Leicester Open Six-Point Lead With Routine Rotherham Win
After a frustrating first half, with the Millers sitting deep throughout, City were in complete control after the interval. A Patson Daka brace – one coming from the penalty spot – and Cesare Casadei’s header now extends their advantage over second-placed Ipswich Town at the table’s summit. With the 2023/24 campaign at its half-way point, Enzo Maresca’s men have won 19 of their 23 league matches – maintaining a 13-point hold over the second tier’s automatic places. It’s been an astonishing season so far for the Foxes, who are working towards an instant Premier League return.
For the first time this term, City’s XI was unchanged from Monday’s 3-2 win at Birmingham City. The in-form hosts were stifled early on at King Power Stadium, though. Their pressure was probing and considered, striving to plot a path past a five-man Rotherham backline, supported by another two defensive midfielders parked in front of them. Visiting goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, who used to be on the books at Leicester, put Jannik Vestergaard’s header behind for an early corner. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also curled over after skipping into the area on the left channel. Johansson then raced off his line to prevent Dewsbury-Hall – a former Development Squad team-mate – from chipping him at the near post. A brave header from Sebastian Revan later stopped Daka from nodding in at the far side. The hosts were on top but not breaking through.
It was proving tricky for City. Leam Richardson’s south Yorkshire outfit – bottom of the Championship – had a clear game plan. Wilfred Ndidi’s long-range drive was next up midway through the first half, straight at Johansson. After two penalty appeals, it was becoming irksome – but the players stuck to the task at hand. Another last-ditch challenge, from Hakeem Odoffin, denied Ricardo Pereira the chance to shoot from six yards. Stephy Mavididi’s brilliance with the ball at his feet was on display shortly afterwards, although the winger’s effort at goal at the end of the move looped high and wide. Lembikisa then got in the way of Mavididi’s header, an opportunity carved out by good work from Abdul Fatawu on the opposite flank.
This is not new territory for Leicester this term. Their relentless passing often presents openings as the game progresses – and this outing was no different for the division’s leaders. The Foxes were pushing up at the start of the second half, hoping to force the initiative. It so nearly paid off instantly as Fatawu snatched the ball from Revan inside the box. Johansson was out of position, too, but Sean Morrison had the foresight to get back on the line, stopping Daka’s effort. Leicester were camped on the edge of the area, having to thread passes through tight spaces to test Johansson. That’s exactly what Dewsbury-Hall did on 55 minutes to locate Ricardo. The Portuguese’s shot had plenty of power on it, but it was too close to the Millers ‘keeper.
On the hour, City finally led. Ricardo skidded the ball into Wout Faes’ feet. The Belgian, in the box, saw his shot parried by Johansson. It bobbled up in the middle for Ndidi, who swung a boot at it. The contact wasn’t what the Nigerian planned, but it turned into a perfect assist for Daka, who was in the right place at the right time to bundle it into the net. In a heartbeat, it was 2-0. Daka was felled by Johansson on the edge of the box – possibly outside it on the replays – but referee Darren Bond pointed to the spot regardlessly. The Rotherham stopper was booked for his challenge, which stopped the Zambian from scoring what was surely a certain goal. There was confusion and anger in the stands, some unsure what had been given, others outraged at the leniency of Johansson’s punishment. In any case, Daka stepped up to smash it into the corner.
Casadei was next on the scoresheet, heading home his second goal for the Club straight after joining the action from the bench. It was textbook Leicester City under Maresca, ending with Ricardo’s dinked cross being nodded in by their Italian No.7, on loan from Chelsea. A game which had potential to turn into one defined by frustration had become another enjoyable one for the Foxes faithful. There was also the opportunity for the Manager to rotate in the latter moments, offering precious rest to several key players ahead of Boxing Day’s top-of-the-table clash with Ipswich at Portman Road. Hamza Choudhury, one of those introduced late on, almost got in on the goalscoring act, half-volleying a low hit wide. A routine final few moments caused no issues for the Foxes. The Blue Army can savour the festive season with their team top of the tree this Christmas.