“I saw togetherness, energy and spirit” | Ruud van Nistelrooy reacts to Leicester's win

"Essential Win for Leicester City: Rise from the Ashes with a Dominant Display"

Last night, Leicester City kicked off their Premier League campaign with a thrilling 3-1 win over West Ham, as they extended their lead to four points over the bottom three. The post-match analysis revealed a more pressing need for improvement, despite the impressive result.

The analysists are correct in noting that West Ham had 31 shots, their highest tally on record, with an expected goal (XG) of 3.35. In contrast, Leicester City’s XG was 1.35, hinting that they may have relied on luck to claim the three points. However, the result is what matters, and the Foxes will be pleased to have ended a six-match winless streak.

But what’s crucial is the stat that counts: Leicester City has a challenging set of fixtures coming up, and a strong start will be vital. They’ll face Brighton at home this weekend, before traveling to face Newcastle on December 22nd. A win at this stage could prove pivotal, given the competition from bottom three clubs.

Positive Takeaways:

• The Foxes have extended their gap to the bottom three to four points, which could be crucial in the run-in.
• They’ve ended a six-match winless streak, which is a significant psychological boost.
• The win demonstrated the team’s clinical finishing, with Vardy scoring on the night.

Room for Improvement:

• The analysis highlights the need for better conversion rates, as evidenced by West Ham’s 31 shots and Leicester City’s 8 shots on target.
• The team will need to be more clinical in front of goal, to justify their XG numbers.

Julen’s Reaction:

Post-match, Julen Lua Nova voiced his concerns about the team’s performance, focusing on the need for improvement. He emphasized the importance of his team’s attitude and behavior, knowing that a month of December lies ahead, with multiple matches and opportunities to gather points.

What’s Next for Leicester City?

As they look to bounce back from a challenging period, Leicester City will face:

• Brighton (H) – December 2nd
• Newcastle (A) – December 22nd
• West Ham (H) – December 26th (Boxing Day)
• Manchester City (H) – December 29th
• Aston Villa (A) – January 2nd

Leicester City’s performance in these fixtures will be crucial in determining their fate at the lower end of the Premier League table.