Managing 31 wins over the course of a 46-game season is no mean feat. Here’s 10 of those Sky Bet Championship matches that were crucial to an instant return to the Premier League as champions.
The Opening Day Victory
Leicester City 2 Coventry City 1
King Power Stadium
Sunday 6 August
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 77', 87' / Kyle McFadzean 47'
Way back in August, Leicester’s rejuvenated, new-look squad stepped back out onto the hallowed turf aiming to wipe away any signs of a relegation hangover which so often encompasses clubs who exit through the top-flight trap door.
Standing in their way was a Coventry City side hell bent on recovering from their own heartache of losing the play-off final on penalties and getting one over on an old rival who they hadn’t beaten since 2008.
Played out in front of a cacophony of noise from both sets of fans, it was all going to plan for the visiting Sky Blues when Kyle MacFadzean headed home in front of the travelling contingent of Coventry supporters who had made their way down the M69.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who would become a vital cog in Leicester’s system and was later nominated for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season, had other ideas. A sensational double from the Academy graduate meant the points would remain in Leicestershire.
Although so much more football would be played between then and May, it set the tone for the run to follow, ensured bragging rights for the Foxes faithful and gave hope to a season of promise.
The manner of the victory, too, coming from behind in the second half, was a nod to the steely determination which Enzo Maresca’s side appeared to possess, alongside their free-flowing football ideology. It was already a far cry from the side who had succumbed to relegation from the Premier League just a few months earlier.
Seeing Off The Saints In Style
Southampton 1 Leicester City 4
St. Mary’s Stadium
Friday 15 September
Vardy 1’, McAteer 18’, Ndidi 45+3’, Mavididi 67’ / Edozie 25’
Facing a fellow-relegated side for the first time was seen by many as a real marker of where Leicester City were at. Southampton, after all, also held the distinct aim of returning to the Premier League at the first attempt and were playing a similar style of football under Russell Martin to that implemented by Maresca.
It was, however, a night to remember for the Foxes. After losing for the first time to Hull City last time out, a goal inside 60 seconds at St. Mary’s set the tone, arriving from mercurial No.9 Jamie Vardy, banishing any fears of a repeat performance.
And Leicester were well on their way to a resounding success by half-time – Academy starlet Kasey McAteer and Wilfred Ndidi the other goalscorers in a scintillating display of attacking prowess.
Stephy Mavididi capped off a 4-1 scoreline later on in the piece, sending the Blue Army on the long journey back up from the South Coast with smiles on their faces and optimistic about what was to come next.
Top of the table, it was the start of a record-equalling nine-game winning streak which matched that set by the Foxes in their Championship title campaign of 2013/14.
Finding A Way To Win
Queens Park Rangers 1 Leicester City 2
MATRADE Loftus Road
Saturday 28 October
Mavididi 30’, Winks 80’ / Dozzell 40’
Few predicted anything other than a comfortable Leicester victory when the Foxes arrived in south west London in late October to face relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers.
Deep in the mire, even at this early stage of the season, the Hoops were against the odds to take anything from the game, especially given the fact that City had triumphed in all of their previous eight league matches.
And although that proved to be the case in the end, it was anything but straightforward for Maresca’s men that Saturday afternoon. Such is the unpredictability of the Championship, even after Mavididi opened the scoring, QPR were right in the game.
Andre Dozzell levelled but he would also contribute to the hosts’ downfall, receiving a yellow card which handed Leicester a man advantage. Still, a resolute defensive performance shut the Foxes out heading into the final 10.
It was going to take something special to break through again and England international Harry Winks, a man for the big occasion, provided it. His Goal of the Season contender, a superb strike from outside of the 18-yard box, rifled into the top corner and sent City on their way to a priceless victory. Cue pandemonium in the away end.
The significance of such a result was not lost at full-time, either. Opening up a 14-point gap to third-placed Leeds United, players and staff came together to celebrate in front of the travelling support, with a mixture of relief, passion and raw emotion etched upon their faces.
Winks Does It Again
West Bromwich Albion 1 Leicester City 2
The Hawthorns
Saturday 2 December
Dewsbury-Hall 72’, Winks 90+4’ / Maja 89’
A rocky November paved the way for seeds of doubt to be planted around the strength of Leicester’s promotion charge. Irresistible in the opening three months of the season, some were questioning if the wheels were about to come off after losing back-to-back games to Leeds United and then Middlesbrough.
