Five Of The Best LCFC Goals In 2020/21

Here's a run down of five of those outstanding strikes from the first team, LCFC Women and City's Under-23s...

Mitchell Clark vs. Manchester United Under-23s
Monday 14 September, 2020
Leigh Sports Village
Premier League 2 Division 1

Several Development Squad goals have caught the eye this season, including Shane Flynn's crucial lob against Salford City in the Papa John's Trophy and Sidnei Tavares' inch-perfect free-kick at Grimsby Town in the same competition.

But, arguably, the pick of the bunch came on the opening day of the Premier League 2 Division 1 campaign. Facing Manchester United Under-23s at Leigh Sports Village, Leicester were looking to protect the one-goal lead gained from Ali Reghba's strike on the hour mark.

Clark, playing at full-back, had other ideas when he received the ball from Layton Ndukwu just inside the United half, racing forward and weaving past two challenges before looking up 25 yards from goal and hitting an audacious, curling effort that landed inside the far corner, sealing the three points and a perfect start to the new season.

James Maddison vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
Sunday 13 December, 2020
King Power Stadium
Premier League

Just three minutes after Jamie Vardy had given City a two-goal cushion over the Seagulls near the end of the first half of this Premier League clash, James Maddison produced an outstanding goal worthy of winning any game.

It was a typically free-flowing Foxes move involving Wilfred Ndidi, Ayoze Pérez and Vardy - who laid off Maddison on the edge of the area. Moving into the box with a couple of step overs, City's No.10 dragged the ball onto his left before curling an unstoppable drive into the top corner.

The midfielder had already opened the scoring with a neat, first-time finish, which he slid in on 27 minutes, when he doubled his tally for the evening and sent Leicester on the way to an emphatic 3-0 victory over Graham Potter's side.

The convincing win on Filbert Way saw Leicester climb to third in the Premier League standings after 12 matches of the season.

Natasha Flint vs. Crystal Palace Women
Thursday 14 January, 2021
Hayes Lane
Continental Tyres League Cup

After an enthralling but goalless 90 minutes in Bromley, LCFC Women's League Cup Quarter-Final against league rivals Crystal Palace appeared to be destined for an extra 30 minutes and potentially penalties. But with one last set piece in the final knockings of the game, Remi Allen and Natasha Flint managed to conjure up a special piece of play to win the tie.

Allen stood over the free-kick on the edge of the area and appeared to be set to tee up the forward on her right foot, but after dummying the initial lay-off she back-heeled the ball for Flint to smash home with her left, sending City into the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in the Club's history.

Hugely significant in the context of the game, it was also the former England youth international's 14th goal in all competitions since her summer move to the Foxes.

Kelechi Iheanacho vs. Burnley
Wednesday 3 March, 2021
Turf Moor
Premier League

With Leicester trailing to an early Matěj Vydra goal at Turf Moor, it looked like the travelling Foxes would require something special to spark a revival and break down a stubborn Clarets defence. And that's exactly what was created ahead of the interval by in-form forward Kelechi Iheanacho.

When Wilfred Ndidi received the ball inside the centre circle he looked to have little on, but spotted a darting run from the Nigerian international and found him with a lofted through ball that Iheanacho watched sail over his left shoulder before firing it into the net on the volley, past the onrushing Nick Pope and despite the close attentions of Ben Mee.

A strike of sublime technique, it proved crucial in taking a point from City's trip to Lancashire and after back-to-back defeats, began the current four-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Ihenanacho has not stopped scoring since, netting a further six goals in his next three matches.

Esmee De Graaf vs. London Bees
Sunday 7 March, 2021
The Hive Stadium
FA Women's Championship

LCFC Women saved the best for last when taking on London Bees in the FA Women's Championship earlier this month. Already six goals to the good after a dominant display in the capital, there was still time for a goal of the season contender from Dutch defender Esmee De Graaf.

With just under five minutes to play, Natasha Flint picked up the ball near the corner flag, recycling possession back to De Graaf, who took everyone by surprise in taking one touch to get the ball out of her feet before unleashing an unbelievable strike that arrowed into the top corner from all of 35 yards out.

It was certainly the pick of the goals that afternoon, giving Bees 'keeper Sarah Quantrill no chance of stopping despite her diving attempt, and sealed a stunning success for the top of the table Foxes and a ninth league win on the bounce.