Rodgers hails Foxes for passing big test
BRENDAN RODGERS praised his side’s ‘brilliant win’ as they strengthened their hold on second place with a 2-0 victory over Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Jamie Vardy bagged his 12th Premier League goal of the season – at the second attempt from the penalty spot – as the Foxes continued their fine start to the campaign.
The England forward also played a role in Ayoze Perez’s 64th-minute opener as the visitors secured their sixth successive victory in all competitions.
The game was not without its moments of VAR controversy, with referee Mike Dean awarding a Leicester penalty in the 80th minute, only for the spot-kick to be retaken.
Vardy’s initial effort was saved by Mat Ryan before James Maddison nodded in the rebound but Dean ordered a retake because of encroachment, which the 32year-old fired into the net.
‘Brilliant win,’ said Rodgers, whose side are a point clear of third-placed Manchester City and three ahead of Chelsea.
‘I knew before that this would be a real examination. They are very strong at home, and also have a really good football idea. I thought the performance was very, very good.’
Nuno Espirito Santo says Wolves must use their scintillating firsthalf display at Bournemouth as a blueprint for the rest of the season after making it eight Premier League games unbeaten.
Goals from Joao Moutinho and the in-form Raul Jimenez saw highflying Wolves take complete control at the Vitality Stadium en route to climbing to fifth in the table with a 2-1 win.
The visitors’ cause was aided by the deserved 37th-minute dismissal of Cherries captain Simon Francis for two yellow cards, before they faded after the restart and were left hanging on for victory after Steve Cook’s header halved the deficit for Eddie Howe’s hosts.
‘The first half we played really, really well. I think we achieved well the advantage and then with one man less, until the end of the first half we managed well,’ Wolves boss Nuno said.
Everton manager Marco Silva was not willing to discuss his future after a damaging 2-0 defeat to Norwich, but acknowledged the club must always come first.
Goals from Tom Cantwell and Dennis Srbeny secured the Canaries’ first away win of the season and first league victory since mid-September as they hauled themselves off the foot of the table.
‘I think it is not the main thing to talk about the situation. It is not the moment to talk about individual positions,’ Silva said.
It is believed that Everton’s major shareholder Farhad Moshiri will now meet with the other directors of the Goodison Park club to discuss Silva’s future.