he won the majority of the battles today. I still think he can do better because he's a quality player, but he's showed the quality today that led to goals. A quality little flick round the corner to [Jamie] Vardy (for the first goal) and the strike as well for his goal. He brings that to the table and it's all about being consistent. It's a game he can take confidence from and hopefully improve next time round."
Impressive Iheanacho
Steve Walsh said: "He's like a new striker, it's incredible. A wonderful hat-trick, I'm really pleased that he went out in that second half and got those two goals. I said he's got to show us that he could do this and get another couple of goals and he did just that so I'm pleased for him. What a confidence booster for him. Jamie Vardy was almost playing both wings at times and really having a good effect, he was finding gaps down the side of the centre-backs."
Patience rewarded
Matt Elliott said: "Leicester had the upper hand from the off and they got more and more secure as the game went on. Patience was key, it was there within their game. It wasn't frenzied surges forward or constant, all out pressure, it was very controlled and very precise in how they played and they would keep the ball for long periods and then suddenly make a dart forward, or a long ball over the top or try and work the ball through Sheffield United. There was a belief that situations would arise, rather than trying to force the issue and perhaps a door would open at the back - Leicester never did that."