Leicester City snapped a seven-game winless streak with a 3-0 win over Norwich City at the King Power Stadium thanks to Jamie Vardy’s second-half brace.
Leicester City returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon in what was basically a dead rubber game, with the visitors already demoted from the top-flight and the Foxes out of consideration for European qualification but well clear off the drop zone.
The game got off to a very open start, with both sides getting forward in numbers to generate chances and have their attacking moments in the first half. Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn stopped James Maddison’s long-range attempt before going at full stretch to keep out Jamie Vardy’s rebound. Gunn was once again forced into a spectacular save when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall slid Maddison in for a thunderous strike destined for the top corner.
Vardy then broke the deadlock in the 54th minute with a deflected right-footed shot, beating Gunn from the left side of the box. The Leicester striker then made it 2-0 around the hour mark with a ruthless finish, before Maddison rubbed salt into Norwich’s wounds when he hammered in the hosts’ third with a smashing left-footed half volley.
Norwich, who were competitive in the first half, are down and out and remain rooted to the basement after five straight league defeats. Meanwhile, the victory lifted the mood around the King Power Stadium and helped Brendan Rodgers’s side climb into the top half. Here are our player ratings for the Foxes.
Three points for the Foxes on Filbert Way! ?
Delivered by @ParimatchUK ?#LeiNor pic.twitter.com/0kOqNqZBam
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 11, 2022
Kasper Schmeichel: 7/10
With Norwich playing with a bit of freedom, Schmeichel was forced into action on a number of occasions in the first half. He was quick off his line to Tony Springett’s feet to deny a shot at goal before producing a superb stop to recover and keep out Teemu Pukki’s follow-up attempt. In the second half, the Leicester captain had little to worry about with the Foxes in control and saw out a clean sheet. Overall, the Dane was solid in goal and commanded his defence well.
Timothy Castagne: 7/10
A very consistent performer, Castagne put in a really good performance on the right flank. He made a few intelligent forward runs, delivered some fine balls in behind to Vardy down the channel, and tracked back swiftly to snuff out a couple of Norwich’s turnovers. The Belgian full-back completed five tackles, and two clearances and won five of his seven attempted ground duels, while also making two key passes.
Daniel Amartey: 5/10
Pukki made a mockery of the Ghanaian centre-back in the first half, as the Norwich striker was a nightmare to deal with his pace and runs in behind. Amartey was embarrassed the most when he was beaten from all angles and then shoved to the floor by the Finnish striker. He did not let that bother him, though, and he played well in the second period. Still, he is not a convincing, authoritative defender like Fofana that the backline requires.
Jonny Evans: 6.5/10
Evans had a decent game, winning the most headers and managing the game such that attacks were stopped before they grew too dangerous, notably tracking back to Pukki to halt the first-half breakaway. With the Norwich attack toothless in the second period, the Northern Irishman was not tested enough. He attempted 91 passes—the joint-most in the game—and won a game-high three aerial duels while playing 11 accurate long-balls to spread the play.
James Justin: 7/10
Justin, at times, struggled to deal with the buzzing presence of Norwich winger Springett in the first half, which got the visitors moving up. However, the Leicester academy graduate improved as the game went on and utilised his pace well to track back and put a half on turnover. He then did well to surge forward, proving to be a nuisance combining with Harvey Barnes on the left flank.
Youri Tielemans: 7.5/10
Tielemans has not been at his best this season, but neither have the Foxes. This superb all-around performance was a telling response to his critics. The Belgian maestro played some lovely forward passes, sending a tempting pass for an early Vardy opportunity and usually distributing the ball smartly. He also never shied away from going to the ground, winning five tackles at the base of midfield.
Ademola Lookman: 5/10
Lookman, as has been the case all season, got into some wonderful positions inside the opposition’s box in the first half. But his poor decision-making and lack of end-product constantly let him down. He was hooked off at half-time to generate a sense of urgency for the rest of the game, which does not reflect well on him either.
James Maddison: 9/10
??????? James Maddison vs Norwich City:
• 90 minutes
• 1 goal scored
• 2 key passes
• 2 dribbles completed
• 4 long balls completed
• 1 cross completed
• 10/16 ground duels won
• 3 fouls won
• 5 tackles won pic.twitter.com/lXmASdMtPy— Matchday365 (@Matchday365) May 11, 2022
Much of Maddison’s influence in the first half was thwarted by the Norwich defenders, who were quick to close him down. But he eventually found more room and began to have an impact on the game, moving the ball well out to the wings and testing Angus Gunn with speculative efforts before ultimately beating the Norwich shot-stopper with a superb finish on the 70th-minute mark. The English playmaker also provided the required defensive work against his former club, completing five tackles (the joint-highest in the game).
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: 7/10
Dewsbury-Hall got yet another all-action display under his belt, as he imposed his will on the attacking side of things. He was really good at reading the game, proactive both on and off the ball and showed his talent to churn chances, supplying Maddison for his first-half opportunities and spinning smartly down the left to put in a cross-cum-shot in the lead-up to the third goal.
Harvey Barnes: 7/10
Barnes was a threat down the left side with his direct dribbling and menacing pace, as Norwich did not really know how to deal with him, although he did not always make the right choices. Vardy’s dangerous movement and sharp-shooting talents helped his productivity greatly, with the veteran ensuring the English winger went away with two assists to his name. That said, Barnes did time his weighted ball to perfection for the second.
Jamie Vardy: 9/10
Normal service has been resumed. Leicester’s talisman was the star once again, scoring a brace while being a complete nuisance for the opposition to deal with throughout the game. The Player to Watch in our preview, Vardy led by example and showed Leicester exactly what they were lacking in what has been a tough season with niggling injuries for the 35-year-old marksman.
jamie vardy vs norwich city:
90 minutes played
2 goals
6 accurate passes
4 shots on target
2 big chances missed
27 touches
1 accurate cross
1 accurate long ball
2 tackles won☄️☄️☄️ pic.twitter.com/g7qkSDRWxV
— theexplicitgame (@theexplicitgam) May 11, 2022
From the first whistle, he was actively looking for possible half chances and gambles, and he blew a great opportunity when he failed to turn in a rebound. The veteran then produced a striking masterclass in the second period, expertly timing his trademark runs in behind to remain onside. Got a bit lucky with the first goal, but the second was all about being in the right position at the right moment to make a dash and a well-executed first-time finish.
SUBSTITUTES
Nampalys Mendy: 6/10
As Rodgers looked to freshen things up at the break, Mendy was brought on for Lookman. The Senegalese international brought composure and some precise passing in midfield, completing 34 of his 35 attempted passes. He did not contribute enough to the defensive side of things, though.
