MADD-CAP SHOW
Foxes’ assist ace wins battle of England hopefuls
THE battle of the England contenders went the way of James Maddison as he helped edge Leicester away from danger.
The Foxes skipper claimed a superb second-half assist for Harvey Barnes’ equaliser, which lifted Brendan Rodgers’ strugglers a point clear of trouble.
Maddison’s rare moment of class was more than anything produced by fellow Three Lions hopeful Ivan Toney. The Brentford hotshot did zip to further his claim for a crack at holders Italy in England’s opening Euro qualifier on Thursday.
After four straight defeats this was a vital result for Rodgers, who praised Maddison’s determination.
He said: “James is competitive – that’s what you want. He’s always ready for that one moment and his pass for the goal was sublime.
“This breaks the cycle of results and it was thoroughly deserved.”
Bees boss Thomas Frank admitted it was a difficult day for Toney, saying: “He’s annoyed, like we all are.
“You’d like a goal before the internationals but he’s in the squad because of what he’s done throughout the season.”
If Frank is regularly linked with bigger jobs, such as Tottenham, the talk surrounding Rodgers right now is the axe.
Forgiven early in the campaign, following a summer of nonexistent incomings, it has not been the same after three decent acquisitions in January.
But he received a reasonable reception from the away fans at the end, despite one ‘Rodgers out’ banner.
He added: “People are entitled to their opinion.
“I’ll always show respect whatever the reaction.
“It’s okay but it’s been like that a lot of the season. My focus can only be on keeping this club in the Premier League.” With Leicester’s homegrown keeper Daniel Iversen handed a league debut, it would have made sense for Brentford to test his nerves at every chance. Yet they failed to do that for 32 minutes. When they did finally muster an effort on target, it made the breakthrough. Bryan Muembo’s ball into the area was cleared only as far as Mathias Jensen (left), whose fierce, deflected effort squeezed past Iversen’s legs at his near post. While not the easiest save – being kind, his view of the shot could have been partially obstructed – the rookie may feel a little disappointed. As for Toney and Maddison, there was little to get excited about before half-time.
Indeed, the biggest problem Maddison caused in the first half was for the referee, who booked the Foxes ace for dragging back Jensen.
But that situation all changed on 52 minutes, when Maddison came alive to devastating effect.
He collected possession and immediately slipped in Barnes with a deft beauty of a pass.
It was perfectly weighted and Barnes neatly converted his ninth league goal this season.
Frank immediately demanded more input from a subdued home support and shuffled the pack.
But it just was not Brentford’s day as was underlined by substitute Shannon Baptiste’s late red card for two bookings in three minutes.
BRENTFORD: Raya 6; Hickey 6, Pinnock 6, Mee 6, Henry 7; Damsgaard 6 (Dasilva (60) 6), Jensen 8 (Baptiste (73) 5), Norgaard 7, Mbuemo 7 (Jansson (90) 6); Toney 5, Wissa 6 (Shade (60) 6) LEICESTER: Iversen 5; Periera 7, Amartey 6, Souttar 7, Castagne 7; Ndidi 6 (Soumare (73) 6), Dewsburyhall 6; Tete 6 (Praet (65) 6), Maddison 8 (Iheanacho (89) 6), Barnes 7; Daka 7 (Vardy (65) 6) STAR MAN: James Maddison – from frustration to joy for the Leicester skipper with vital assist. REF: Darren Bond 7