Leicester Continue To Set The Pace With Sheff Weds Victory
Abdul Fatawu pounced onto a loose ball to prod home just four minutes in on Filbert Way, before Jamie Vardy capped off a lightning counter-attack on 36 minutes. Although the Owls pushed late on, the Foxes were largely in control to take their points tally to 78 from 32 games, also swelling their league-best goal difference to +44. With 12 points to second-placed Leeds United and 14 to Southampton in third, Enzo Maresca’s men continue to set a daunting pace at the second tier’s summit. With 14 games to go, Saturday's visit of Middlesbrough to the East Midlands is Leicester's next assignment.
Jannik Vestergaard returned to City’s XI after a short injury, while Stephy Mavididi and Vardy were also back in the side following Saturday’s 2-1 success at Watford. Wednesday, locked in the Championship’s bottom three despite good work by manager Danny Röhl, were architects of their own downfall early on. Still, a high press was needed to exploit them, and Maresca’s men were squeezing them in. Pressure from Dennis Praet forced a heavy touch from Will Vaulks, losing the ball to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the box. The Academy graduate quickly clipped the ball square across the area, originally aiming for Vardy, playing against his boyhood club. City’s No.9 let it roll through his legs, though, and Fatawu was loitering at the back post to apply a tidy finish, with Owls goalkeeper James Beadle scampering across his line. It had been a nightmare start for the visitors and it almost got worse when Mavididi curled a promising free-kick inches wide of the far post from the right flank.
Mavididi and Fatawu were licking their lips, delving into their bag of tricks down the flanks. Committed work from the former on the left allowed him to roll the ball over to Harry Winks, positioned on the edge of the 18-yard box. The former Tottenham man, though, sent his pacy curler over. Röhl’s men took 23 minutes to test Mads Hermansen, although Marvin Johnson’s half-volley was a simple enough challenge for the Dane. Leicester kept their foot down, though. Dewsbury-Hall weaved his way forwards on the left channel, dinking a cross onto Praet’s head. The Belgian didn’t get much on it, but that contact did divert the ball into his compatriot Wout Faes. The centre-back did everything to get a a touch on it, hurling his leg into the air, but his effort was well wide.
Leicester’s second of the night was another classic Vardy strike for the scrapbook. The Foxes have earned a reputation as a possession-based outfit who like to keep the ball on the floor. But, as they’ve shown repeatedly through the season, there’s no aversion to going direct where possible either. Faes’ diagonal punt forward was perfect, Dewsbury-Hall’s side-footed lay-off was even better. It was just right for Vardy to race onto it, converting past Beadle and into the bottom far corner. In the blink of an eye, Wednesday’s problems had doubled. Leicester were well on top, although the Owls did stray upfield in first half added time. Djeidi Gassama’s hit was well palmed by Hermansen before the whistle. Ahead but frustrated by refereeing decisions, the fire in the belly was still there after the break for Leicester. Dewsbury-Hall’s sighter was blocked after good work by Praet. Fatawu’s deflected curled effort needed to be stopped by Beadle in the visiting net as well. Vardy was so close to his second when Praet fizzed the ball across the goalmouth. He couldn’t get there, though.
Sheff Weds did have moments. Ian Poveda’s cross was nodded wide by Michael Smith. Anthony Musaba also raked a daisy-cutter just wide from range. There were nervy moments, but Leicester always had the answer. Pol Valentín belted a late half-volley wide of the post in the final minute of normal time too. There was simply too much to do for the Owls. Maresca's Leicester march on, not just maintaining, but widening the gap to the chasing pack. Boro next.