Foxes Claim Impressive Wolves Win
A sensational Youri Tielemans strike, added to by efforts from Harvey Barnes, James Maddison and Jamie Vardy, and a fourth clean sheet in five outings, saw City beat Wolves away from home for the first time since 2006.
After the midweek victory over Leeds United, manager Brendan Rodgers brought Maddison back into the XI in place of Dennis Praet, while Patson Daka started ahead of Vardy as part of two changes to the side. Winger Marc Albrighton made a return on the bench after recovering from illness, and Tielemans continued as skipper, donning a Rainbow Laces-inspired captain's armband in support of the campaign, which spans across matchweek 12 and 13.
Following a morning deluge in the West Midlands, conditions improved as the rain halted and the football commenced. City had to defend in the early stages. Daniel Podence had his strike blocked by Daniel Amartey after Boubakary Soumaré had surrendered possession in the middle of the pitch. Diego Costa then fired off target, via a deflection from Timothy Castagne, before Podence's long-ranger from the resulting corner was turned behind.
Absorbing the Wolves pressure, City took the lead in emphatic fashion. Barnes was brought down by Jonny – carded for his troubles – on the left flank and Maddison was the man to whip in the free-kick. It was initially headed away, but only to the feet of Tielemans, who unleashed a fearsome half-volley into the top left corner to add to his catalogue of wonderstrikes.
Not long after, Wales 'keeper Danny Ward had to be alert to Matheus Nunes' shot before Amartey once again made an important block to stop Diego Costa's effort from inside the box and Castagne got in the way of Hugo Bueno's drive. This all came inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour, during what was a none-stop encounter in the first period.
City's sturdy defending paid dividends once more on 20 minutes, as Barnes, a goalscorer against Leeds on Thursday, collected Maddison's pass and played a give-and-go with fellow Academy graduate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall before slotting in past José Sá for 2-0. He wheeled away in front of 3,008 travelling Foxes fans after notching for the fourth time in the Premier League this term.
A golden opportunity for a three-goal lead presented itself to Tielemans after James Justin had won possession in the Wolves half and offloaded it to Dewsbury-Hall, however the Belgium international couldn't connect with the No.22's delivery as Sá applied pressure inside his own six-yard box.
Costa's stooping header flew wide via the impressive Wout Faes with around five first-half minutes to play, while Justin's back-post block from the corner-kick prevented the former Chelsea striker from tucking in after Nunes had flicked on João Moutinho's free-kick, conceded by a handball from Dewsbury-Hall.
Before the first half concluded, Ward had to be alert to pull off a fine save to prevent Podence from lashing in with his left boot, and then he held onto Costa's follow-up header to maintain his clean sheet heading into the interval. Tielemans and Barnes had the visitors two goals to the good after 45 minutes.
Wolves set about recovering from their deficit as Rúben Neves blasted a free-kick narrowly wide, prior to Ward gathering Costa's downwards header with 54 minutes on the clock. A triple change for City followed just after the hour mark, introducing Papy Mendy, Praet and Vardy. Soumaré, Dewsbury-Hall and Daka made way.
Soon, it was 3-0 to Leicester, with one of the substitutes assisting the goal. Castagne was fouled 25 yards from goal but play continued and Vardy picked out Maddison, who shrugged off his marker before arrowing a shot into the bottom corner past Sá.
After Vardy's run had been cut short by a challenge from Nathan Collins, Barnes retreated and on came vice-captain Albrighton for the final 10 minutes plus stoppage time. Vardy would have his goal soon after, though, as he converted from close range after a brilliant cross from Castagne – the striker's first strike of 2022/23 and City's fourth of the afternoon. It meant he became the first player in Premier League history to score 100 goals since turning 30.
From then on, it was about managing the game for the Foxes, whose four goals and another shutout were enough to see them make it 10 points from a possible 15 on offer from their last five matches.
Major moment – Tielemans' belter
Wolves had started brightly at Molineux, but City weathered the storm and Youri Tielemans' thumping effort on eight minutes set the visitors on their way to a first away victory of the season.
Harvey Barnes, James Maddison and Jamie Vardy all found the net too, but it was Tielemans' opener that turned the tide in the West Midlands.
Who impressed – Captain Youri
Part of the commentary team at Molineux Stadium on Sunday, 2000 League Cup winner Matt Elliott told LCFC Radio: "I thought there were some good performances. Youri Tielemans was a bit more like himself and got the goal. Harvey Barnes, I’d give him Man of the Match in the first half, Wout Faes was strong and resolute. I’m going to go Youri Tielemans, I thought that was one of his stronger performances of late."
Where do we stand – 16th
City move up to 16th in the Premier League having collected 11 points from 12 matches in 2022/23.
Coming up – Man City (H)
Leicester's final fixture in October sees them tackle Pep Guardiola's Premier League champions, Manchester City, who visit King Power Stadium on Saturday for a 12:30pm BST kick-off.