In one of the games of the season, hat-trick hero Diogo Jota broke Leicester City hearts by earning the 4-3 victory for Wolves in the dying seconds of a thrilling game which saw the Foxes come back from a losing position twice; once being a two-goal deficit.
The end of the game emphasised the importance of the game with an isolated Claude Puel in despair with his head in his hands while an elated Nuno Espirito Sant0 celebrated with his players on the pitch.
Wolves got off to a flying start when Ruben Neves forced a world class save from Kasper Schmeichel who launched to his top left corner to tip a curling shot over the bar. The subsequential corner was cleared but Demarai Gray lost the ball for Leicester which released Wolves down the right allowing them to put an early cross into Jota who got in front of a heavy heeled Danny Simpson. He was able to get a foot on the cross giving Schmeichel no chance and Wolves the advantage within four minutes of play.
The game continued to play out intensely with both teams pressing aggressively. Rui Patricio gave Jamie Vardy a glimmer of hope when getting the ball tangled under his feet, but the Wolves defence were able to recover, which led to a period of pressure from Leicester. However, it did not take long for Wolves to add a second when Joao Moutinho whipped a corner to the back post which was met by the head of a charging Ryan Bennett who powered the header into the bottom corner on ten minutes.
Leicester began racking up the chances and piling on the pressure on Wolves to reduce the deficit. Rui Patricio’s hands were stung a couple of times, but Leicester’s lack of accuracy denied themselves any great opportunity of scoring.
Wolves were creating the better chances throughout and Jota could have grabbed his second of the game but failed when drilling a free header straight into the keeper’s arms. The remainder of the half saw Leicester control more possession but again failing to create any meaningful chances.
Leicester’s half time team talk must have highlighted their inaccuracy in front of goal as within two minutes of kick-off, Gray broke through at speed and avoided a last-ditch tackle when entering the box to slide the ball into the far corner from a tight angle, giving Leicester the perfect start to the second half.
Harvey Barnes nearly equalised for the Foxes seconds later when some sloppy play from Wolves saw Vardy pick up the ball, switching to Barnes breaching into the box who forced a good save from Rui Patricio. However, Barnes’ first Premier League start saw him nearly cap it with a goal after his deflected shot was later deemed to be an own goal from Conor Coady. His powerful effort saw the Foxes draw level and set up a thrilling last 40 minutes.
A blow to Leicester came when Harry Maguire had to leave the pitch due to an injury concern. Leicester’s defence became stretched and the game came back to life when Jota steamed forward from the halfway line to beat the offside trap and chest down Neves’ pinpoint pass. He ran onto ball, into the box and struck a hard and low shot through Schmeichel, deflecting off his legs with the ball finding its way into the roof of the net.
Leicester introduced James Maddison, who has created the third most chances in the league this season, to try and get on level terms again. Puel’s tactical change paid off when Madison crossed in from a free-kick which met the head of a determined Wes Morgan who got the run on the defender and put it past Patricio into the far corner to make it 3-3.
Then, Molineux erupted in the final minute, when the Leicester defence were nowhere to be seen as a spectacular Neves through ball found Jimenez out wide who squared the ball across to an unmarked Jota, whose calm one-touch finish saw the game end in ecstatic fashion. Nuno, elated with his players, joined them in the celebrations but was dismissed by the referee for his involvement. The ref blew up to end the game at 4-3 and making it one the most memorable games in the Premier League this season.
Claude Puel: Emulating his Southampton dismissal
Today’s defeat dropped Leicester to 9th, but despite their comfortable position in the table, there are noises of discontent with the manager’s failings in trying to establish a possession-based style of football. Discussions with and about Puel are mainly focused around his future and the Frenchman is the next favourite Premier League manager to lose his job. Another defeat against a team competing for similar positions in the league will only add to the Foxes manager’s woes.
