Rodgers Points To 'Excellent' Second-Half Display

First Team
26 Apr 2021
2 Minutes
Brendan Rodgers was particularly impressed with Leicester City's resolve in the second half as the Foxes came from behind to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 at King Power Stadium on Monday.

- Brendan Rodgers speaks following Leicester City's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Monday
- Timothy Castagne and Kelechi Iheanacho struck in the second half to seal a comeback victory
- Manager Brendan Rodgers praised his side's second-half display, after City went behind earlier on
- The Northern Irishman also discussed the quality of both Leicester goals at King Power Stadium 

It was the Eagles who led at the break through Wilfried Zaha's opener on Filbert Way, but City were excellent after the restart, with Timothy Castagne and then Kelechi Iheanacho converting powerful strikes to register the Club's 19th Premier League win of the season

Speaking after his side's second home triumph in four days which leaves Leicester third in the Premier League with a seven-point cushion to fifth place, Rodgers was thrilled with the performance. 

"It was a big win," the Northern Irishman told LCFC TV. "It’s always going to be tough playing against Crystal Palace, they don’t concede too many goals, and especially so after going behind.

The players went out and played with quality, so I was delighted for them because they showed a great mentality, as well as quality, to win the game.

Brendan Rodgers LCFC TV

"It was an excellent second half, really good goals, and we could have scored more, but it was a very important win.

"It was [about] keeping our calmness, that was important. We gave away the goal, but I said this was an opportunity to show we’re a really good side; not to panic, keep our calmness, speed up the game a fraction and I just pointed out one or two areas we could exploit.

"The players went out and played with quality, so I was delighted for them because they showed a great mentality, as well as quality, to win the game."

The quality on show for both strikes was another pleasing aspect for Rodgers, with Castagne netting his first goal at King Power Stadium, while Iheanacho made it 12 goals in nine appearances.

"Both goals were different types," the 48-year-old added. "It was great combination play. When you’re playing against that 4-4-3, which was very narrow, there’s spaces on the sides.

"You can combine on the sides of the pitch to get in and we did that very well for the first goal.

"The other possibility we talked about was from that deeper position. We saw that in Jonny’s pass in between the centre-back and the full-back, with the two strikers looking to get in there, but Kels, when he picks the ball up, the rest is just magic.

"It’s just sheer quality and a sign of his confidence. He’s a really good player who’s getting an opportunity, it’s as simple as that."