Leicester City's King Power Stadium was ablaze with excitement on Saturday afternoon as they dominated the field to secure a stunning 3-0 victory against Rotherham United, the bottom-of-the-table team. In a match that started with a goalless first half, the Foxes showcased their relentless determination, scoring three sensational goals in the second period. Patson Daka was the star of the show, contributing with a brace, while Cesare Casadei added a stunning header to cement Leicester City's victory.
The Difference Lies in Belief and Quality
Breaking down a well-organized defense is no easy feat, even for the best teams. However, Leicester City displayed the perfect combination of patience and belief in their abilities. With superior players compared to their opponents, the Foxes remained calm and composed as the match reached the hour mark with a 0-0 scoreline. The pressure gradually built up, and the result became inevitable.
Patson Daka Shines Bright
It was a memorable day for Patson Daka. He proved his worth as the Man of the Match by consistently finding himself in the right place at the right time. With the wings clipped and limited space for the midfielders, the forward line, led by Daka, shouldered the responsibility. Ricardo, Winks, and the backline showcased exceptional performance, orchestrating the game, and luring the Millers out of their defensive shape. Enzo Maresca, Leicester City's manager, must be pleased with the team's outstanding display.
A Commanding Lead at the Top
With this victory, Leicester City accumulated an impressive total of 58 points from 23 matches. They now sit comfortably at the top of the table, six points clear of Ipswich Town and a substantial 13 points ahead of Leeds United, currently in third place. As the halfway point of the season approaches, it is worth noting that the Foxes are currently on pace to achieve a remarkable 116 points, although it is unlikely to be attained. Nevertheless, this highlights the team's exceptional form over a sustained period.
Exciting Fixtures Ahead
Leicester City's dominance doesn't stop here. Their next challenge is a highly anticipated clash with Ipswich Town, scheduled for Boxing Day at Portman Road. Following that, they travel to Wales to face Cardiff City, and on New Year's Day, they will close out the festive period with a match against Huddersfield Town at the King Power Stadium.
Lineups
Leicester City:
- Mads Hermansen
- Ricardo Pereira (C)
- Wout Faes
- Jannik Vestergaard
- James Justin
- Wilfred Ndidi
- Harry Winks
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
- Abdul Fatawu
- Stephy Mavididi
- Patson Daka
Rotherham United:
- Victor Johansson
- Sean Morrison
- Sebastian Revan
- Hakeem Odoffin
- Cohen Bramall
- Dexter Lembikisa
- Christ Tiehi
- Oliver Rathbone
- Jamie Lindsay
- Sam Nombe
Key Moments and Notes
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Victor Johansson, former Leicester City goalkeeper, guards the Millers' goal.
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Rotherham United adopts a deep and compact defensive strategy, as expected.
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Leicester City finds the back of the net, but the goal is disallowed due to offside.
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Faes and Hugill engage in a physical battle, resulting in a foul against Faes.
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Ricardo takes up a left-back position, with Winks in midfield and Justin at right-back.
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Morrison's long throws cause trouble in the Leicester box, but the Foxes manage to clear.
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Bramall makes an impressive burst forward, but Fatawu tracks back and steals the ball.
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Ndidi has a golden opportunity to score, but he opts to cross the ball instead, which goes unrewarded. HALF TIME: Leicester City 0 - 0 Rotherham United
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No changes made during halftime.
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A goal-line clearance denies Daka a sure goal after a penalty-worthy foul.
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Fatawu makes way for Yunus Akgun in the first substitution of the match.
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Ricardo and Dewsbury-Hall combine brilliantly, resulting in a save by Johansson.
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GOAL! Faes assists Ndidi, whose shot is deflected to Daka, leaving him with an easy tap-in.
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GOAL! Daka wins a penalty against Johansson, who receives a yellow card. Daka converts the penalty to double Leicester's lead.
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KDH and Ndidi are substituted for Casadei and Praet with one eye on the Ipswich Town match.
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GOAL! Praet sets up Ricardo's run into the box, and his cross is met with a diving header by Casadei.
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Justin and Ricardo make way for Choudhury and Souttar.
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Five minutes of added time are announced. 90+4. Faes attempts a through ball to Mavididi, but it goes wide due to offside. FULL TIME: Leicester City 3 - 0 Rotherham United
Bad news for Rotherham United, as it may be a while before they visit the King Power Stadium again.
This just in: Patson Daka is not capable of holding his arms in front of him and flying like Superman. Where's my Pulitzer?
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
