Foxes Cruise To West Brom Triumph
Following last weekend’s 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth, Claude Puel made five changes to his side, as Danny Simpson, Ben Chilwell, Vicente Iborra, Demarai Gray and Shinji Okazaki all returned to the starting XI.
The Foxes were dealt an early blow as Salomon Rondon converted Oliver Burke’s cross to give the hosts a 1-0 lead after just eight minutes.
But Jamie Vardy made it four goals in his last four appearances at the Hawthorns shortly after. Riyad Mahrez sent a brilliant pass into the path of City’s No.9, who smashed a first-time volley past Ben Foster to equalise.
After the break, Leicester were ruthless and the introduction of Kelechi Iheanacho had a huge bearing on the result.
Replacing Okazaki on the hour mark, the Nigeria international’s first involvement was to scoop the ball into the path of Mahrez, who poked past Foster to put City 2-1 up.
West Brom stopper Foster made a fine save to deny Vardy from a one-on-one situation just moments later, but he could do nothing about Iheanacho’s header on 76 minutes.
Chilwell delivered from the left and the former Manchester City man was there to score his first Premier League goal for the Foxes.
After moving into a comfortable 3-1 lead with 14 minutes to play, Iborra added a fourth goal in injury time to round off a superb day for Puel’s men.
Major moment
After falling behind early on, the Foxes needed a swift reply and it was Jamie Vardy who was on hand to score his 14th Premier League goal of the season.
A lovely pass from Riyad Mahrez carved open West Brom’s back line and there was Vardy to slam home a beautiful volley to haul his side level.
Only an offside flag and a good save from Ben Foster prevented the No.9 from adding to his tally after the break.
Who impressed?
Kelechi Iheanacho thoroughly deserved his maiden Premier League strike in Leicester colours on Saturday.
Emerging from the bench with 60 minutes gone, the Nigerian frontman set up one and scored another within the space of just 14 minutes to help the Foxes to their first away victory in the Premier League in 2018.
Where do we stand?
Claude Puel’s outfit remain eighth in the Premier League table, three points behind Burnley, who beat West Ham United 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Coming up…
The Foxes will now prepare for their Emirates FA Cup Quarter-Final tie with Chelsea at King Power Stadium on Sunday 18 March (4:30pm kick-off).