Tag: Leicester City

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LEICESTER BOSS, BRENDAN RODGERS RULES OUT MOVE TO TOTTENHAM

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said he has no interest in leaving the Premier League club for the vacant job at Tottenham.

The former Liverpool and Celtic manager, 48, had been touted as a leading candidate to join Spurs after they sacked Jose Mourinho last week.

Leicester are third in the Premier League — on track to qualify for next season’s Champions League — while Spurs are five points off the top four after a disappointing season.

“Tottenham is a great club, one of the biggest clubs in Britain, but for me I’m just in a really, really happy place in my life,” Rodgers said, according to media reports.

“I have a huge respect here for the players, the board and I really feel that I want to continue my work here.

“I’m very, very happy here and I’m happy because I’ve got a set of players that give me their heart and soul every single day and also I can see a future here in terms of the development of the squad.”

The Northern Irishman, who joined Leicester in 2019, said he had a strong relationship with the board at the King Power Stadium.

“I think over the last couple of years what we’ve been able to do is build an infrastructure around behaviour and creating a mindset in order to win,” he said.

“That’s not easy and it’s taken us a couple of years but you see now the mentality around developing that will and desire to win.

“And now for the next period of years let’s see if we can roll that out now that we’ve created that mentality.”

German champions Bayern Munich announced this week B Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann, who had also been linked with the Tottenham job, would be joining them from next season.

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KELECHI IHEANACHO STARS AGAIN AS LEICESTER DO A COME BACK WIN AGAINST CRYSTAL PALACE

Leicester closed in on a Champions League return after red-hot Kelechi Iheanacho struck again to beat Crystal Palace.

The forward’s late winner – his 14th goal in 14 games – clinched a 2-1 victory to leave the Foxes three wins away from booking a top-four spot.

Timothy Castagne had earlier cancelled out Wilfried Zaha’s opener as the Foxes, who sit third in the Premier League, were forced to dig deep.

They moved seven points clear of fifth-placed West Ham with five games remaining and tantalisingly close to Europe’s top table.

Inconsistent Palace, with no immediate threat of relegation, gave the Foxes a fright but are destined to finish in mid-table.

They were immediately on the back foot at the King Power Stadium when Iheanacho’s pinpoint pass found Jamie Vardy, who ran out of room trying to round Vicente Guaita

The former England striker was also thwarted by Cheikhou Kouyate and fired over inside the first 10 minutes and would have been encouraged by the ease with which he found space.

Yet the Foxes found themselves behind from Palace’s first attack after 12 minutes.

Christian Benteke left Youri Tielemans in a heap in midfield and Leicester were suddenly exposed. Ebere Eze’s inch-perfect pass slipped Zaha in and the forward beat Kasper Schmeichel for his 10th top-flight goal of the season.

A home defeat to Palace was not in Leicester’s script as they aim to return to the Champions League after a four-year absence but the early gaps in the Eagles’ defence disappeared.

Palace closed ranks and dished out some thunderous challenges, especially on James Maddison and Iheanacho.

Caglar Soyuncu lashed over but Leicester were out of sync, missing the spark which has kept them in the top four all season, and Maddison’s shot which went for a throw summed up their struggles.

They reached the break behind but their recovery began after just five minutes of the second half.

Tielemans’ ball found Iheanacho and he held off Kouyate to tee up Castagne, who fired in high past Guaita from 10 yards.

Yet the Foxes needed Jonny Evans to keep them level just six minutes later.

Zaha put Jairo Riedewald clean through and he drew Schmeichel before passing across to Benteke – only for Evans’ brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny the striker a tap-in.

Leicester, though, began to regain some swagger and Maddison and Vardy shot at Guaita, while Vardy’s celebrations were quickly cut short by an offside flag after he turned in with 20 minutes left.

Just before, Benteke headed Eze’s corner straight at Schmeichel but Vardy went closer to a winner 13 minutes from time when he swapped passes with Iheanacho and fired across goal.

Tielemans shot wide but Leicester finally got the winner they had threatened with 10 minutes left.

Almost inevitably it was in-form Iheanacho and, when the striker collected Evans’ deep pass, he held off Patrick Van Aanholt, cut inside Scott Dann and lashed into the roof of the net.

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WILFRED NDIDI URGES TEAM MATES TO FOCUS ON EACH GAME EN ROUTE TOP FOUR CHASE

Wilfred Ndidi has urged Leicester to focus during their Champions League chase.

The Foxes host Crystal Palace on Monday as they look to return to the Champions League for the first time in four years.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are third in the Premier League after Thursday’s 3-0 win over West Brom and have also reached the FA Cup final.

