Leicester City best display in months rewarded Boss Appreciate

Leicester City were at their dominant best to claim victory over Norwich City and keep their promotion fate in their own hands.

In their strongest performance for months, City came from behind to beat the Canaries, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Stephy Mavididi, and Jamie Vardy all on target. It’s only their second win in seven Championship matches, but ensures they remain in charge of their own destiny in the battle with Ipswich, Leeds and Southampton.

It looked like it could be another difficult afternoon when Gabriel Sara poked in a well-worked Norwich corner routine, but in a performance full of threat and controlled possession, City quickly equalised through Dewsbury-Hall’s header. Then their heavy pressure paid off in the second half, as Mavididi slid in the second before Vardy slammed in the points-sealing third late on.

Maresca made three changes to his side, with fit-again Ricardo Pereira starting for the first time since the loss to Leeds more than a month ago, and with Callum Doyle and Patson Daka also brought back in. The latter two combined for City’s first good chance in what was a promising start

Dominating possession and looking a threat in attack, particularly down their left flank, City nearly got in behind when Doyle curled a delightful pass around the Norwich defence for Daka. The Zambian was closed down by Canaries keeper Angus Gunn, who blocked the cross that would have left Stephy Mavididi with a tap-in.

But as can be the case when a team is out of form, City went behind against the run of play. Norwich completely caught them out with a well-worked corner routine, feigning to send a delivery to the edge of the box but then drilling one low to the front post where Gabriel Sara poked in.

Neither the City players nor the fans were deterred, and both responded strongly. City kept attacking and soon they had their equaliser. Wilfred Ndidi crossed to the far post, Mavididi nodded it back across and Dewsbury-Hall was in the right place to head in.

And City did not let up there. They pushed to take the lead before the break, but Harry Winks’ low effort was saved before Abdul Fatawu got underneath the ball to blaze over from close range.

The City pressure only grew in the second half. Ndidi had a toepoke blocked by Gunn and then Daka pounced on a Sam McCallum mistake to nearly flick in before City finally took the lead on the hour.

It was the same three players involved as for the first goal, with Ndidi crossing, with Dewsbury-Hall this time receiving, the midfielder re-adjusting his feet to set up Mavididi. The winger then cutely dinking the ball over Jack Stacey’s challenge before coolly finishing into the far corner.

Importantly, City didn’t let up. They didn’t sit back and allow Norwich to push for an equaliser. They instead kept going themselves and got third in injury time. Harry Winks bundled through the challenges before his shot was blocked, with substitute Vardy on hand to slam in the rebound.

Mads Hermansen: City’s dominance meant it was a quiet afternoon for Hermansen. There was no clean sheet after he was beaten by the corner, but there were no saves to make beyond that. On the ball, he was composed, bar for one wayward pass out, and mopped up well too. 6

Ricardo Pereira: He did not do anything spectacular, but he was a pleasingly calm presence back in the team. He made time for himself on the ball and moved it forward well, while he made strong challenges at the back too, including one excellent sliding tackle to stop a counter-attack. 7

Wout Faes: So much better than on Friday. He was aggressive in the press to brilliant effect, routinely pinching the ball off Norwich attackers, while he advanced into good areas and defended his own box strongly too. 8

Jannik Vestergaard: There were a few nice clipped passes out to both wings, and he was cool under heavy pressure too. But he was booked for a late challenge and didn’t supply as many passes through the lines as he usually does. 6

Callum Doyle: Supported Mavididi down the left in attacks throughout the game, mixing his game up with crosses from deep or runs in behind himself. His forward passing with his sweet left foot was excellent at times, and makes City a different proposition. Defensively solid against Stacey. 8

Harry Winks: He dictated play throughout and counteracted Norwich’s high press with some nice passes through the lines. Kept things steady through the second half before bundling through to set up Vardy’s late goal. 7

Wilfred Ndidi: His presence in midfield has been a big boost for Leicester. He got forward, constantly making runs to support Fatawu, won the ball back in midfield and tracked back when required. Delivered a superb ball to the back post for Dewsbury-Hall’s leveller out wide. 8

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: He was consistently in good positions thanks to his energy and intelligent runs into spaces on the left. Finding those pockets allowed him to nod in the equaliser and set up Mavididi’s goal, for which he adjusted his feet well to create. 8

Abdul Fatawu: It took ironic cheers from the crowd to get him the ball more regularly, but once he did get involved, he weaved his magic, causing McCallum all sorts of problem, linking well with Ndidi, and making himself a threat. His final ball and decision-making wasn’t perfect, but he was much improved from Friday. 8

Patson Daka: He made some fine runs off the shoulder of the last man and was sharp to any defensive mistakes Norwich might make, showing frustration with himself when he caught out McCallum but couldn’t apply the finish. His link-up play was good too until he tired late on. 7

Stephy Mavididi: Took his goal very well with a brilliant flick over the defender and curling effort. Not everything went his way but he kept his head up and stayed persistent. A goal and assist in the same game since QPR away in October. 8

Jamie Vardy: After a bad day in front of goal at Bristol, Vardy was back to doing what he does best. He scored Leicester’s third in injury-time by being in the right place at the right time. 7

Hamza Choudhury: He didn’t have a lot to do, such was City’s dominance late on. He needed an easy few minutes after a difficult afternoon on Friday.