Success over Watford ended up as the only win of the month before a stoppage-time equaliser from lowly Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough only added to the frustration. Heading to the Hawthorns, a side in the play-off mix, dropping more points was not an option at this stage.
Dewsbury-Hall’s header had Maresca’s outfit ahead, but when Josh Maja levelled in the final minute of normal time, the psychological damage of conceding another late goal felt almost too much to take.
Then, with the Baggies pushing for a winner of their own, it left the counter-attack on and Dewsbury-Hall took full advantage, racing from his own half into the penalty area before unselfishly squaring the ball for Winks to slide in and, after everyone momentarily held their breath, find the back of the net.
Sparking jubilant scenes from the Blue Army behind that goal, Maresca was also up out of his seat in the dugout and on the pitch, soon mobbed by his coaching staff and players, all caught up in the euphoria of a late win.
Another Run Of Form Gathers Momentum
Birmingham City 2 Leicester City 3
St. Andrew’s Stadium
Monday 18 December
Mavididi 10’, 50’, Dewsbury-Hall 21’ / James 14’, 74’
Some victories just feel big, especially in the context of a promotion race. And following success over Albion, the Foxes embarked on a run of five straight wins, part of a 10-game unbeaten streak which lasted well into the New Year.
In the midst of that was a trip to St. Andrew’s just before Christmas and a meeting with Birmingham City. Under the stewardship of Wayne Rooney things had not exactly gone to plan for Blues, but a Monday night game under the lights, live on Sky, provided the perfect context to upset the odds against the league leaders.
A full-throttle encounter ensued, Mavididi striking the first blow early on, inciting the home fans who were less than impressed with his celebration, perching on the advertisement boards behind the goal. It came just seconds after James Justin had struck the ball against his own crossbar. Moments like that can change games, seasons even.
An almost instant response from Jordan James was followed by Dewsbury-Hall’s neat finish. Mavididi’s second looked to have put the game beyond doubt but James’ brace had Leicester worried. A resolute defensive performance was needed to see out victory. It was the second successive 3-2 success for the Foxes after seeing off Millwall, showing grit and fight alongside the evident quality within City’s ranks.
Sensational At Stoke
Stoke City 0 Leicester City 5
bet365 Stadium
Saturday 3 February
Daka 26’, 66’, McAteer 30’, Vardy 73’, 90+8’
The biggest away victory of the season was reserved for the trip to bet365 Stadium in early February. Patson Daka, and his replacement Vardy, both hit braces, with a penalty apiece setting Leicester on their way in the Potteries. McAteer also added his name to the scoresheet as the visitors blew Steven Schumacher’s side away. Confidence was flowing again.
“For the performance of the players, I think the first half an hour was unbelievable,” Maresca commented post-match. “We played very well, creating many chances and controlling the game. In the second half, we started again in the same way and it was a good day with a clean sheet so I’m very happy.”
Leaving It Late
Leicester City 2 Birmingham City 1
King Power Stadium
Saturday 6 April
Dewsbury-Hall 28’, Mavididi 87’ / Stansfield 45’
The reverse fixture against the Blues also threw up a tense finale which would ultimately swing the momentum back in Leicester’s favour, seeing the Foxes return to the Championship’s summit.
A recent loss to Bristol City over the Easter Weekend, coupled with a draw at Hull City, had piled the pressure on Maresca’s men. Although Norwich City had been dispatched earlier in the week, nothing less than another three points on home soil would suffice.
A first-half Dewsbury-Hall goal, his 12th of the season alongside 14 assists, calmed the nerves, but when a defensive mishap saw Jay Stansfield equalise, the Foxes had 45 minutes to find another breakthrough.
With hope fading, substitute Yunus Akgün, a player whose opportunities have been limited due to injury and the form of others in the midfield, delivered the cross which was expertly finished by Mavididi – the winger conjuring up another moment of magic when it mattered most.
King Power Stadium was rocking and after more wild celebrations, Leicester’s grip on promotion had tightened, just when it was looking like they could be knocked off course at the business end of the season. Another game ticked off.