They missed out on the top four on the final day of last season and Ndidi wants no distractions.

He said: “It (the West Brom win) has gone now, so we just look forward to the next one. Crystal Palace is the next one.

“It’s just another final for us, I would say, because every game now until the end of the season is very strong and teams are really looking for the points, so we won’t relax. We’ll just try and give our best and do our thing.”4
Kelechi Iheanacho has 13 goals in his last 13 games after scoring in the win over Albion and Ndidi praised his Nigeria international team-mate.

“He just can’t stop scoring at the moment, so I’m very happy for him,” the midfielder told the club’s official site. “I’m very proud. I just want him to keep doing the things and keep scoring to help the team, so it is good for us.

“The gaffer also speaks to us about being confident with the ball and being confident about our play.

“It’s just one of those things where you, as a player, you just need to believe in yourself and I see it in him now. He really believes in himself now and the confidence is there.”

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VARDY ENDS GOAL DROUGHT AS LEICESTER THRASH WESTBROM TO GET A GRIP ON TOP FOUR

Jamie Vardy ended his two-month goal drought as Leicester tightened their grip on a Champions League spot by breezing past West Brom.

Striker Vardy, who had not netted in his previous 11 games, kick-started a 3-0 win to help push the Baggies closer to the drop.

In-form Kelechi Iheanacho and Jonny Evans, against his former club, also netted first-half goals to put the Foxes, who remain third in the Premier League, four points clear of fifth-placed West Ham.

Outclassed Albion, nine points from safety, saw their survival hopes suffer a damaging blow and were left to rue Mbaye Diagne’s early mis-kick.

They have just six games to save themselves but look destined to return to the Sky Bet Championship after a first-half rout at the King Power Stadium.

Still buoyant after reaching their first FA Cup final for 52 years on Sunday, the Foxes should have gone ahead after three minutes.
Conor Townsend’s mistake allowed Iheanacho to run clean through but the forward – with 12 goals in his previous 12 games – took a heavy touch which allowed Sam Johnstone to force him wide.

The goalkeeper eventually blocked the shot and the Foxes nearly paid the price shortly after.

Wesley Forfana’s poor head fell kindly for Matheus Pereira who calmly found Diagne six yards out, only for the striker to completely miss his kick.

Leicester survived and took charge with two quick strikes as Vardy ended his long wait for a goal after 23 minutes.

Youri Tielemans’ pass split the Albion defence for Timothy Castagne to run clear and find Vardy to finish for his 15th of the season but just a second goal in 20 games.

Three minutes later it was 2-0 when Callum Robinson deflected Tielemans’ corner perfectly for Evans to hammer home a header from six yards.

The Foxes threatened to run riot and James Maddison sent Castagne away but the left-back drilled against the post before Maddison tested Johnstone from distance.

The Baggies were remarkably open, reminiscent of when they conceded 19 goals in Allardyce’s first five home games, and Leicester wrapped the game up nine minutes before the break.

Vardy glided past Townsend to tee up Iheanacho who continued his hot streak by firing into the roof of the net.

It came seconds after Pereira’s corner hit the top of Leicester’s bar but there was no way back for West Brom.

Nigeria international Iheanacho blazed over soon after while Matt Phillips drove at Kasper Schmeichel in a rare Albion opening.

The Foxes had blown the visitors away, and they continued to hound the Baggies after the break with Dara O’Shea deflecting Iheanacho’s drive over.

Albion at least tightened up to deny Leicester more space, but they lacked any intensity to fight their way back.

Vardy, though, almost embarrassed Phillips with 19 minutes left when the winger left Evans’ clearance to roll out.

The ball stayed in and Vardy tried to catch out Johnstone from 40 yards, but his strike trickled wide.

Iheanacho was denied a second when Johnstone saved his free kick with 10 minutes left, but Leicester inched closer to a Champions League return with Albion heading for the Championship.

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IHEANACHO SCORES AS LEICESTER HOLD OFF SOUTHAMPTON TO REACH FA CUP FINAL

Kelechi Iheanacho scored the game’s only goal as Leicester City saw out a narrow victory over Southampton at Wembley on Sunday night to book a spot against Chelsea in the FA Cup final

Leicester, who have never won the FA Cup, had the better of the chances in the first half and might have gone ahead near the half-hour mark when Jamie Vardy got in behind the Saints defence, but his chipped shot sailed just wide of the far post.

Iheanacho put the Foxes in front early in the second half when he collected the rebound from his own shot from Jamie Vardy’s cut-back and slotted his second attempt past Fraser Forster to give Brendan Rodger’s side the lead.

