Maresca: In The Right Direction
- Leicester City beat Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road on Saturday
- The Sky Bet Championship leaders remain 11 points clear
- Patson Daka and Ricardo Pereira scored the crucial goals
- Manager Enzo Maresca assessed the performance from his side
A Patson Daka penalty got the visiting Foxes off to the perfect start at Vicarage Road, before Ricardo Pereira finished a free-flowing move in the second half. Emmanuel Dennis then pounced on an error at the back to halve the deficit, but Leicester held out to claim victory in Hertfordshire.
Reflecting on the team’s display, Maresca referenced how the players kept their heads under pressure from the home crowd, who were willing an equaliser from Valérien Ismaël’s men.
“I’m happy, especially for the game and the way we played,” City’s Manager said post-match on Saturday. “We defended very well. We all stuck together as a team and the way we scored the second goal was unbelievable. It was very nice.
“You enjoy it because you are watching the game you enjoy. It was not easy because they were man to man throughout the game. It was brave. Even in the first half, we tried to play a lot with Mads [Hermansen] because he was the only spare player, but we are happy.
“There were some good combinations, some solutions in behind but the opponent are also there to make difficult things for us. In the end it’s one more win and that’s very important.”
City had to dig in to see the game out in the final half an hour, after a mistake allowed the Hornets back into the game. Maresca praised Harry Winks’ contributions this season, as well as goalscorer Daka and Jamie Vardy.
“Unfortunately, we conceded but it’s part of the process," the 43-year-old explained. "I think after we conceded the goal, we probably lost a little bit of confidence. That’s normal. When you are 0-2 away and concede, the crowd and the opponent [are motivated].
"I know that it is part of the game and part of the process. I know he (Winks) was probably not happy with the mistake, but I just told him that nothing happened and it’s part of the game and a big part of our situation in this moment is the way Harry behaves this season.
“Today showed the way that he (Daka) works off the ball. It was very good. I’m happy for him. The way Jamie goes on today again showed how he takes care of this Club. I’m happy in general with all of them.”
Going over with the team to celebrate in front of the travelling Blue Army at full-time, the Italian acknowledged the significance of Saturday’s success, seeing the lead at the top of the Sky Bet Championship table remain at 11 points, also applauding the Foxes fans for their support.
“It’s very important,” he added. “They are with us all season. Once again, they travel two hours from Leicester. We’re very appreciative.
“I always say that I didn’t expect [City's points tally] and I don’t think any of the fans or people at the Club expected us to have 75 points after 31 games but we are going in the right direction. Now it’s the last part of the season and we need to finish it.”