Standing Up To The Challenge
Leicester City 2 West Bromwich Albion 1
King Power Stadium
Saturday 20 April
Ndidi 22’, Vardy 65’ / Wallace 76’
Another bump in the road was to come. Successive away defeats in the space of three days to relegation-threatened sides Millwall and Plymouth Argyle did much to damp the mood around Filbert Way. Nevertheless, with promotion rivals also inexplicably dropping points at a critical juncture in the season, there was still time to put things right.
No margin for error remained when West Bromwich Albion made the short journey to the East Midlands. The Baggies, all-but secure in the play-offs, made a lightning start. Able to withstand the pressure, mainly thanks to some heroic defending from Hamza Choudhury, it left the door ajar for Leicester to take advantage.
Ndidi the unlikely first goalscorer, smashing home from close-range. Vardy followed up by netting the second, atoning for an earlier penalty miss. At the time, it seemed to be enough. But Jed Wallace had other ideas, halving the deficit to create a nervy finish.
Through sheer will and backed by the raucous Blue Army crowd, who were in full voice, Leicester got over the line and moved back on top. Hero of the day Choudhury outlined his emotions after full-time: "It’s an amazing day for all the lads in there. They deserve it.
“Honestly, the last couple of months have been tough. It’s been a different kind of challenge for us and we’ve had to dig deep. Sometimes we’ve got to show our heart – and I think the lads showed that. I can’t tell you how much it means to all the lads in there. We showed how much we care and how much we want to make everyone proud.”
Almost There
Leicester City 5 Southampton 0
King Power Stadium
Tuesday 23 April
Fatawu 25’, 75’, 81’, Ndidi 62’, Vardy 79’
The scene was set for another decisive evening in the promotion race when Southampton, who were in last-chance saloon territory as far as their automatic hopes were concerned after defeat to Cardiff City, entered King Power Stadium.
It was must-win for the Saints, who had moved back into the promotion picture, and must not lose for the Foxes. What followed was a scintillating display of attacking quality; fans' favourite Abdul Fatawu kicking things off to open up a slender half-time lead.
Ndidi made his presence felt with a bullet header second, before the stunning third from Fatawu, a curling effort which all-but sealed victory. Leicester were far from done there though and another two goals in the next five minutes, one from Vardy and then Fatawu’s hat-trick, capped off a glorious night.
Promotion was in touching distance and the fans were ready to celebrate as the squad paraded across the pitch at full-time. A rendition of ABBA’s Voulez-Vous was most vocal, repurposed for Fatawu following his first career hat-trick.
Speaking after doubling his league goals tally for the season in one night, the Ghanaian winger expressed his feelings of joy: “It’s so amazing and I feel so happy for this day. This is what we’re here to do and we are just going where we want to.
"I’m so happy. Today was a big day. Everyone, including the bench and the whole team, was supporting. We ended up getting the three points, so it was a good day. We have come a long way to lose what was in our hands."
The Foxes did not lose it. Promotion was confirmed following Leeds United’s defeat at QPR on Friday 26 April. The aim of an immediate return to the Premier League has been realised, but they had one last job to do.
Champions Again
Preston North End 0 Leicester City 3
Deepdale
Monday 29 April
Vardy 36’, 52’, McAteer 67’
Having already guaranteed their stay in the second tier would be no longer than the one year, Leicester were crowned as champions in style. Pitching up at Preston, a party atmosphere greeted the players as they emerged from the tunnel and onto the pitch.
Over 5,000 of the Blue Army packed out the away end behind the goal, complete with inflatables, balloons and fancy dress. They were determined to enjoy the night – and so were Maresca’s side. Vardy got things started, turning home Fatawu’s cross, and from there on it was plain sailing for the champions elect.
Wout Faes’ mazy run towards the box deserved a goal but once the post denied him, Vardy was there again to smash home from close range – this time in front of the travelling supporters. Fatawu then grabbed his second assist of the night, setting up McAteer to head in a third and cap off the evening.
The fans had been singing all night and were not about to stop once the full-time whistle went, which signalled the start of a host of celebrations on the pitch. Playing squad and staff alike, as well as Khun Top, joined together in front of the supporters for a truly special end to the evening.
They would have to wait five days to get their hands on the trophy, lifting the prize aloft following the final game of the season at home to Blackburn Rovers, but by then the mission had already been accomplished. Straight back up, Leicester City.