SHINJI’S BIG IN JAPAN
GAME, EVERY KICK, EVERY GOAL But now Okazaki feels right at home
SHINJI OKAZAKI has been driving his fans wild.
The striker was hardly able to leave his house in the summer after returning home to Japan a hero following Leicester’s title win last season.
“Things were a little crazy when I first went back,” said the 30-year-old. “I couldn’t go out for a month.
“I have to stay home because I get mobbed. It is okay. It is not quite like being a pop star but Leicester are a big team in Japan, and I am proud of that.”
Okazaki celebrated his return to the team with the second goal which helped the Foxes extend their unbeaten home record in the league to 20 matches.
His delight was plain for all to see, especially after fluffing a golden chance after just 90 seconds.
He was gifted an opportunity when Steve Mandanda kicked the ball straight to him.
It wasn’t the only time the hapless goalkeeper got himself in bother clearing his lines and if he’s expecting a call from sweeper keeper fan Pep Guardiola, he should forget it.
How can anyone who spends so much time on a training ground still look like a nine-year-old when he’s got to clear the ball a bit sharpish?
Luckily for him, Okazaki’s shot missed the target. But his second effort hit the mark and added to goals from Ahmed Musa and a stunner from Christian Fuchs it was more than enough to see Leicester home.
But it wasn’t as comfortable as the scoreline might suggest and Palace had their chances.
Yohan Cabaye got their consolation with five minutes to go but Kasper Schmeichel was forced to make three really good stops and was beaten by a Christian Benteke header which crashed against the bar.
But Leicester, with Jamie Vardy dropped to the bench, looked a bit more like their old selves and right at the centre of it all was Danny Drinkwater who caught the eye of Palace boss Alan Pardew.
Pardew said: “I think Drinkwater is one of the best players here and, for me, one of the best midfield players in the country.
“I think he was a little bit unlucky not to travel with England in the summer, I really do after the season he had.
“In the games we’ve watched and against us, he has been their best player this year.” 8; LEICESTER (4-4-2): Schmeichel 8; King 7 Simpson 7, Morgan 7, Huth 7, Fuchs Musa 7 (Gray 81), (Amartey 87), DRINKWATER 9, (Vardy 75). Mahrez 7; Okazaki 8, Slimani 7 Ulloa. Subs: Zieler, Albrighton, Schlupp, League, UP NEXT: Tottenham (a), Premier Saturday. Mandanda 5; CRYSTAL PALACE (4-4-2): 6, Kelly 6 (Fryers 77), Delaney 6, Tomkins 7, McArthur 7, Ward 6; Ledley 7 (Lee 72), Cabaye 8, Benteke 8. Townsend 6 (Campbell 72); ZAHA Sako. Subs: Hennessey, Flamini, Wickham, League, UP NEXT: Liverpool (h), Premier Saturday. Referee: Michael Oliver 9. man to have YOUR TURN: Who is the last managed Leicester and Palace? DANNY DRINKWATER Tireless driving force STEVE MANDANDA Jittery in goal