Leonardo Ulloa: Five Key Goals
The former Brighton and Hove Albion man has an uncanny knack of scoring important goals and has played his role in some of the most important moments in Leicester City’s recent history.
The 32-year-old joined in the summer of 2014 and immediately endeared himself to the Blue Army with his work-rate, his outstanding qualities in the air and his remarkable calmness under pressure.
With that in mind, we’ve picked out five key Ulloa goals from the past four seasons that underline just how important the striker’s contribution has been for his team.
5. The One With 10 Men
When Jamie Vardy was sent off in the 28th minute and Stoke City took a 2-0 lead at the Britannia Stadium, things looked bleak for the Foxes back in December 2016. Indeed six Foxes players had been booked in addition to the red card by the time Ulloa was introduced for Islam Slimani in the 72nd minute as City looked for inspiration. It took the Argentine just two minutes to make an impact though as he powered home a Demarai Gray cross to make it 2-1 before Daniel Amartey drew the Foxes level at the death – a hugely significant point for the team.
4. The Debut Goal
Hopes were high for Leicester City at the start of their return to the Premier League in 2014/15 after a decade long absence. Everton were the opponents at King Power Stadium with new boy Ulloa joining David Nugent in attack. It didn’t quite go to plan for City as Aiden McGeady gave the Toffees an early lead, but Ulloa was on hand to poke home from close range two minutes later. Everton again retook the lead before a late Chris Wood equaliser, but Ulloa’s debut strike and City’s first Premier League goal for a decade was of huge importance.
3. The Famous Win
Already on the scoresheet to pull one back in the first half, it was perhaps Leo’s second goal – a penalty to round off the scoring – that proved to be most important during the historic 5-3 victory over Manchester United in September 2014. Back in the Premier League after a decade, what better way to mark a clash against the Red Devils than by recovering from two goals down to beat the most successful team in English football. It is the first time Man Utd have ever surrendered a two-goal lead in the Premier League. That thrilling game will be forever remembered by the Blue Army and the Argentine’s double was pivotal in it.
2. The Pressure Penalty
City’s 2-2 draw with West Ham at King Power Stadium in April 2016 was an altogether bad tempered affair. The Foxes were battling for the league title with Tottenham Hotspur hot on their heels while West Ham were keen to avenge an early season loss and cement European football. City looked comfortable when Vardy had given them the lead, but his 56th minute red card opened the door. They held out until two goals in two minutes from Andy Carroll and Aaron Cresswell put West Ham ahead. Then deep into stoppage time Jeffrey Schlupp won City a penalty. For many it felt like City’s title hopes rested on this moment, but Ulloa kept his composure beautifully to rattle the ball home and give City a point that felt just like three.
1. The Earthquake Goal
Teams around the league were beginning to approach the Foxes differently as they refused to budge at the top of the table. Gone were the days of sides leaving space in behind for the likes of Vardy to charge into – Claudio Ranieri’s men had to find different ways to win. When relegation-threatened Norwich came to King Power Stadium in February 2016, they frustrated the Foxes. It looked like being one of those afternoons, but with just one minute to play, Marc Albrighton sent the ball to the far post where Ulloa was on hand to bundle it home – sparking a celebration that saw the entire stadium tremble. So much so that the University of Leicester registered it as an earthquake measuring 0.3 on the Richter scale. A goal not to be forgotten and yet another key moment in Leicester City history written by Leonardo Ulloa.