- Leicester City came out on top in a closely-contested Premier League clash with Norwich City
- The Foxes left Carrow Road with three points after goals from Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton
- City legend Matt Elliott gave his thoughts as part of Matchday Live’s post-match debate
- He was delighted to see the Blue Army celebrate a win on the road for the first time this season
Jamie Vardy’s early opener was cancelled out by Teemu Pukki’s equaliser from the spot, before Marc Albrighton hammered home the winner 14 minutes from time, much to the delight of the travelling Foxes at Carrow Road.
Speaking on LCFC TV’s Matchday Live broadcast after full-time, the legendary former Leicester City centre-back analysed the 90 minutes of action, which saw Leicester move up to ninth in the early standings, having taken six points from a possible nine.
“That was good fun, I enjoyed watching that,” Elliott commented. “And thankfully from Leicester City’s point of view, the three points are going back to King Power Stadium. Overall, they probably just about shaded it, although I think a lot of the Norwich contingent will contest that.
“They had decent opportunities in the second half to be at least on level terms. But Brendan Rodgers can take some credit as well for changing the rhythm of the game and bringing [Kelechi] Iheanacho on. He was brave in doing that. His coaching style is very hands on, his man-management is impressive.
“Leicester were very professional, very dogged in the second half, more impressive in the first, needed more result to their cut and thrust, but ultimately they walk away with the spoils.”
Rodgers’ men had to show different qualities to secure the win and although Elliott conceded that it was not the team’s best performance, he believes any success in the Premier League should be celebrated - especially a first away success of the campaign - no matter how it comes.
“The game ebbed and flowed,” he explained. “In the first half, it was end-to-end, Leicester were the more dominant, without showing that end result. But you have to give testament to Norwich, they turned it around a bit.
“Leicester just battled their way through, but I found it intriguing all the way through and the game was on a knife edge. There was no clear-cut winner at any stage, but they’ll enjoy that. You get elation when you get three points however it is created.
“It means a lot to the players and the supporters and that’s the primary concern. It wasn’t their most impressive of displays, but it’s only the third game of the season. It gives them the platform to go on and build, because without three points, or any points, there would be a little bit of concern.”
City’s talismanic forward, Vardy, added a second goal to his 2021/22 Premier League tally in Norfolk, executing a well-taken first-time finish from Ricardo Pereira’s cross on eight minutes, after the defender also assisted his opening day strike at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Elliott was full of praise for the Portuguese right-back, although he had to be replaced immediately after the goal due to injury, and added that the end result is exactly what everyone has come to expect from Leicester's No.9.
“It was a top-class finish,” Elliott continued. “It was reminiscent of the goal against Wolves, mainly because it was Ricardo to Vardy and Vardy into the back of the net.
“It’s class play initially from Ricardo, who seized on an error by [Brandon] Williams. He was on it in a flash. Williams wasn’t expecting anyone to be in and around the vicinity. Ricardo saw the opportunity to go and put a bit of a squeeze on and he did so to great effect.
“He soared down that right-hand side and got his head up, composed himself and looked for the movement from Vardy, who just held his ground, pulled out, showed great experience and awareness and the ball was delivered superbly.
“Vardy finished with ease, it looked like. It was like it was a foregone conclusion in Jamie Vardy’s mind before he had even struck it. It was a great finish and Tim Krul had no chance. It got Leicester off to a great start.”
Albrighton, meanwhile, was making his first appearance in the Premier League this season and, as ever, Elliott was impressed with his professionalism and all-round display.
Elliott continued: “It was steady rather than spectacular performances throughout from the majority of the team but I’ve got to give a special mention to Marc Albrighton, who ultimately scored the decisive goal, the winner.
“There was a big space for him to find in that far area, but it’s not his forte, scoring goals, and in this instance, it was probably a bonus that it took a bit of a deflection, I’m not sure if it was on target or not before it took that.
“It was a very welcome sight. There was a bit of relief on Albrighton’s face as well, but he just gets on with his business and shows great value to the team.
“He doesn’t score too many, he’ll saviour that one that’s for sure, and it's well deserved for the way he applies himself. He’s getting a special mention from the supporters too.”