- Leicester City registered a 5-1 success over Watford at Vicarage Road on Sunday
- James Maddison netted early on, before doubles from Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes
- City's aggression and commitment particularly pleased manager Brendan Rodgers
- The Foxes manager also discussed Danny Ward's inclusion in the starting XI
João Pedro fired the Hornets ahead on Sunday, but James Maddison almost immediately restored parity in Hertfordshire, before braces from Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes sealed City's biggest away win of the 2021/22 season. It leaves the Foxes ninth in the Premier League with two games to go.
In the unusual position, by recent standards, of not having trophies or European qualification to fight for over the final weeks of the season, Rodgers has been pleased with the commitment on show over the past week. Sunday's win at Watford was preceded by a 3-0 win over Norwich City in midweek.
"I think, overall, it was very pleasing," the Northern Irishman said at full-time. "We got over the disappointment of the goal from the set piece and then really showed our spirit and quality. There was some great football, some real attacking verve in the team. Not only that, we turned up to defend as well.
"We were aggressive, we were strong and we did everything to protect our goal. That’s important and, when you do that, and you’ve got the quality we had in the attacking play, then it ended up being a really good performance and result.
"I was proud of the team, they turned up. I go back to my first game for Leicester City, just over three years ago, which was here. I just thought before the game where we’ve come in that three years.
"To come back to here and play to the level that we did was great and to give the supporters that joy in the majority of the time we’ve been together... they gave us great backing and obviously the team put on a really good performance that they could enjoy.
"We want to keep fighting to finish well and put a marker down for next year. The game in midweek, the second half, was really good and, over the course of the game [at Watford], we defended well and we attacked really, really well. We want to keep going now for the final two games and finish strongly.
"A top-10 finish and a European semi-final is still a really good season for Leicester City when you consider the competition we have in the league."
Rodgers wants to see that mentality continue over the coming week as the season concludes with an away game at Chelsea on Thursday and next Sunday's season finale at home against Southampton. If they can do that, the 49-year-old believes it will benefit the Foxes in 2022/23.
"I’ve spoken about the importance of putting a marker down for next season," the former Liverpool and Celtic manager added. "We didn’t want to go out with a whimper and be soft and think there’s nothing to play for.
"When you’ve got a travelling support and people paying money to come and watch your team, your obligation is to be aggressive and fight for every ball and finish the season as strongly as you can. We’ve tried, over the course of our time together, to create a winning mentality.
"A winning mentality is formed every day and in every game you play. Even if you have nothing to play for as such, in terms of trophies or European places, that’s when your winning mentality comes into it. I have a huge pride in the players for what they’ve done in the last couple of games, to continue with that fight and aggression. It bodes well for us going into next season."
City's line-up included three changes from Wednesday's Norwich success, including a Premier League debut for the Club for goalkeeper Danny Ward.
"When we came out of Europe and I saw we had five games to play, I’d spoken to Kasper [Schmeichel] and said I’d look to play him in three of those and Wardy in two," Rodgers explained. "Wardy was supposed to play today and against Norwich, but he just felt his knee for the Wednesday game.
"We didn’t want to expose him. Obviously then, he played today. It’s a testament to all our goalkeepers. Firstly, to Kasper for that consistency and the ability to keep playing, and that hunger to have those consecutive games. It’s also a testament to the other goalkeepers because they’re there in loyal support.
"I’ve always said that I think I have two No.1 goalkeepers here. Danny Ward today, you see his presence and some of the saves he made. For me, it’s for the health of the group. This is Danny’s first Premier League game.
"He’s played in cup games and done great and when we’ve got deep in competitions, of course, I’ve put Kasper in. I think it’s only right for him and the squad and you could see his quality when he came in today. We have a great ‘keeper there who’s challenging Kasper, who is a top-class ‘keeper as well."