September: First League Defeat Doesn't Rattle Leicester
In the second instalment of our detailed, month-by-month look into the 2023/24 campaign, we analyse September which started on bad terms, with a first loss of the season, before the Foxes rallied to three consecutive wins in the Sky Bet Championship...
Monthly Recap - September
Championship position: 2nd
Championship points: 21
EFL Cup progress: Eliminated in Third Round
FA Cup progress: N/A
Form: LWWWL
Everything was running smoothly for Leicester, who had a 100 per cent record in August and sat top of the league with a maximum 12 points. However, things weren't going to be that easy in the Championship and the month began with a first loss of the season to Hull City; Liam Delap scoring an early goal at King Power Stadium.
Fortunately, the Foxes weren't fazed as they returned to winning ways two weeks later on the South Coast against a Southampton side, who were experiencing teething problems under the new play style of Russell Martin. Catching the Saints off guard, Jamie Vardy netted within the first 60 seconds, before Kasey McAteer doubled the visitors' advantage.
Sam Edozie did pull one back for the southerners, but Wilfred Ndidi restored City's two-goal advantage before half-time at St. Mary's Stadium. Stephy Mavididi then put the game out of sight when the winger burst through on goal, and finished calmly past Gavin Bazunu.
The away winning streak continued five days later in Norfolk when Leicester dispatched Norwich City 2-0 at Carrow Road. Kelechi Iheanacho scoring a penalty on the brink of half-time before the in-form McAteer was rewarding his selection in the team, confirming the win three minutes from time.
City's third win of the month saw them beat Bristol City with a dominant display on Filbert Way. Limiting the Robins to 31 per cent possession, the deadlock was broken just past the hour mark from Vardy, who was clinical from 12 yards out - the scoreline remained unaffected for the rest of the game.
While City had resurged in the league, making it seven wins from the first eight, they ended the month in similar fashion to how it started. Beaten 3-1 by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Third Round, it brought an abrupt end to their inclusion in the competition. McAteer opened the scoring before second half goals from Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota sent the Reds through at Anfield.