Matchday Live Talking Points: Substitutions, Knowledge & Concentration
- Matt Elliott, Gerry Taggart and Nev Foulger reflect on Leicester City’s 2-1 victory over Burnley
- The trio were discussing the triumph on LCFC Radio’s Matchday Live show
- The Foxes recovered from a one-goal deficit to secure all three Premier League points
A fifth win from nine Premier League matches in 2019/20 came courtesy of strikes from Jamie Vardy and Youri Tielemans, as City recovered from Chris Wood’s opener to claim three points from a challenging encounter.
With Taggart on commentary duties for LCFC Radio, and Elliott and Foulger watching on from the pressbox, all three discussed a number of major talking points post-match while on the airwaves at King Power Stadium.
Demarai Gray’s introduction, the efforts of Harvey Barnes, Vardy’s header and Jonny Evans’ footballing knowledge were all topics of conversation, while Elliott believes now is the time to focus as City continue their fine start to the campaign.
Good substitutions
Nev Foulger said: “I thought it was a deserving second goal for Leicester, because at that time, they were getting on top. It was a good substitution, with Gray coming on. He played a big part in that goal. It was a nice dummy from Harvey Barnes and a super finish. Tielemans had to turn, but he buried the shot into the top of the net.”
Unselfish Barnes
Matt Elliott said: “Harvey Barnes played his part in the second goal. He made that run across his man – an unselfish run, because he’s not going to score from there – and it opened up the Burnley defence. That enabled the ball to go through to Tielemans, and Gray was lively when he came on, too.”
Evans’ football knowledge
Gerry Taggart said: “He’s in his prime, and the key is staying fit. Jonny Evans has that football knowledge and 95 per cent of the time, when he walks on the pitch, he’ll run through in his head what’s going to happen, and you’ll see that in the game. He knows where to be, and he knows where to organise. That’s why you see him strolling games.”
Vardy’s vital goal
Nev Foulger said: “I think if Leicester had gone in at half-time 1-0 down, it would have been a very difficult second half. The Vardy equaliser right on half-time changed the complexion of the game. Certainly, it would have been a massive boost for Leicester to have that goal behind them when they went in at half-time, and I’m sure it probably changed Brendan Rodgers’ half-time talk.”
Consistent Ricardo
Gerry Taggart said: “Ricardo Pereira made a header at the back post today, which was essential. He’s got to mark [Jay] Rodriguez, who’s taller than him, but he made sure he got that header in to clear the ball. Then, up the other end of the pitch, he’s passing the ball to people inside the box. He’s not just whipping a cross in, he's making a concerted effort to make sure it goes to a blue shirt.”
Time to concentrate
Matt Elliott said: “They are, without a doubt, a good outfit. It’s nice to talk about it, and supporters definitely will relish the moment, but there’s no need for talk about the Champions League just yet. It’s there in the background – the top six or top four – and it gets mentioned, but it’s about getting on being as good as you can be and seeing where it takes you.”