Puel Underlines First Half Dominance

- Claude Puel reflected positively on Leicester City’s performance at Emirates Stadium
- The Foxes were beaten 3-1 despite going ahead in the first half
- Puel also provided an update on the fitness of Jamie Vardy

A superb performance in the first half saw the Foxes take the lead through Héctor Bellerín’s own goal, but they were pegged back when Mesut Özil converted just seconds before the break.

Wilfred Ndidi then hit the crossbar in the second half, and while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck twice shortly after to win it for the hosts, Puel felt his side were unfortunate not to claim a positive result.

“There is a lot of disappointment,” Puel told LCFC TV. “I was happy, of course, with our brilliant first half. It was good discipline, good quality on the ground.

“We had a lot of chances. I think we did not score enough in the first half. We needed to make the difference in this moment.”

Puel went on to voice his frustration after City had a penalty appeal turned down in the first half, as Rob Holding handled the ball in the Arsenal box.

“I am angry about the bad decision from the referee on the penalty because this situation can change the game,” the manager reflected. “All the people saw this penalty and it was also a second yellow card for the Arsenal player.

“It was great but without good reward in the first half and in the second half we did not have energy and intensity in our game. We didn’t succeed in having the same quality with the first ball, with bad control, passes and shots.

“We gave them the ball easily to put us under pressure. In the second half, it was a shame but we have had another chance. I think with the header against the bar from [Wilfred] Ndidi, we were unlucky in this moment. I think we deserved another result.

“We played fantastic in the first half and in the second half we had chances to put them under pressure and perhaps win the game. It’s a big disappointment for my players.

“We showed all the quality we can put in the game in the first half and we showed in the second half our play was not enough and we did not maintain the level.”

Deploying a 3-5-2 formation, Puel saw his men dominate in the first half, but they could not fully capitalise on their flowing moves.

He continued: “We tried another system. They played with desire, with quality, good concentration and we put this team under pressure. I think they were surprised with our system and we had a lot of chances and quality with our play on the ground.

“It’s a shame we didn’t have success in making the difference more in the first half. We conceded free-kicks before half-time on the break. It’s a shame.

“The scenario was against us this evening. We were unlucky and I’m angry about the first half decision on the penalty and other things against us. It’s a shame because my players tried their best.”

Finally, the Frenchman provided an update on striker Jamie Vardy, who left the field late on at Emirates Stadium.

Puel added: “He was ill in the second half and he could not come back into the game at the end.”