KELECHI KEEPS UP EURO CHARGE
Iheanacho’s late winner gives Foxes top-four cushion
IN this strangest of seasons, it feels entirely appropriate that Leicester City are charging towards the Champions League thanks to the goals of a forward whose name is not Jamie Vardy.
Kelechi iheanacho has been one of the best players in the country in the second half of the campaign, and he delivered again here as Leicester fought back from behind against Crystal Palace to move seven points clear of fifth-placed West ham.
Wilfried Zaha’s 12th- minute opener gave Palace a half-time lead and, after timothy Castagne had levelled, Jonny Evans made a superb goal- saving challenge to prevent Christian Benteke restoring the visitors’ advantage.
As Leicester continued to miss chances, it seemed they may have to settle for a point — until iheanacho, whose goal earlier this month took Leicester to the FA Cup final, produced another special strike, his 14th in as many games.
At full-time, iheanacho sank to his knees and pointed to the sky. Kasper schmeichel let out a roar of defiance and manager Brendan Rodgers embraced every one of his players. they all knew how important this was.
‘it’s so, so massive,’ said iheanacho. ‘We really needed it.
‘i was in the box and it was on my left foot. i wasn’t thinking about anything else — shift and shoot. When you have confidence in your game, you keep scoring.’
Vardy may not have scored but his partnership with iheanacho is blossoming beautifully and he played a crucial role, too. Against a very physical Palace team, Leicester showed class and character to turn things around.
‘it was the third game in nine days, so it’s a tough schedule,’ said Rodgers. ‘ it was a very important win. Kelechi’s goal was incredible and capped off a great night for him.
‘the players were outstanding. they kept the calmness and control and scored two very good goals.’
Vardy was electric in last week’s 3- 0 win over southampton, breaking a goal drought that had lasted more than two months, and he had two good chances in the opening five minutes here, first losing his balance as he tried to round Vicente Guaita before volleying just wide seconds later.
When Palace’s chance came, they took it. Benteke robbed Youri tielemans and, as Leicester appealed for a foul, Eberechi Eze slid a delightful pass between Wesley Fofana and Evans. Zaha did not have to break stride and though schmeichel got a hand to the shot, he could not keep it out.
Leicester kept pushing but Palace were superbly organised. Wilfred Ndidi briefly hoped for a penalty when VAR checked Joel Ward’s shove on him in first-half stoppage time but the challenge was deemed legal.
‘i thought for long periods we were going to get at least a point,’ said Palace boss Roy hodgson. ‘At half-time i thought we might go on to win.’
Leicester needed a rapid response and they got it from Castagne, one of the signings of the season after his £18million move from Atalanta.
tielemans clipped the ball in from the right to iheanacho, who had spotted Castagne’s run into the box. he held off Cheikhou Kouyate before setting up his team-mate. With his weaker left foot, Castagne sent a rising effort into the top corner. having forced their way back into the game, Leicester nearly gave up their advantage immediately. As with the opener, the Foxes’ offside trap failed to work as Zaha played in Jairo Riedewald, who was left onside by Luke thomas.
Riedewald’s square pass should have given Benteke a tap-in, yet Evans produced a magnificent sliding intervention to concede a corner and keep his team level.
Vardy had the ball in the net when he swept in iheanacho’s pass though he was clearly offside. in the 77th minute, the duo opened up Palace with a one-two but Vardy took the ball too wide and could not squeeze it in.
With 10 minutes left, iheanacho decided to do the job himself. Collecting Evans’ long pass, he turned, held off scott Dann and hit the roof of the net from 12 yards.
Leicester had plenty of chances to make the game safe in the closing stages through Vardy and substitute Ayoze Perez. in the end, though, iheanacho had delivered the killer blow.
LEiCEstER have made an enquiry to bring PsV starlet Noni Madueke back to England. the former tottenham youngster, who has one England Under 21 cap, is valued at £15million. AC Milan, RB Leipzig and Lille are also in for the 19-year-old winger.