What is the perfect way to bounce back from the disappointment of a failed deadline day move? I think Leicester City may have just answered that question with their biggest win of the season.
The club had hoped to complete a deal for Italian midfielder Stefano Sensi in the final hours of Thursday night. But delays meant that time ran out before the 11pm deadline.
The player has returned to Inter, and could even be included in their squad for Sunday’s Serie A game against Juventus. City, meanwhile, were left shorter on options in the number 8 position than they were at the start of the window.
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Cesare Casadei was recalled by Chelsea earlier in the window, while Wilfred Ndidi is expected to be out for some time yet after undergoing surgery on an injury. But City showed that it may not be a big issue as they returned to action against Stoke City on Saturday.
Kasey McAteer, who usually plays out wide was selected alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in midfield, ahead of Yunus Akgun, who had scored from the bench in the previous two games.
The academy graduate scored the second of City’s five goals on the afternoon. He was replaced at half time by Dennis Praet after picking up a yellow card in the first 45 minutes.
Patson Daka (X2) and Jamie Vardy (x2) were the others on the scoresheet on what was a comfortable afternoon at the Bet365 Stadium. Fans in the away end sang Enzo Maresca’s name throughout the match, showing their support for the Italian after some smatterings of frustration in the first half against Swansea City.
Those chants continued in the second half, as well as songs about going up and winning the league. At the end a banner was displayed which read ‘playing football the Enzo way’.
After questions were raised about the manager’s style and the disappointment of the late transfer deal falling through. A 5-0 win is the perfect reminder of just how well the team on the pitch are doing this season.
The victory moves the side 11 points clear of Southampton in second place after Ipswich fell to defeat against Preston. The gap to third place is now 12 points.
72 points from the first 30 games of the season shows just how good of a job Maresca is doing. Even if the Italian was left frustrated by certain things this week, it didn’t translate on the pitch and that is the perfect way to respond to disappointment. Long may it continue.
