Justin Highlights Tactical Shift In Brighton Triumph

First Team
14 Dec 2020
2 Minutes
James Justin believes an early tactical tweak to counteract Brighton & Hove Albion's game plan enabled Leicester City to run out as comfortable victors at King Power Stadium on Sunday.

- Leicester City secured a 3-0 success over Brighton & Hove Albion at King Power Stadium on Sunday
- Full-back James Justin highlighted an inventive tactical tweak which City deployed early on
- James Maddison notched a brace for the Foxes, while Jamie Vardy also found the net
- Justin pointed to Leicester's third-placed standing in the Premier League as a marker of their progress

The Foxes switched to 4-2-3-1 and then to a 4-3-3 system on Filbert Way with a sublime James Maddison brace and Jamie Vardy's 12th goal of 2020/21 sealing win no.8 from City's opening 12 outings.

Justin, too, rotated with Marc Albrighton on the flanks throughout the encounter with Graham Potter's Seagulls as City rose to third in the Premier League table, one point adrift of the summit. 

"It was obviously a really good first half performance from us," the England Under-21s international told LCFC TV at full-time following their third victory in a row in all competitions.

"We rode our luck when we needed to and that's why we've got a great goalkeeper in Kasper [Schmeichel] and he made a great save in the first half.

"We switched our shape a little bit after words from the gaffer and we adapted well, found a bit of joy in that and scored a few excellent goals, which is what we can do. I'm glad to get a clean sheet as well.

"It's something we work on in training, adapting shapes. [Albrighton] and I swapped over and it worked a treat in the first half.

"We found a lot of joy down both sides and credit to the gaffer and the coaching staff. I just like being in the team where I am, to be honest. Wherever I can find joy is where I like to play."

While City were unable to add more goals after the interval at King Power Stadium, Justin believes they were in control of the game and pointed to City's lofty position in the table after 12 matches.

"We knew that they were going to come out all guns blazing and we were just trying to keep it solid at the back and try and preserve our lead," he added.

"We've had to use our squad this season, definitely, in terms of the injuries that we've had. Everyone's performed really well and you can see that by looking at the table.

"We finished top of our Europa League group and we've just got to keep on rattling out the games and recovering in between and hopefully we can show a good performance on Wednesday night (vs. Everton)."

The former Luton Town full-back also heaped praise on Maddison after Leicester's No.10 scored two goals of the highest quality, in particular his second, a stylishly curled effort from outside the area.

"It's something he shows in training every week," Justin continued. "I'm delighted for him to get two on the scoresheet tonight. It's what he deserves.

"Obviously, he's had a couple of injuries this season and it's good to see him back at his best."