Leicester (1) 2 Stoke 0 – 7/10/23 3pm
Very much a story of damage-limitation as Stoke lost by only 2 goals away to rampant league-leaders Leicester, who appeared to be just toying with the Potters. Injury-ravaged Stoke probably shouldn’t feel so bad about this defeat…but how beneath Leicester they are in the great scheme of things is shocking. “Miles away,” was a quote I overheard. Here’s how this whitewash unfolded in real time:
It’s a balmy/barmy October afternoon. 20 degrees in the shade. Global warming bring the world to a standstill (well, Scotland is hit with a landslide), but here at the Power Stadium we wait to see how Leicester (9 wins in 10, only 3 goals conceded at home) face Stoke (3 wins in 10, 1 win away, 5 goals scored away). Depleted Stoke have ONE real defender (McNally) with Laurent playing beside him at the back. Lowe is the last man standing up front, supported by Junho Bae. Things are as thin as former Stokie Harry Souttar’s wasteline.
6.01 With Leicester dominating, somehow Bae Junho receives the ball in the penalty area and is immediately brought down by Vestergaard. All replays make it look like a penalty as Jannik clearly kicks Junho’s foot as he clears the ball. Nothing given. Advantage home side!
21.22 Display Screen (& Sky app) report 90% possession to Leicester!
23.16 0-1 Leicester pick the Stoke defence lock, and work their way into the crowded penalty area, threading the ball through to where Kelechi Iheanacho turns and scores from a tight angle.
25.50 Nathan Lowe is taken out by Vestergaard as Burger’s through ball catches Jannik out. The Leicester defender gets a yellow (the Stoke fans reckon it would’ve been red if he’d played for Stoke), and the free kick is wasted going straight to keeper Hermansen.
31.32 Burger is yellowed tackling Casadei on the break. Unjustified. Vestergaard’s earlier tackle on Junho was worse.
38.22 Laurent’s pass straight into touch. 22% possession for Stoke, and that’s all they seem to be able to do with it. Souttar toying with them at the back.
40.05 Stoke somehow win a 2nd corner, but it turns into a Daniel Johnson cross that’s headed way wide by Jordan Thompson. Weak.
42.31 Great cross by Junior Chamadeu from the right, but somehow Lowe failed to connect in front of goal! A genuinely decent chance for Stoke.
45+2 HT 0-1! 10-90% possession! Grief!
45.25 Brilliant break down the right for Leris, but Lowe heads the cross way over. What a missed opportunity.
47.40 Yunus Akgun then does exactly the same for Leicester down the other end!! Heading practice! Monday morning!
52.55 Great save by Mark Travers at his near post from a low shot by Akgun.
60.00 Stoke fans singing, “We’ve got the ball…we’ve got the ball…we’ve lost the ball…” Well, what else do we need to about this game.
61.02 Travers looks like he’s got cramp!
64.36 DJ Johnson gets a whack in the area, but it’s hardly a penalty. Then Burger is tripped. No card, wasted free kick.
67.50 Well-worked move gives Lowe a shot that is turned round the post by the keeper. Corner wasted.
74.03 Dewsbury-Hall has a simple one-on-one with Travers, but the Stoke keeper saves. City still in this game somehow!
76.45 Goal-scorer Iheanacho replaced by Jamie Vardy (famous for that court case involving his wife, I believe).
78.38 0-2 !! And that Vardy guy scores with practically his first touch. Ndidi and Fatawu exchange passes to set up Jamie with a chance he can’t miss in the 6 yard box. If they subbed Vardy now, I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised.
87.45 Haksabanovic, Gayle and Sidibe on for Leris, Lowe and Junho. To what avail?
90+2 Ndidi breaks but puts the ball over the bar. Leicester not taking their chances.
90+5 Ref puts Stoke out their misery. FT 0-2.
