‘A Very Important Three Points’ – Maresca’s West Brom Assessment
- Leicester City overcame West Bromwich Albion 2-1 in the Sky Bet Championship
- The Foxes move back to the top of the table following victory on Filbert Way
- Manager Enzo Maresca assessed the significance of the three points for his side
- They were made to work hard for it either side of goals from Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy
The Foxes had to withstand a barrage of pressure from the visitors in the opening stages at King Power Stadium, before Wilfred Ndidi managed to fire home and make the crucial breakthrough midway through the first half.
Maresca’s side doubled their advantage via Jamie Vardy’s header, atoning for an earlier penalty miss, and while Jed Wallace reduced the arrears, halving the deficit with a quarter of an hour to play, Leicester stood strong to see the game out.
Ndidi & Vardy Score To Claim Huge West Brom Win
All three goals from Leicester City's tense Sky Bet Championship victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
“It’s a very important three points,” City’s Manager said at full-time. "I think we struggled at the beginning of the game, in the first 10 minutes, because they changed completely the way they play. They surprised us and we had to adapt.
“After we had that, I think for half an hour we were in control. We scored, we could score one more and we didn't concede anything. Then the second half was a little bit up and down.
“We conceded some chances, but here at this moment, at this stage of the season, it's important to get three points. I think today we have been lucky but in the last two games that we dropped points and we lost, we were not lucky. So, it's just a balance.
“It's full of emotion in this moment. Because we lost two games in a row, everyone was a little bit nervous. But I think we are where we need to be and where we deserve to be.”
Player of the Match Hamza Choudhury earned plaudits for his display, making several vital interventions as City were forced to show a different side to their game against a persistent Albion attack to move back to the Sky Bet Championship summit.
“In some moments he behaved like a 'keeper,” the Italian admitted. “But overall, he has been unbelievable. He has been fantastic. Since we started, he has been very good on the pitch, off the pitch. We made him one of the captains.
“He is from the house (Academy), so I’m happy for him. You need that. In seven to eight months, we reached a very good level in terms of the way we want to play. But also you need the other part. That is about mentality, it's about the heart.
“We tried to attract them in our side and to play some long balls for Stephy [Mavididi], for Abdul [Fatawu], it was just the plan of the game. I’m very, very happy for him (Ndidi), very happy for all of them. We have no doubt about Jamie, absolutely.”
It's Full Of Emotion In This Moment, Says Maresca
Manager Enzo Maresca gives his thoughts on Leicester City's invaluable 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.
The support from the stands was heard loud and clear by the Italian, who outlined the Blue Army’s contribution in getting City over the line. They will be needed again, he says, when Southampton visit Filbert Way on Tuesday.
Maresca added: “The fans, since we started, have been very good with us - fantastic at home and away. We can understand that when we don't win games, they get frustrated. But also we need to understand that the opponents are there, they also want to win games.
“But overall, we were very happy to share this moment with our fans. Now I just prepare for Tuesday's game because we need to try to win two more games and this is the most important thing.”