Petty: The General Performance Was Good

- Leicester City’s Development Squad fell to a 3-1 reverse against Man City
- Tawanda Maswanhise scored the Foxes’ goal at Academy Stadium
- Ben Petty reflected on City’s display speaking to LCFC TV post-match
- The coach was generally pleased with what he saw across the 90 minutes

Falling behind to Carlos Borges’ 22nd-minute strike, the Foxes levelled via Tawanda Maswanhise’s deflected effort shortly before half-time, having lost Iestyn Hughes to injury.

Captain Lewis Brunt also had to be withdrawn in the second half as the Citizens took control of proceedings at Academy Stadium, edging back ahead via Adedire Mebude. They soon scored a third courtesy of Jadel Katongo to wrap up the victory in Manchester. 

“That was a blow (to lose Hughes),” Petty told LCFC TV, speaking after Sunday’s encounter. “And then we knew we had to take Lewis Brunt off in the game as well because we’re managing his injury, so we were two defenders down coming to the champions, that’s tough. 

“The general performance was good. The game plan worked well, but there were two lapses of concentration that cost us dear. The first goal and I think the second goal we were really disappointed in.

“But we got back into the game, we started the second half really well and the game was there for us.”

Having scored his second goal in as many games - after also finding the net against Tottenham Hostpur on the opening day - Maswanhise spurned an opportunity to further increase his tally shortly before the break.

Had the young forward done so, it could have been a different story in the second half, Petty admitted. 

He reflected: “You have to take your chances at this level and you have to be clinical. That was an area we were looking to get at Man City with the switch. Joe [Wormleighton] came on and gave us a bit of width on that right-hand side. It was a fantastic ball and I would have backed JT (Maswanhise) there, he’s in good form.

“And I just said then in the changing room, the change in the game there was really pivotal. If we go 2-1 up, have the half-time break and then it’s a different game.”

Adding context to the defeat, the 45-year-old praised the opposition’s all-round quality, which ultimately led to creating enough opportunities for the reigning Premier League 2 Division 1 champions to emerge victorious.  

“They are a top side, they have top players,” Leicester’s coach admitted. “They invest hugely, their recruitment is all over the world and you can see that. 

“They’ve got some wonderful players and I thought our lads really had a good go at them today. It’s a really honest bunch that we’ve got and they worked really hard in difficult conditions today. I was proud of them. The result didn’t go in our favour but I think they did the Club proud today.”