Leicester City’s Season Review: March

It began with a notoriously tricky trip to Turf Moor to face Burnley in the Premier League on 3 March, as Leicester City looked to get on track following two successive defeats.

Though City would fall behind to an early strike from Matêj Vydra, the visitors came roaring back shortly after the half-hour mark thanks to a stunning, Goal of the Season contender from in-form forward Kelechi Iheanacho.

The Nigerian international took an inch-perfect aerial pass from international team-mate Wilfred Ndidi in his stride, watching the ball over his shoulder before volleying beyond a helpless Nick Pope in the Burnley goal. 1-1.

And that’s how it stayed in east Lancashire, with Portuguese midfielder Sidnei Tavares making his debut from the bench, prior to his first start three days later.

Another testing away fixture was just around the corner. Brighton & Hove Albion entertained Brendan Rodgers’ side at AMEX Stadium and again it was the home side seizing the initiative early on.

Adam Lallana, once signed by Rodgers at Liverpool, broke the deadlock, but Iheanacho led a comeback once more, equalising on 62 minutes. A sublime no-look pass from Youri Tielemans set up the striker, whose cool finish on 62 minutes was indicative of his run in front of goal.

This time, however, City would go one better and complete the turnaround. Ghanaian defender Daniel Amartey popped up as the hero, heading in Marc Albrighton’s corner late on for his first Leicester goal in over four years.

It was the Foxes’ 10th away win of the season and set the side up nicely for a King Power Stadium return against Sheffield United the following weekend.

Rooted to the foot of the top flight standings, and having just parted company with Chris Wilder, City sensed an opportunity to grab some goals. Somewhat predictably, Iheanacho had a big hand in helping Leicester to another success.

Opening the scoring in the first half with a poacher’s finish in the six-yard box, Ayoze Pérez then collected Albrighton’s pass, striding forward with purpose before arrowing an accurate drive into the bottom corner.

Just as he had for the opener, Jamie Vardy was the architect of Iheanacho’s second, sliding a defensive splitting through ball across the face of goal for the forward to fire home with his unfavoured right foot.

Iheanacho saved the best for last, wrapping up his first-ever Leicester City hat-trick by hammering a fierce strike past Aaron Ramsdale from outside the area. It was a truly magical day for the striker and the Foxes weren’t done there.

Vardy’s late effort cannoned in off Ethan Ampadu to make it 5-0, equalling the Club’s biggest Premier League home win and providing the perfect preparation for an Emirates FA Cup Quarter-Final.

Manchester United were the opponents for the last-eight cup encounter on Filbert Way, another side currently occupying a place in the upper echelons of the Premier League table. But both teams were very much focused on reaching the Wembley semi-final.

Leicester started brightly and took a deserved lead courtesy of who else but Iheanacho. Pouncing on a mistimed back pass from Fred, he nipped in before Dean Henderson, rounding the stranded United ‘keeper before calmly slotting the ball home.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side were back on level terms before the interval when Paul Pogba was able to fire a low cross into the penalty box and, following a clever dummy from Donny van De Beek, Mason Greenwood made no mistake with a first-time finish.

Rodgers’ men came back strongly. Tielemans and Iheanacho combined, exchanging a quick one-two before the former took control of possession and produced a moment of magic. Moving forward unchallenged, he was able to reach the edge of the area and subsequently find the far corner of the net.

A decisive third from Iheanacho, heading in Albrighton’s free-kick at the back post, ensured it would be the Foxes off to Wembley to face Southampton in a month’s time.

They would be cheered on by a small number of permitted supporters for the event. A first FA Cup Semi-Final in 39 years loomed, together with five further Premier League fixtures in April.