Blackburn Rovers 1 Leicester City 4: And you can bring your dinner
It wasn’t exactly a lunchtime stroll for Leicester City at Ewood Park but a couple of late goals put some gloss on the scoreline and the flying Foxes went back to the top - Iain Wright gathered his family to watch.
High noon on Sunday saw the Foxes bandwagon roll into Blackburn. A midday kick off meant an early start for the 3,000+ fans making the trip to Ewood Park.
It's also a tricky timeslot for those of us watching at home. Despite the game being scheduled for a while, according to my wife the lunchtime kick off had "wrecked the day" no less!
Regardless, we settled down as a family to watch it and my mind was taken back to those days when all games were televised with matches behind closed doors. We watched many a game all together back then and I definitely credit that period with how I got my eldest (8) so hooked on LCFC.
So, there we all were settled in the front room, the roast beef in the oven and rain starting to pitter-patter on the window. Wrecked the day? I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.
From Enzoball to basketball
A chaotic start to the game saw us almost instantly take the lead. As the celebrations died down my wife pointed out that it probably was back in Covid times that we last scored from a corner, which, to give her her due, feels about right.
I was just saying to the family how reassuring it is to have an excellent goalkeeper these days when Mads Hermansen used his passing range to pick out a Blackburn forward which allowed Sammie Szmodics to equalise for Rovers.
After that there was a hectic, almost basketball-like feel to the game. Both sides looked like scoring and Enzo was visibly displeased on the sidelines. However, normal service was resumed when Jamie Vardy rolled back the years and lashed a volley into the roof of the net following some (now typically!) excellent work from Wilfred Ndidi.
This was the cue for my youngest (5) to celebrate by trying to do a headstand on the sofa, which nearly led to a trip to A&E. As the game settled down, the Foxes started to keep possession with a bit more ease and with that sense of security, my wife checked on the beef as we led 2-1 at half time.
I missed the half-time analysis prepping the vegetables and texting my dad and my cousin, the theme being that we look dangerous on the counter but Blackburn's press is a concern. My daughter said the half time programme was Big Wes and some other blokes talking, followed by loads of adverts (standard). I finished prepping the vegetables in time for the second half to begin, with the home side now on top.
Digging in
Although it'd be nice to have games like last week’s against Bristol City, where we were in total control, football, and the Championship especially, isn't like that and we had to dig in defensively.
It's one of the features of this season that has gone under the radar a little, but this Leicester side is very good defensively with Jannik Vestergaard getting better by the game - he'll actually be a big loss on Wednesday as he takes his punishment for his 5th booking.
I know it's a lower level but I've really enjoyed and found refreshing how we can roll our sleeves up and dig in when we need to, as was the case here. Hermansen made an excellent save, redeeming himself with his teammates and for my credibility with the family, before once again the Foxes took control. The fans were in great voice as Straight Back Up, Straight Back Up, Leicester City came through loud and clear on the soundbar.
As the smell of our roast dinner slowly spread through the house and the commentator regaled us with memories of Franck Rolling, the subs made by Enzo really refreshed the team and kept the energy levels high. You could argue the quality of the team went up too, which is a massive step forward and will stand us in good stead for the remaining games.
Just as we were hitting top gear though, Kasey McAteer's hamstring went, which is desperately unlucky for him and a real blow for the team going into the next few weeks. Simple WhatsApp of McAteer and face palm emoji from my mate. Crying emoji sent in reply.
KDH time
Cesare Casadei came on and showed a few nice touches, although it's clear we need to be patient with him as he makes the leap into first team football. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall looked like he'd won the lottery by being asked to play in a more advanced role and gradually we asserted more control.
With us in the ascendancy but the game still in the balance, Blackburn decided to help us out by giving away a daft penalty.
My youngest: Is it a penalty Daddy? Yes. To us? Yes. A penalty? Yes. Have we got a penalty? Yes mate, just sit down and watch it. Kelechi Iheanacho dispatches, game over. Get down off that sofa, I've already told you once!
The quality and confidence we now have means that rather than sitting on 3-1, we go for the jugular and KDH, still not believing his luck at getting to play further forward, finishes a flowing move with aplomb to make it 4-1.
"Top of the league" shouts my eldest. We certainly are. Now go and wash your hands, your dinner’s ready!
