Battling Foxes Reclaim Third With Win At Palace
Brendan Rodgers named the same starting XI that surged to a 9-0 victory over Southampton in their last league outing, while skipper Wes Morgan came off the bench in the second half to make his 301st appearance for the Foxes in all competitions.
Academy graduate Harvey Barnes, who has five Premier League assists to his name in 2019/20, curled straight at Vicente Guaita in the opening five minutes, while his neat flick was then followed by a fine pass from James Maddison, who found Vardy, but the Foxes No.9 couldn’t beat the Palace stopper at the front post.
Norther Ireland international Jonny Evans headed a Maddison corner onto the roof of the net shortly after, while ex-City defender Patrick Van Aanholt slammed a strike well over Kasper Schmeichel’s crossbar at the other end.
The Denmark international was then called into action by former team-mate Jeffrey Schlupp, whose deflected effort had to be tipped over with five minutes of the first half to go.
A closely-fought opening 45 minutes was followed up by a brilliant second-half display from the Foxes, who again went close through Evans, but the Leicester No.6 couldn’t beat Guaita in the Palace net.
However, from the resulting corner, Maddison found Turkey sensation Söyüncü, who stooped down to head the ball into the back of the net to put City 1-0 up with 57 minutes on the clock.
Further wayward strikes from Schlupp and Van Aanholt followed as the hosts attempted to level matters, before midfielder Wilfred Ndidi hammered a sweetly-struck half-volley narrowly wide from 25 yards out.
City continued to press in an attempt to seal the victory, and they did exactly that with two minutes of normal time remaining. Substitute Demarai Gray and Vardy combined in excellent fashion, as the No.9 swept the ball into the bottom corner to secure all three points.
England international left-back Ben Chilwell, meanwhile, nearly made it 3-0, only for his strike to cannon back off the inside of the post.
Major moment
After a goalless first half in which both sides had opportunities to go in front, the opening goal would be crucial in the overall result.
City emerged from the interval with a determination that eventually led to them taking the lead through Çağlar Söyüncü, who headed home just before the hour mark.
The Turkey defender’s maiden goal in Leicester colours put the visiting side in a favourable position, before Jamie Vardy struck goal no.10 of 2019/20 to make it three away wins on the bounce in all competitions.
Who impressed?
Tony Cottee told LCFC Radio after commentating on the game: “It’s a tough one. When we were at Southampton, I could have chosen seven or eight players. I thought Youri Tielemans was really good in midfield today and it was a great finish from Jamie Vardy.
“But Çağlar Söyüncü was defensively magnificent today and he got his goal. What a signing he’s turning out to be, and what a player he is. My Man of the Match today has to be Çağlar Söyüncü.”
Where do we stand?
City reclaim third position in the top-flight standings, leapfrogging Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, after earning their seventh Premier League triumph of the campaign.
After 11 matches, they have earned 23 points, and now sit six points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal.
Coming up…
The Gunners visit King Power Stadium on Saturday 9 November (5:30pm GMT kick-off) ahead of the final international break of 2019.