Maresca: We Are In The Right Way
- Leicester City defeated Preston North End to return to the top of the Sky Bet Championship
- A 3-0 success was secured via goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (2) and Kelechi Iheanacho
- Manager Enzo Maresca assessed his side’s performance back at King Power Stadium
- City had to wait for clear-cut opportunities to come their way in the second half, he reflected
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall produced the game’s first big moment on the hour mark, breaking the deadlock with a fine finish that was followed by substitute Kelechi Iheanacho doubling the advantage.
A third from Academy graduate Dewsbury-Hall, in stoppage-time, secured the three points on Filbert Way and moved the Foxes back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table 10 games in.
Maresca’s men had defeated Blackburn Rovers just over 72 hours earlier.
“I’m very happy,” City’s Manager commented at full-time. “I think it’s always complicated to win these kind of games, especially every three days. We probably struggled a bit more [in the] first half, but in the second half we were much better.
“In this kind of game, it’s a key point to maintain and be patient because after 45 minutes to an hour... the opponent, they get tired and in the second half there was more space.”
A fifth straight league victory, and a third clean sheet in four games, the positive statistics are stacking up in the early stages of Leicester’s campaign – now overcoming a side who are also sitting inside the Championship top three.
The Italian reflected: “It’s still too early, but we are getting better against this type of team. It’s unbelievable, it’s huge. It’s something that I said to the players, it’s not normal. But we are in the right way, heading in the right direction.
“The third goal, especially for the ball from Marc [Albrighton], he deserves it because he’s one of the important players for many years and every time we have a chance to give him some minutes, we are very happy.”
Dewsbury-Hall played a pivotal role once more on Filbert Way, scoring a brace, while Conor Coady made his league debut for the Foxes, adding further strength to the backline.
“He scored twice, I’m happy for him,” the 43-year-old added. “But I’m especially happy for his behaviour because now it’s more calm, more patient. At the edge of the box, he is looking for his team-mates. He’s improving a lot.
“It’s not easy [for Coady]. He went a long time without a game. He played at Liverpool after two months off and tonight was his first game here so I’m happy for him.”