Premier League

Leicester City 1 (Barnes 67’)

Leeds United 0

Leicester: Schmeichel (GK) (C), Soyuncu, Barnes, Tielemans, Vardy (Iheanacho 61’), Albrighton, Amartey, Choudhury (Lookman 61’) Dewsbury-Hall, Ndidi (Mendy 76’), Thomas. Subs not used: Ward (GK), Perez, Vestergaard, Daka, Soumare, Brunt. 

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling (C), Firpo, Koch, Raphinha, Dallas, Rodrigo (Gelhardt 63’), James, Struijk, Harrison (Roberts 76’), Klich (Forshaw 69’). Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Bamford, Cresswell, Summerville, Greenwood, Shackleton.

Venue: KingPower Stadium 

Referee: David Coote

Booked: Ndidi (Leicester) Struijk, Forshaw (Leeds)

Jesse Marsch saw his side lose to a second half Harvey Barnes goal away at Leicester City in his first match in charge. Despite creating a number of opportunities and being on top for large amounts of the game, the Whites couldn’t find a goal in the match. 

Leeds started off on the front-foot from kick-off at the King Power Stadium. Dan James, who occupied one of the forward positions, got in behind the Leicester defence from Rodrigo’s pass and forced Kasper Schmeichel to make a smart save. 

Straight back down the other end, one of the main attacking threats for the home side tested Illan Meslier with an early effort. Barnes cut inside and shot on goal, forcing the United stopper into a save of his own.

Marsch saw his side continue to show attacking intent inside the opening 10 minutes of the match. Robin Koch struck wide from outside the box, whilst Luke Ayling put a header over the bar, before Jack Harrison forced another good save from Schmeichel. 

There were plenty of set-pieces gained at either end, but both defences were standing strong. When a chance did arrive from a corner, Rodrigo appealed for a penalty after appearing to be caught by Caglar Soyuncu but nothing was awarded. 

Moments later another cross into the box created the best chance of the opening 45 minutes. Rodrigo’s ball into the middle deflected into the path of Junior Firpo, who saw his powerful shot well blocked by the hosts as it looked to be heading into the back of the net. 

There was still time for two more chances as the first half came towards its conclusion. Raphinha was the next to shoot at the Foxes goal but his strike was blocked, before Wilfred Ndidi made Meslier save from his header back down the other end.

A first half which saw attacking intent from both sides was brought to a close with the score still level. 

HALF TIME: Leicester City 0-0 Leeds United 

Neither side made a change during the break as both teams came out looking to break the deadlock in this second half. 

The first two efforts on goal came from James, but neither caused too many issues. The next to shoot as Harrison who saw his effort deflected behind for a corner. From Stuart Dallas’ cross, Rodrigo connected well at the front post and saw his header saved well by Schmeichel. 

The Whites would then go even closer in what had been a strong opening period to the second 45. After Firpo combined well with Harrison on the wing, the former hit a low ball into the box. Raphinha was well placed and turned the ball goalwards, only to see Schmeichel save well again. 

Both teams would then go to their benches after the hour mark in the match. Joe Gelhardt came on for Rodrigo, whilst Leicester opted to bring on Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman.  

Gelhardt was into the action instantly. The forward found space and in turn was found by Raphinha inside the box. From his left-footed strike, the home side managed to get the slightest of deflections which saw the ball go just wide. 

In the 67th minute, the first goal did arrive and it was largely against the run of play. Barnes broke forward down the left and played a one-two with the recently introduced Iheanacho. After collecting the pass back to him, Barnes finished low into the bottom corner to put his side ahead. 

Despite a number of chances created throughout the match and further opportunities, after going behind Leeds were unable to fashion another strong opportunity to get level in the game. 

With time running out Marsch pushed as many of his players forward as he could in search of a leveller but ultimately the home side held out and secured a three points against a Leeds side that will be frustrated to have taken nothing from the game.  

FULL TIME: Leicester City 1-0 Leeds United