Since their Premier League winning Cinderella story season three years ago, people would suspect the Leicester supporters expect more than aiming to finish in the top ten each season, but it’s the dreary performances causing concern. Southampton fans will confirm the issues with Claude Puel’s style of football which was a main factor in losing his job with the Saints. Puel also has a worse record than his predecessor, Craig Shakespeare. The situation is similar to that in which he parted ways with Southampton and the clock is ticking on his time as Leicester boss. A radical change in his philosophy to emulate the attacking football Leicester have been used to may regain some backing from supporters and even players; but managers rarely U-turn on their playing style.
With Leicester’s next three games coming against Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, Puel’s days may be numbered but managerial availability could see him reach the summer before a change in management takes place.
Leicester: Chasing games
Leicester are joint top in most points gained from losing positions this season in the Premier League. Once again, the Foxes found themselves in a familiar position at Molineux having to fight back twice, first from a two-goal deficit which they did do in the space of five minutes and the equaliser to make it 3-3.
They’ve managed to gain 12 points from losing positions this season which highlights the great character and determination that emanates throughout the club. In games in which they’ve had to recover a result from a losing position have come against Man City, Huddersfield and Southampton who they beat and drew against Fulham, Brighton and West Ham.
Leicester would expect to get more points from these games, apart from the surprise victory against Manchester City. Puel has been criticised for his defensive set-ups going into many games which leads to having to perform heroics to earn results. Arguably, if Puel approached games with the attacking mindset which his players adopt when losing, they could outscore their opponents. However, once Maguire departed the field, it became evident how important he is to their defence.
The Foxes crumbled and on many occasions were leaving large pockets of space, allowing Wolves to run in behind them. Considering the structure Maguire brings to the defence, Puel could play more offensively when the England international is on the pitch as Leicester going forward are a real threat. If Puel was to set up to the attacking strengths of Leicester, the Foxes could prosper from being offensive from the start of the match rather than when they’re behind.
Diogo Jota: Hat-trick hero wins the game
Diogo Jota achieved his first Premier League hat-trick in spectacular fashion, clinching the game for Wolves in the final seconds. The Portuguese 22-year-old more than doubled his goal tally in one game to reach five in 18 appearances this season. He features heavily in the Wolves starting line up and has been involved in eight wins, four draws and six losses this season. He is a key part in Nuno’s tactics. The striker provides width and pace up front and proved today he can change a game. Despite only having one assist this season, he has created four big chances which should have been converted by his teammates.
His finishes in today’s game highlight the type of player he his. He relies heavily on movement providing options for Jimenez which led to his first goal against the Foxes, timing his run to perfection to catch out the defender and get on the end of the cross. His second demanded a great touch to bring down Neves’ ball over the top which Jota chested it down in his stride and venomously struck the ball to beat the keeper. His final goal, and the winner, was a well-placed shot which wrong footed Schmeichel and sealed all three points for Wolves. Jota now needs to bring this consistency to his game to contribute to goals more frequently showing his versatility and he will be a feared forward in the Premier League.
Wolves: Building a fortress
Wolves’ home form this season has left much to be desired. If they established consistency on their home turf, their points tally would be much more impressive. Home form is something the Wolves boss wants to recover and make Molineux a fortress once more. Nuno is desperate for this as it was an integral part of Wolves’ success last season.
Recently, the home form has improved but their home win and loss percentage is 42% each and their points tally have been bolstered because of their impressive away performances this season. However, they have beat the likes of Chelsea and knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup. Today’s result against Leicester will boost the home supporters with confidence as at times it looked Leicester were carrying the momentum to take the lead but they capitalised on poor defending and their clinical finishing to eventually win them the game.
It’s results like the 2-0 defeat against Crystal Palace which will deflate them. They have struggled against teams in the bottom half and have got impressive results against those in the top ten. Nuno is keen to turn that around and the fashion of the victory today may be the signs that Wolves will make Molineux a fortress again.
Man of Match – Diogo Jota
Ruben Neves had a terrific game in the middle of the park but goals win matches. Jota’s hat-trick will be remembered throughout his time at Wolves and it cannot be denied that he was the star player today earning his side a hard-fought three points.
