- Brendan Rodgers analyses Leicester City’s 2-0 Premier League win over Leeds United
- The Foxes have now registered three shutouts in a row at King Power Stadium
- The manager was thrilled with a number of aspects of his side
An own goal from Robin Koch, forced by Dennis Praet, and a neat finish from Harvey Barnes through the legs of Illan Meslier handed the Foxes all three points courtesy of an assured performance against Jesse Marsch’s men.
Defending well when required, City secured their third consecutive home clean sheet and their second victory of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign to move off the foot of the standings after gameweek 11.
“Performance wise, we were excellent,” Rodgers told LCFC TV. “Obviously, the two goals, I’m pleased with, even though the first one was an own goal.
“We played very well, and I thought the intensity of the pressure and the togetherness was very clear tonight, so I’m pleased with the guys.
“We knew there was going to be a lot of fighting football. We had to fight for the second, third and fourth ball, we matched that intensity and that was pleasing.”
When asked about the quality of attacking play, Rodgers was encouraged in his reply, citing the fluidity of the two moves that led to Leicester’s goals.
“Excellent,” said Rodgers of the move that led to City’s first goal. “Finding the right areas and right positions, the cross comes in and it doesn’t quite get one of your players on it, but it was a good enough ball and there was enough pressure on the defender to make a mistake, and that’s what happened.
“For me, in terms of being a coach, it’s a perfect goal for us – it’s everything. Leading into the game, our movement pattern on that side of the field, to try and create the space to penetrate in behind. Vards’ (Jamie Vardy) touch was a great little back-heel, and then the awareness of Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall] to play in Barnesy… it was a brilliant goal.
“We had to show a desire, we know we’d come under pressure and they’d make changes. We have to stay concentrated and focused on our defending, and the players did that very well.”
Belgium midfielder Praet, making his second start of the Premier League in 2022/23, pleased Rodgers, who credited him for the impact he made.
He said: “I thought he was excellent in the game. It’s a shame he had a chance just before he comes off. That was through tiredness more than anything, but I thought he was excellent. He’s a good footballer, he works very hard, and I was really, really pleased for him.
“It’s small steps (recent form) and that’s what I’ve said it’s going to be for the team this season after the start. We’ve just got to keep building on it, we don’t look like a team that’s where we are.
“Our confidence is there, but you have to show that desire that we did tonight to consistently win games. So, let’s take this mentality into our next game.”