Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka scored late goals in dramatic fashion as Leicester City downed Manchester United 4-2 in a Premier League thriller.This game was billed as United’s easier fixture in what is set to be a gruelling set of matches over the coming weeks, but Leicester clearly didn’t get the memo. Early on they set about pressing the visitors with energy, unsettling them into a series of errors and could well have been ahead if they were more clinical in the final third.
But it was United that broke the deadlock through Mason Greenwood, who seemed to come out of nowhere to create a yard of space on the right flank, before opening up his body to send a rocket of a left-footed shot into the back of the net.The hosts did well to respond quickly and persevered with the neat passing football, which produced an equaliser in spectacular fashion. United attempted to play out from the back and it was Harry Maguire who got caught in possession by Kelechi Iheanacho. He then found Youri Tielemans just inside the box and the Belgian produced a fantastic clipped effort that floated over De Gea.
The second half saw Leicester start quickly and they continued to dominate possession and looked the most likely to score, but United rode their luck to stay level.But in the space of five minutes there were three goals. First Leicester went ahead as Caglar Soyuncu was in the right place at the right time to tuck the ball into the back of the net from a corner.Then substitute Marcus Rashford bent his run to perfection to get one on one with Kasper Schmeichel to make it two a piece. But United couldn’t hold on as 54 seconds later, Vardy produced a composed half volley from inside the box to send the home fans into frantic celebrations.And finally, Daka’s gamble paid off as he made it 4-2 in the closing stages of the game.Next up for the Foxes are back to back away fixtures with Spartak Moscow in Europe, followed by a trip to London to take on Brentford. Meanwhile, United host Atalanta in the Champions League and then take on Liverpool at Old Trafford.
TALKING POINT – UNITED ON THE ROPES
There is no denying the size of the challenge in front of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, not just in terms of the run of fixtures he has to contend with, but the manner in which his team performs. The fact of the matter is, this United squad has been assembled to challenge for titles. At the moment there are glimpses of potential, but overall they are simply not playing football as a team and that, more than the results, will be frustrating the Old Trafford faithful.
MAN OF THE MATCH – JAMIE VARDY – (LEICESTER CITY)
He is the man for the big occasions an,d when The Foxes need him most, he seldom lets them down. His goal was simply perfect: right place, right time and composure to ensure the ball hit the back of the net. But it’s not just the goal, it’s his overall game that impresses. He’s dogged, hardworking and doesn’t seem to be slowing down at 34 years old.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Leicester City: Schmeichel 6, Amartey 6, Evans 6, Söyüncü 7, Ricardo Pereira 6, Tielemans 8, Soumaré 6, Castagne 6, Maddison 8, Iheanacho 8, Vardy 9Manchester United: De Gea 8, Wan-Bissaka 5, Lindelöf 4, Maguire 4, Shaw 5, Pogba 5, Matic 5, Greenwood 7, Bruno Fernandes 5, Sancho 5, Cristiano Ronaldo 5
