March 05, (THEWILL) – In Jesse Marsch’s debut game in command of Leeds United, his much-improved Premier League side lost 1-0 at Leicester City.
Leeds looked significantly more sturdy than they had in recent weeks, and they even threatened to score, but bad finishing and heroics from Kasper Schmeichel kept them from doing so. After the break, they were handed a sucker blow when Harvey Barnes scored to give the hosts three points.
The first half was exciting to watch, resembling a basketball game with both teams effectively counter-attacking. Leeds, who looked like a completely different team than the one that lost to Tottenham last weekend, arguably barely edged it in terms of chances.
Jack Harrison almost completed a lightning-quick move, but Schmeichel saved his low effort, while Rodrigo blasted over while unmarked from the edge of the box.
That is not to say the home team did not pose a threat. On the stroke of halftime, Leicester had the finest chance of the game, with Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi aiming a free header straight at Illan Meslier.
In the second half, the hosts started slowly, with Leeds creating several good chances. Schmeichel saved Stuart Dallas’ header from a corner, and then Raphinha was denied by the Dane again from inside the six-yard box.
Leeds were made to rue their squandering soon after the hour mark when Barnes was given a chance at goal following a lovely one-two with substitute Kelechi Iheanacho, and he made no mistake, sliding the ball into the far corner.
Leicester tightened up at the defence once they were up, and when substitute Tyler Roberts was forced out due to injury that reduced Leeds to 10 men, the Foxes were able to hold on for the win.
Leicester are now in 10th place in the Premier League table, and they will now focus on the Europa Conference League, where they will play Rennes in the first leg on Thursday. Meanwhile, Leeds are still in 16th place, but it might get even worse if Burnley win their game against Chelsea later on Saturday.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
