'We Played Well' – Rodgers' Norwich Satisfaction

Digital Members Exclusive
11 May 2022
4 Minutes
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers commended his players for a confident second-half performance in Wednesday's 3-0 triumph over Norwich City at King Power Stadium.

- Brendan Rodgers reacts to Leicester City's 3-0 win over Norwich at King Power Stadium
- Jamie Vardy netted a brace for the Foxes, before James Maddison's winner
- Rodgers was delighted with the confidence levels on show towards the end on Filbert Way
- He also provided an update on Wesley Fofana after the centre-back missed the game

The Foxes are up to 10th in the Premier League table with three games to go - more than many of the sides around them - as a brace from Jamie Vardy and James Maddison's composed finish saw off the Canaries on Filbert Way.

Rodgers, speaking afterwards, was pleased to see City move on from a disappointing run of form, no wins in seven across all competitions, to reset the momentum going into the final stages of the hectic 2021/22 campaign.

"It was a really good performance in the second half," the Northern Irishman told LCFC TV at full-time. "We played well, scored good goals, and then obviously, as the half wore on, you can see the confidence in the team returning. It’s a good win for us."

The former Liverpool and Celtic manager was also full of praise for Vardy, who has made a phased return from injury. The second of his two strikes on Wednesday marked his 150th league strike for the Club over a near-10-year spell in the East Midlands.

"He worked ever so hard for the team with his pressing, his running," Rodgers added. "You saw some lost causes that they had to defend and he makes a block. It’s just his cleverness, his movement. In the first half, we were too slow, we didn’t get the ball to him early enough and quick enough.

His second goal is classic Jamie. We pressed it really well, won it back, and Barnesy’s made an excellent pass. He’s finished it at the near post, but his overall game was really good.

Brendan Rodgers LCFC TV

"In the second half, it was much better. He gets his first goal, he spins and shoots, and gets a bit of good fortune. His second goal is classic Jamie. We pressed it really well, won it back, and Barnesy’s made an excellent pass. He’s finished it at the near post, but his overall game was really good."

Harvey Barnes, on the other hand, provided both of the assists for City's No.9 and Rodgers credited the Academy graduate for his persistent after a frustrating opening 45 minutes against Dean Smith's visitors.

"He was really persistent tonight, Barnesy," the 49-year-old explained. "In the first half, he wasn’t in it so much, he got marked out of it a little bit. In the second half, the game opened up for him and the space was there. He really exploited it well.

"If he picks his runs better, he could have got a goal tonight. He’s trying to get in there, which is important. He needs to get in there to get the goals, but overall, I thought he was a real threat for us. The run and the pass for Jamie’s second goal was really good."

On Maddison's strike, the midfielder's 15th of the season and Leicester's third on the night, Rodgers continued: It was a really good finish. I thought Madders was outstanding throughout the evening. He’s been our best player over the course of the season, in terms of efficiency.

"His work-rate tonight, how many presses he made, how many interceptions he made… he was winning the ball back and then his quality and cleverness, you could see that in the game. I was very pleased with the second half."

City have to play Watford (A), Chelsea (A) and Southampton (H) to conclude their season. After exiting the UEFA Europa Conference League at the semi-finals stage, a top-half finish is the most Leicester can aim for over the final fortnight, but Rodgers wants to see desire and commitment from his players.

He added: "We just didn’t want the season to go out with a whimper. It’s a strange feeling for me, having nothing really to play for. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that. Still, we want to put a marker down for next season. That was the message I said to the players beforehand.

"We want to finish this season as strong as we can and that momentum into pre-season and then make a strong start to the next season. For that, you’ve got to win games and you’ve got to work hard and tonight we were able to do that."

Defender Wesley Fofana was absent for the home side on Wednesday, but Rodgers was able to reveal that the young Frenchman is likely to be in contention for the weekend.

"Just his calf was a little bit tight," the ex-Celtic and Liverpool manager explained. "We gave him to the last minute, but we then have to weigh up the risk and there was no need. He’ll be fine for the weekend. It’s just the accumulation of games after just coming back. He was playing once a week and then we started to increase it.

"Obviously, on the back of three games recently, where they were back to back, he’s just felt that soreness in his recovery. There was no need to risk it. Dan [Amartey] comes in and did really well and Wesley will be okay for the weekend."