Trailing to an opening goal from Burnley’s Dean Marney at the break, the Foxes emerged with a different setup in the second period, as boss Nigel Pearson switched from a 4-4-2 formation to a 4-3-3.
And with outstanding young Frenchman Anthony Knockaert highly influential in attack, a landmark goal from David Nugent and a first at King Power Stadium for summer signing Jamie Vardy brought about a welcome reverse in the score-line.
Filling in for boss Pearson in the post-match press conference, Shakey said: “At the start of the game Burnley’s shape was very difficult to break down. They obviously then scored a good counter-attacking goal from their point of view and that put us on the back foot, because the first goal is important in any Championship game.
“We tinkered with it a little bit at half-time, brought Anthony in off one of the wide positions and played him in behind the striker, which we felt was pivotal in us getting back in the game.
“I’m delighted for the boys in terms of the spirit and the courage they showed because the fans made their feelings known at half-time. I think that was more out of frustration with the result rather than the performance.”
Neither goal would have won any beauty contests – Nugent’s a scuffed half-volley after some poor Burnley defending and Vardy’s a deflected finish from a tight angle.
But Shakey was delighted to see City’s two front men on the score-sheet, particularly Nugent, whose wait for his 100th career goal was ended after a barren run of 11 games.
“Front players live off their goals,” Shakey said.
“David has been on 99 goals for a while so we’re pleased for him because his endeavour and work-rate are outstanding. To get off that will hopefully give him the confidence to push on.”
City’s focus will now switch to Sunday’s visit of Pearson and Shakespeare’s former club Hull City, where the Foxes will be hoping to make it four out of four in the league at King Power Stadium.
“There are another three points at stake and hopefully tonight will give us a lot of confidence to take into Sunday,” Shakey said.