A MEANS TO AN ENZ
Foxes halt slump as boss insists: I’ll never ditch passing game
ENZO MARESCA insists Leicester will not abandon their patient passing game in their bid for promotion despite frustrating their own supporters.
The Foxes had seen a 14-point mid-February advantage over third place evaporate with a dismal run that had seen just one victory in their previous six games.
And Leicester fans became disgruntled with their side for refusing to change their style and go more direct when they fell a goal behind to Norwich.
Maresca (above) said: “That will not happen while I’m still here.”
But Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Stephy Mavididi inspired this crucial comeback three points with a goal and an assist apiece before Jamie Vardy killed the game off in stoppage-time.
Maresca said: “The players are human and so am I. We have emotions and enjoyed the moment.
“I’m very happy in this moment. But I won’t have a beer tonight – just a still water!”
The hosts had showed all their recent nerves as Patson Daka rounded Angus Gunn but failed to score before
Harry Winks’ wayward shot.
But it was Norwich, who lost defender Jacob Sorensen inside the opening 10 minutes, who snatched the lead against the run of play on 20 minutes.
Marcelino Nunez’s low corner caught the Foxes off guard and Gabriel Sara netted from very close in. Maresca’s men kept their cool despite the frustrations of the crowd and were deservedly level on 34 minutes as DewsburyHall nodded in his 11th of the season after Mavididi had headed back Wilfred Ndidi’s cross.
The Foxes kept calm early in the second half and went ahead on 61 minutes as Mavididi beat Jack Stacey from Dewsbury-Hall’s composed pass and slotted home his 12th goal of the campaign.
Norwich fans thought they were level as Stacey shot into the side netting from a rare attack.
But there were to be no worries for Leicester and the joy was evident as Vardy (inset) scored three minutes into stoppage-time.
Winks’ deflected effort fell perfectly to the former England striker who could not miss as he scored his 16th goal of the season.
This ended a run of three straight wins for the Canaries, who face Ipswich on Saturday.
Their boss David Wagner said: “I’m sure Leicester will get automatic promotion. But we should have competed more in ball possession. We will quickly put this to bed.
“Saturday is huge – it’s up to me to ensure everyone has the fire in their belly for that.”
LEICESTER: Hermansen 6, Pereira 6 (Choudhury 85), Faes 7, Vestergaard 6, Doyle 7, Ndidi 7 (Praet 85), Winks 7, Dewsbury-Hall 8, Fatawu 7 (Justin 88), Daka 5 (Vardy 77), Mivididi 8 (Akgun 89) NORWICH: Gunn 6, Stacey 5, Sorensen 5 (Duffy 10, 6), Gibson 6, McCallum 5, Nunez 7 (Gibbs 66, 5), McLean 7, Sara 7, Barnes 5 (Fassnacht 66, 5), Sainz 6, Sargent 6 MOTM KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL (LEICESTER)