Leicester will play Chelsea, who beat Manchester City 1-0 in the other semi on Saturday, in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 15

A limited number of fans are expected to be allowed into Wembley for the final after a crowd of around 4,000, mainly local residents, were attended the semifinal as part of a test event for the return of crowds as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

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JESSE LINGARD BRACE DOWN LEICESTER CITY DESPITE IHEANACHO’S LATE STRIKES

Jesse Lingard continued his fine form with two goals as West Ham United returned to the top four with a 3-2 win over Leicester City at London Stadium.

West Ham went ahead on 29 minutes with a fantastic first-time finish from Lingard, who swept in Vladimir Coufal’s cross on the half-volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Lingard scored again on 44 minutes, tapping into an empty net after Jarrod Bowen beat Kasper Schmeichel to the ball.

Bowen added the Hammers’ third when he turned in Tomas Soucek’s pass three minutes into the second half.

Kelechi Iheanacho set up a tense finale with two goals in the final 20 minutes.

First the Nigerian finished on the turn after being set up by Ricardo Pereira before he fired in from close range in stoppage time.

West Ham held on to return to fourth place on 55 points, a point and a position behind Leicester.

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KELECHI IHEANACHO SIGNS NEW LEICESTER CONTRACT UNTIL 2024

Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho has signed a new deal running to 2024, the club have announced.

The 24-year-old Nigeria international, who joined from Manchester City in 2017, has been in sparkling recent form for the Foxes, scoring nine times in his last nine appearances in all competitions.

That included netting five goals in three Premier League matches in March, and he was named the division’s player of the month.

Iheanacho told Leicester’s official website: “I can’t express how I’m feeling. I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m overwhelmed! It’s a great moment and I’m happy that Leicester City gave me a new contract.

“It’s been a great time here. It’s not been easy, but there’s a lot of people here that are good people, great people to work with. They are nice people and they make me feel comfortable and welcome since I came in.

“It’s been really great being here. It’s like a family. I’m happy being here and hopefully I can stay here many more years.”

Iheanacho’s tally this season of 12 is among a total of 32 goals he has registered for Leicester in 117 games in all competitions.

He previously scored 12 goals in 46 league appearances for Manchester City, who Leicester face at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said of Iheanacho ahead of the fixture: “I think you see a young player playing at the top of his game.

“When he was at Manchester City he was a young developing player who hadn’t played much. He came here for a big fee (reported to be £25million) and then of course coming into a team with one of the league’s best strikers (Jamie Vardy) has needed some adapting from him.

“I can only speak for the two years I’ve been here but his work, his ambition to become a better player was always there.

“He’s a wonderful character within the squad, constantly smiling, and whatever role he’s been asked to play he’s played it very well.

“The combination between him and Jamie is very good and at 24 there’s a lot of improvement in him.”

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GABRIEL JESUS ON TARGET AS LEADERS MANCHESTER CITY EASE PAST LEICESTER WITH 2-0 VICTORY

Birthday boy Gabriel Jesus continued in-form Manchester City’s march to the Premier League title after a classy victory at Leicester.

The striker, who turned 24 on Saturday, wrapped up a 2-0 win at the King Power Stadium as Pep Guardiola’s men made it 15 straight away wins in all competitions.

Benjamin Mendy’s second-half opener sent them on their way and City are 17 points clear at the top with seven games left after a 26th win in their last 27 games.

Fernandinho had a goal ruled out while Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick hit the crossbar.

Jamie Vardy also had a goal disallowed for offside but the third-placed Foxes missed the chance to climb above Manchester United into second after being outclassed.

They thumped City 5-2 at the Etihad in September but there was to be no repeat this time.

The leaders dominated the ball early and thought they had a breakthrough after five minutes.

Fernandinho cracked a first-time half volley into the bottom corner from 30 yards only for it to be disallowed because Sergio Aguero was offside and in Kasper Schmeichel’s eyeline.

The visitors pinned the Foxes in their own half and, while Leicester still looked to pass their way out of any trouble, they never had the ball long enough to make a dent going forward.

Aguero volleyed over after Timothy Castagne’s clearance was charged down but the Foxes had kept any City chances to a minimum.

De Bruyne, though, came close to an opener after 23 minutes. The midfielder was fortunate to earn a free-kick after minimal contact from Wilfred Ndidi and stepped up to smash the bar from 25 yards.

The warning signs were there but Leicester’s concentration levels in the face of City pressure were excellent.

A goal would have capped a first-half masterclass from Guardiola’s side but Schmeichel denied Riyad Mahrez with his legs four minutes before the break and De Bruyne curled wide seconds later.

