Soy the boy as Leicester close on top-four finish
CAGLAR SOYUNCU’S thumping header gave Leicester’s top-four hopes a huge shot in the arm as they condemned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s scratch Manchester United side to the defeat that saw Manchester City crowned Premier League champions.
The hosts’ ten changes gave Brendan Rodgers’ stuttering outfit a great chance to get their Champions League qualification push back on track ahead of playing in their first FA Cup final in 52 years.
Leicester took that opportunity as they won a league match at Old Trafford for the first time since 1998, with Soyuncu sealing a 2-1 triumph after Mason Greenwood cancelled out Luke Thomas’ stunning volley.
The Foxes now look well placed to join the Manchester sides in next season’s Champions League, as they moved back to third.
Leicester capitalised on the much-changed hosts’ incoherency, with the opener coming with just ten minutes on the clock.
Alex Telles was caught out of position and Nemanja Matic failed to track Youri Tielemans’ run. He crossed to the far post, where Thomas produced a superb left-footed volley.
However, the visitors lead lasted just five minutes. Amad Diallo outmuscled Thomas on the right and played inside to Greenwood, who shot low beyond Kasper Schmeichel.
Solskjaer turned to substitutes Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani in a bid to change the dynamics of a match that was threatening to swing Leicester’s way.
Their first job was to defend a corner, which Marc Albrighton sent over from the right. Soyuncu shook off Rashford and powered a header into the top left-hand corner.
United upped the ante and Bruno Fernandes flashed a shot wide, but Leicester held out for an important victory.