Scoring first could be key to beating United

WE FACE THREE CUP FINALS IN LEAGUE - ALBRIGHTON

SATISFYING their “obsession” with scoring the first goal may be the key to success as Leicester City aim to bounce back to winning ways at Manchester United tonight (6pm).

After Friday’s 4-2 home defeat to Newcastle, winger Marc Albrighton, right, admitted City were desperate to get off the mark first in order to ease their anxiety.

Instead, City left themselves vulnerable to the counter-attack and ended up 4-0 down.

“We were so obsessed with trying to get that first goal and settle early nerves,” said Albrighton.

“But we need to keep it tight. We let them in.”

It has been a problem for City all season.

They have now conceded first in 18 of their 35 matches and only four teams – Sheffield United, West Brom, Wolves, and Newcastle – have done so more often.

City have taken 20 points from those 18 games, which is an excellent record, the second-best in the league, but often the mountain is too big to surmount.

Whereas in the 16 games City have scored the first goal, they have won 14, with Brendan Rodgers’ side adept at holding out for three points.

That record is only bettered by Manchester City.

Heading to Old Trafford, City might have a very good opportunity to get their noses in front, with

Man United also notorious for going behind.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have conceded first in 14 matches, but have won 10, including at the weekend when they took on Aston

Villa.

Those are very impressive powers of recovery.

If City do get in front and then hold off the Red Devils it would give an almighty boost to their top four hopes. “We’ve got three cup finals in the league that we need to go and get points from and we’ll make sure we give ourselves the best chance to do so,” Albrighton told LCFC TV.

“Three great games to go and prove that we deserve to be up there, and that we deserve to get a top four place.

“You need to beat these teams that we’ve got in our next three to call yourself a Champions League side. We’re looking forward to that challenge.

“We’ve got to put Newcastle behind us quickly. There’s disappointment and we need to make sure we get over it.

“We’ve got Manchester United and (the Premier League) is our bread and butter.

“This is our main aim and we need to make sure we put (Newcastle) behind us.

“That’s the priority moment.” at the