Recap
Leicester City fell by a score of 2-0 to Blackburn Rovers at the King Power in the final match of the League Championship season. Neither team offered much in terms of attack in a scoreless first half. Sammie Szmodics scored two breakaway goals in the second half as the Foxes were exposed at the back and punished for failure to finish several good chances.
There’s very little point in looking too closely at this match. The Foxes had already won the title and ensured promotions. The only things left to play for were the 100-point mark and a record 32nd win. The failure to achieve those two interesting-but-unimportant marks is disappointing, but it means next to nothing. This was a triumph.
However, my duty as a consummate professional compels me to at least try to wrap it up. Did anyone stand out? Winks was his usual excellent-in-a-low-key-way. Faes looked weirdly comfortable on the left and it makes you wonder if he’s going to be deployed that way next year. Everyone else was…ok? Mistakes by Hermansen and Vestergaard cost us the match, but it wasn’t a terrible performance. It just wasn’t a great one.
The defeat gives the Foxes a final tally of 97 points for the season which is, technically speaking, “good.” In case you were wondering, Ipswich Town join us in earning automatic promotion. The playoffs will consist of Leeds United, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, and Norwich City. Birmingham City join Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United in dropping to League One.
And next up? We don’t know yet who will be our next opponent. But we do know it’ll be the match will be in the top flight.
Lineups
Leicester City: Mads Hermansen, Hamza Choudhury (Yunus Akgun 62′), Jannik Vestergaard, Wout Faes, James Justin (Callum Doyle 78′), Wilfred Ndidi, Harry Winks, Ricardo Pereira, Abdul Fatawu (Marc Albrighton 54′), Stephy Mavididi (Kasey McAteer 78′), Jamie Vardy (C) (Kelechi Iheanacho 78′)
Blackburn Rovers: Aynsley Pears, Kyle McFadzean, Benjamin Chrisene, Hayden Carter, Joe Rankin-Costello, Sondre Tronstad, Sammie Szmodics, Harry Pickering, Callum Brittain, Tyrhys Dolan, Sam Gallagher
Key Moments and Notes
1′- Blackburn form an honor guard as the Foxes emerge from the tunnel. Jamie Vardy leads City onto the pitch as each player is accompanied by their children. The atmosphere is incredible. There may be a metaphorical cloud or two around the club, but it’s all sunshine today and everyone is enjoying it to the fullest.
4′- Close! Choudhury plays a poor pass that put Winks in trouble. Rovers are on it in a flash and work it to Gallagher in space on the right side of the area. He hits the side netting and really should have done better.
7′- Szmodics gets in behind the Leicester defense and squares it for Brittain. Ndidi gets back and makes a last ditch tackle to prevent a certain goal. Rovers are all over this very curious City back line. How curious? Choudhury is partnering with Vestergaard in central defense with Justin and Faes serving as fullbacks. Early indications are not great.
13′- The supporters are singing Andy King’s name as the match settles down a bit. It’s a beautiful moment. The Foxes’ legend announced his retirement and you can bet we’ll have something to say about him later this week.
21′- The match has settled into a more comfortable pattern, giving the commentary team a little time to relax and tell stories. I’ve no idea what streaming options will be available when we return to the Premier League, but I’ve enjoyed the Foxes Hub broadcasts this year.
26′- Close! Oh, Jamie. A dreadful backpass by the Rovers’ defense goes straight to Vardy in the penalty area. He chips it over the rushing Pears but somehow puts it wide. He’s not going to get many better chances.
31′- The stands erupt in applause as Marc Albrighton warms up on sidelines. Sharky turns to applaud the fans because of course he does. This could be his last match in a Leicester shirt and, if I were a betting man, I’d wager he’ll be on the pitch before the final whistle today.
42′- Justin tries his luck from 30 yards. Youri Tielemans used to score once or twice a season from that position, but this effort is well wide.
45′- There’s no injury time to be played as half comes to a close. Not the most eventful half of football I’ve seen.
HALF-TIME: Leicester City 0 – 0 Blackburn Rovers
Might as well do a little scoreboard-watching during the break. As things stand, Ipswich are promoted. Leeds, Southampton, West Brom, and Norwich will be in the playoffs, and Birmingham City will be relegated along with Huddersfield and Rotherham.
Also, is it just me, or does a salt-and-pepper beard really suit Muzzy Izzet? I was about to say “I hope I look that good at his age,” but I looked it up and I’m 9 years his senior. I can assure you I didn’t look that good in 2015.
46′- And we’re back! No changes at the half.
53′- Albrighton is on for Fatawu. Leicester’s first Champions League goalscorer gets a roar of applause from the fans and the captain’s armband from Vardy. His first involvement is to fire in an inviting cross that gets put behind for a corner. That’s what he does, after all.
I guess Abdul had to go sign a contract or something…
58′- There will be injury time played at the end of this half. Justin goes uncharacteristically hard on Dolan, wiping out the Rovers man with the follow-through. The fullback sees yellow and he’s earned it.
62′- Choudhury is off and Yunus Akgun comes on. This results in a lot of shifting in the City formation: Justin moves to the left, Faes goes into central defense, Ricardo moves to right back, and Yunis goes into central midfield.
68′- GOAL! Blackburn clear an Albrighton cross and play it into the Leicester half. Szmodics races on to it and no defense is going to catch him. The Championship’s top goalscorer keeps his cool and slots it home. Leicester City 0 – 1 Blackburn Rovers
73′- Close! Mavididi receives a cross deep in the area. For a change, he has only a single defense to beat. He cuts inside and blasts over. That chance deserved a better finish.
79′- It’s a triple change for the Foxes. Justin, Mavididi, and Vardy come off for Callum Doyle, Kasey McAteer, and Kelechi Iheanacho. This will probably be the Seniorman’s last appearance for the Foxes and he’s applauded appropriately.
80′- Close! Iheanacho tips the ball back to Winks, whose shot is tipped onto the underside of the bar by Pears. Iheanacho tries to head the rebound home, but it’s weak and directly at the keeper.
82′- Close! McAteer spots Ricardo’s run and stands up a peach of a cross. The Portuguese defender makes good contact, but it’s right into Pears’ arms.
90′- Six minutes of time will be added on. Foes does well to beat his defender, but his shot of him from distance was n’t a great decision. It’s an easy take for Pears.
94′- GOAL! Yunus goes down claiming a foul on the edge of the Blackburn box, but it isn’t given. The clearance goes into the City half and Hermansen comes for it, but Szmodics gets there first. He rounds the keeper and then trots 40 years with the ball at his feet and taps it into the net.
FULL TIME: Leicester City 0 – 2 Blackburn Rovers
…and that’s all that really matters.