Jesus also fired over but City escaped in first-half stoppage time.

Ndidi beat De Bruyne to the ball and Ayoze Perez fed Vardy to round Ederson and score, although his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

It at least gave the Foxes encouragement and they began the second half with more intent, Youri Tielemans shooting at Ederson before Ruben Dias blocked Vardy’s drive.

But City got the opener their display deserved after 58 minutes from an unlikely source.

Schmeichel parried Mahrez’s effort and City regained control of the ball to cross for Jesus, who could not get a shot away. It fell for Mendy and he cut inside Marc Albrighton to curl in just his second Premier League goal from 10 yards.

Leicester had no response and Jesus grabbed a second with 16 minutes left.

De Bruyne’s sumptuous throughball sent the striker clear and he passed to Raheem Sterling, who held the ball up and squared for Jesus to stab in his fifth goal in six top-flight games against the Foxes.

Former Leicester winger Mahrez should have made it 3-0 soon after but curled wide, while James Maddison shot at Ederson as the Foxes chased a late consolation.

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IHEANACHO STARS AS LEICESTER OUTCLASS MANCHESTER UNITED TO REACH FA CUP SEMI FINAL

Kelechi Iheanacho’s double fired Leicester to a 3-1 win over Manchester United and a first FA Cup semi-final in 39 years.

The in-form striker now has nine goals in his last nine games and booked a last four showdown with Southampton at Wembley next month.

Youri Tielemans also netted to put the Foxes – four-time runners-up – a game away from their first FA Cup final since 1969.

Mason Greenwood did haul United level in the first half – after Fred’s mistake presented Iheanacho with the opener.

It was just Leicester’s second win over United in 23 years but a deserved one as they outplayed and outfought the visitors.

The Europa League is now United’s only realistic chance of a trophy this season with Manchester City unlikely to be caught in the Premier League.

Fred set the tone for his own erratic display early when he lost the ball to allow Iheanacho and Ayoze Perez to break, Jamie Vardy’s initial cross was blocked but returned to the striker and Dean Henderson parried his low effort.

Vardy wasted a fine opening soon after when his shot was blocked by Harry Maguire with Iheanacho free but Leicester were sharper than United.

They were more controlled and composed and were gifted the lead by Fred after 24 minutes.

United tried to pass their way out from the back and, when Maguire played Fred into trouble, the midfielder sold Henderson woefully short.

It allowed Iheanacho to nip in, round the goalkeeper and tap into an empty net for his 12th goal in 18 FA Cup appearances.

The Foxes continued to press but were pegged back when United burst into life seven minutes before the break.

Paul Pogba found space on the left and his cross was dummied by Donny Van de Beek for Greenwood to sweep in from eight yards.

Perez came close to restoring Leicester’s lead ahead of half-time only for his 18-yard effort to go wide and the Foxes were missing the creativity of injured duo James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.

Yet, six minutes after the break, Tielemans – who is the Foxes’ chief creator without the pair – restored their lead.

The midfielder swapped passes with Iheanacho to drive towards goal and, as Fred struggled to keep up, United’s defence parted to allow the Belgium international to find the bottom corner from 18 yards.

Alex Telles drilled wide as United looked for an instant response before Vardy should have ended the tie after 58 minutes.

Again Iheanacho was involved as he found the striker who skipped past a static Maguire but, with just Henderson to beat, dragged wide of the near post.

It prompted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer into a quadruple change with Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay and Edinson Cavani brought on, which did little to change United’s fortunes.

And former Manchester City striker Iheanacho – who scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United last week – sealed Leicester’s progress with 12 minutes left when he was left unmarked to head in Marc Albrighton’s free kick from two yards.

Kasper Schmeichel turned Fernandes’ late free-kick over but there was no way back for United.

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EPL: IHEANACHO VOLLEY EARNS LEICESTER A POINT AT BURNLEY

A stunning volley from Kelechi Iheanacho earned Leicester City a 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor.

Matej Vydra had given Burnley a fourth-minute lead when he pounced on a mistake by Hamza Choudhury to score his first Premier League goal since February 2020.

But Leicester were back on level terms in the 34th minute through Iheanacho’s sublime first-time volley from Wilfred Ndidi’s pass over the top.

Sean Dyche’s men almost restored their advantage shortly after half-time, but Chris Wood’s header was brilliantly saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

Burnley continued to press for a winner and a sweet half-volley by Ashley Westwood came back off the post.

The result keeps Burnley in 15th on 29 points, six above the relegation zone, while Leicester remain third on 50 points.