Deserved Victory For Nugent

- Leicester City striker scores second goal in 2-1 win 

- Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring, while Grant Ward was on target late on for the hosts 

After netting in the 2-1 pre-season friendly victory over Rotherham United at the New York Stadium on Wednesday, striker David Nugent says his side’s efforts warranted the win. 

Winger Riyad Mahrez scored the opening goal against the Millers, curling in a superb strike from the edge of the box to put the Foxes 1-0 up. 

Then, Nugent, who came close with an effort earlier in the game, fired in a second for City with 18 minutes to play. 

“I think first half we kept the ball really well, but we didn’t create many chances,” Nugent told Foxes Player HD. “In the second half I went up top with Leo. The ball was in behind, which I like. We seem to be creating chances and scoring goals, so we deservedly won the game. 

“We were unbeaten last pre-season as well. These games are for match fitness, but it’s always nice to get a positive result. The lads have done well so far. 

“We needed the 90 minutes to get our match fitness up. We looked a little tired towards the end as Rotherham came at us, but in the end I think we fully deserved the win.” 

City had the lion’s share of possession in the first half, but couldn’t break down a resilient Rotherham back line. A change in formation by manager Claudio Ranieri at the break proved key, according to Nugent. 

He added: “We just tried to pass the ball a bit more in the second half. We were going side to side a lot. We were switching play but every time it went to the wings, it was going back into midfield and back up the other side. 

“We knew we needed to thread balls into Leo to get shots on goal. In the second half it changed a lot. I went up top with Leo, and I’m a player that likes to run in behind and cause defenders problems, and it seemed to work.”