Barnes sends message to Southgate
Jamie Vardy aggressively pulling out his ears with an intense stare on his face, after scoring for Leicester, sent out a message to those who booed him.
But he was not the only Leicester attacker who made a powerful statement during this win, with substitute Harvey Barnes – the match-winner – and James Maddison also making impressive contributions.
With England manager Gareth Southgate watching, it was an encouraging sight for those who enjoy seeing home-grown talents flourishing.
Vardy, of course, had more reason than anybody to be highly motivated, as a boyhood Sheffield Wednesday fan.
Returning to the area where he grew up, Vardy was given the expected hostile welcome by United fans but he quietened them.
And Barnes caught the attentions of fans, with one regrettably even invading the pitch, after he had struck a fierce and stunning winner.
Barnes, who has been in the England Under-21 side, gave another reminder of his potential with the way he confidently dispatched a powerful finish from the edge of the penalty area.
It is early days but Leicester should enjoy being up in third after a positive start to the season.
United lacked drive in the first half and Leicester took the game to them, going into the interval with a deserved 1-0 lead.
After the break, the Yorkshire club showed more purpose, having introduced fans’ favourite Billy Sharp and record signing Oli McBurnie off the bench, and levelled at 1-1.
though, had the brilliance of Barnes to turn to. And there was impressive tactical flexibility as their switch to a 3-5-2 helped combat the threats posed by the home side.
Despite the sale of Harry Maguire, Leicester continued to show they are moving on, withstanding the barrage.
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers said: “Over the years, Sheffield United have had momentum here. It was a performance from us with resilience and quality – and you have got to show your mentality here.
“There are not too many players who can play the pass James Maddison played for the first goal. His through ball was sensational. He is at a really high level at this stage of the season. I’m sure Gareth will be having a good look at him.
“I haven’t really seen Jamie’s celebration. I’m sure as a Sheffield Wednesday supporter he took great joy from it.
“Harvey’s strike was brilliant. He’s a big talent who is going to be an important player for us. It was really nice as a Leicester boy who has come through the system to score a goal in front of his supporters.”
Rodgers had shuffled his midfield, with Maddison starting wide left.
Vardy and Maddison were involved in their bright start with both heading chances wide.
It was unsurprising that they were the ones who combined for their first goal, with a deft though ball from the former being pounced on by the latter to net an angled, first-time strike.
Ayoze Perez also deserved credit for his role in the build-up, as he crucially dispossessed Chris Basham.
Jack O’Connell headed over the bar for the Blades just before the break, but the home side had offered a lot less than their opponents in terms of possession and shots at goal. Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder tried to invigorate his side’s attacking early in the second half with his changes – and it worked. McBurnie made a rapid impact, heading in the 62nd-minute equaliser from eight yards from George Baldock’s swirling cross.
Rodgers then unleashed Barnes in the 64th minute for the ineffective Dennis Praet – and the substitute rifled the ball into the net after the home side had failed to clear a cross from Christian Fuchs.
John Lundstram then wasted an opportunity for the home side, just outside the six-yard box, when he shot at Kasper Schmeichel, who managed to palm the ball away.
Ravel Morrison was sent into the fray by United as they attempted to strike back again.
Despite pressure in the closing stages, Leicester held firm with the likes of Hamza Choudhury and Caglar Soyuncu being influential presences.
Wilder rarely pulls punches and he was typically forthright in his assessment of his men.
Despite the effort – and signs that they can handle the intensity of this level of football – he demanded more from them in the games ahead.
Wilder said of his side’s first defeat since winning promotion back to the top flight: “I didn’t think we deserved anything from the game. But we have been undone by two really good goals, especially the second one.
“The first half was poor by our standards. I’ve never known us give the ball away so cheaply. Out of possession, we weren’t brave enough. The second half was better. When it went 1-1, we should have gone for the jugular.”
Going for the jugular, in a football sense, often requires a touch of class, though. With the likes of Vardy, Maddison and Barnes on the pitch, Leicester were the ones who had that.
Sheffield United (3-5-2) Henderson 6; Basham 5 (Morrison 78), Egan 7, O’Connell 6; Baldock 7, Lundstram 5, Norwood 6, Freeman 7, Stevens 6; McGoldrick 6 (McBurnie 54), Robinson 6 (Sharp 54). Subs Moore (g), Jagielka, Osborn, Besic. Booked Lundstram. Leicester City (4-1-4-1) Schmeichel 7; Pereira 6, Evans 6, Soyuncu 7, Fuchs 7; Choudhury 7; Perez 7 (Morgan 77), Tielemans 6 (Mendy 89), Praet 5 (Barnes 64), Maddison 7; Vardy 7. Subs Ward (g), Justin, Gray, Albrighton. Referee Andy Madley (West Yorkshire).