LEICESTER returned to European action as the Foxes ended a three-year wait with a victory.
- Final score: Leicester 3-0 Zorya
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GOODNIGHT!
So that’s that!
Leicester pick up a 3-0 win over Zorya Luhansk tonight in the Europa League.
Brendan Rodgers will be thrilled with the result after the Foxes lost their previous three home games.
The goals courtesy of James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho.
SunSport will be back this weekend with Premier League coverage, while the European exploits will continue next week.
STAT ATTACK
Leicester have picked up their first victory in the Uefa Cup/Europa League at the fifth attempt (D1 L3)
English sides remain unbeaten against Ukrainian teams on home soil in European competition (P33 W26 D7)
James Maddison has scored twice in his last three appearances in all competitions, as many as in his previous 25 games for Leicester City.
Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho became the first Nigerian to assist two goals in a single Europa League game.
Leicester’s Jonny Evans made his first appearance in major European competition since December 2013, for Manchester United against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
BARNES SCOOPS MOTM
RODGERS REACTION
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers told BT Sport: “It’s nice to get off to a good win in the first game, with a clean sheet which was important. We had to work very hard in the game and there are still aspects we can be better in but we can have no complaints.
“I’m very pleased for the players as Zorya played a 4-4-2 diamond. It’s a system you can have joy against on the outside but they can hurt you on the inside. We had joy going forward, but they were a threat at times. In the second half, we went to a 4-4-2 diamond ourselves as we looked to fill the game, and we still managed to create chances on top of that.”
“The players deserve a huge amount of credit for carrying out what I asked of them and we managed to keep the clean sheet. At the top end of the field, we still need a bit more movement as were a bit static at times, but the front three did well and the goals will be good for confidence levels.”
HOW FAR CAN THE FOXES GO IN EUROPE?
THE FOXES ARE BACK ON THE EUROPEAN STAGE
NEXT UP
The Foxes travel to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday and then fly to Greece to play AEK Athens next Thursday in their 2nd Europa League group game.
THE FOXES ARE TOP OF THE GROUP!
STAT ATTACK
A GREAT NIGHT FOR THE FOXES
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
Leicester City have gotten off to the perfect start in their Europa League campaign.
After a cagey first half with both sides lacking a cutting edge Leicester took the lead on the 29th minute after a wonderful curling effort from the edge of the box by Harvey Barnes hit the post and James Maddison tapped in the rebound.
The home side then doubled their lead just before half time, Iheancho played a lovely through ball for Harvey Barnes who burst through the Zorya defence and then scored with a lovely dinked finish to leave the home side firmly in control at half time.
The 2nd half saw Leicester assert their dominance and their pressure told in the 67th minute when a horrendous square pass across the Zorya’s box was pounced upon by Iheanacho who colly slotted past the keeper to make it 3-0.
Zorya huffed and puffed in the 2nd half but never really looked like scoring and it turned out to be a very comfortable evening for Rodgers’ side who were in need of a boost after suffering three successive home defeats.
PEEEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!
FULL TIME and it finishes
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
92. With two minutes to go it looks like the Foxes will get that clean sheet, great response from Rogers’ side after losing their three previous home games.
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
90. There will be four minutes of added time.
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
87. Zorya continue to push for a goal, but Leicester look comfortable. A fantastic night for the Foxes who are set to the the group tonight.
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
84. Yurchenko blazes a shot over, however it took a deflection and went out for a corner which was cleared by the home side.
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
81. Subs for Leicester: Morgan replaces Evans and Justin replaces Castagne.
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
80. The game is now petering out, Leicester are content with the scoreline, Zorya continue to huff and puff.
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
78. Zorya are still showing plenty of fight, however they have lacked a cutting edge all night to match their endeavour.
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
76. Home side looking very comfortable, a clean sheet will now be the focus for Rodgers’ side.
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
74. Chance! Harvey Barnes skipped into the Zorya area but his cross was blocked. Barnes has had a great game and been a threat throughout the night.
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
71. Subs for Leicester Perez for Iheanancho and Choudry for Tielemans
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
69. With just over twenty minutes to go Leicester now in a very commanding position, Iheanacho surely man of the match with two assists and a goal!
LEICESTER 3-0 ZORYA LUHANSK
A poor defensive pass fell straight to Iheancho in the 18 yard box, he finished clinically into the bottom right hand corner and that’s surely game over!!!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
