Leicester City vs Watford. Premier League.
The King Power StadiumAttendance31,353.
Highlights and report as Etienne Capoue was sent off for Watford
Saturday 1 December 2018 19:40, UK
Jamie Vardy and James Maddison's first-half goals gave Leicester a 2-0 win over Watford in the Premier League on Saturday, as the visitors winless run extended to four games.
Vardy put the hosts ahead at the King Power Stadium with a penalty after 12 minutes, his third successful effort from the spot this week, after being brought down by Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster.
Maddison netted a wonderful second 11 minutes later, while Watford were wasteful in front of goal and have now scored just once in their last four Premier League outings.
Their afternoon got worse in the 90th minute when Etienne Capoue saw a straight red card after a studs-up challenge on Kelechi Iheanacho, with Watford now slipping down a place into 10th while Leicester have moved up to seventh.
Leicester were awarded a penalty early on as Vardy had his legs swiped out from underneath him by goalkeeper Foster. He pleaded his case with referee Graham Scott but the penalty stood, which Vardy dispatched with aplomb to put the hosts ahead.
A vintage Leicester counter-attack then resulted in them extending their lead. Marc Albrighton strode down the right-hand side before picking out Maddison with a lofted cross. The midfielder took three touches to take the ball around Adrian Mariappa before sweeping home past Foster, who was left rooted to the spot.
Leicester could have added another in the 35th minute, but Demarai Gray's shot from 25 yards whistled past the post, taking a nick on the way through for a Leicester corner. It was Watford who then hit their hosts with a counter-attack after clearing the set-piece, but Isaac Success' attempt to chip over the oncoming Kasper Schmeichel went high over the crossbar.
Watford twice went close not long after the restart. Ricardo Pereira got ahead of Success to put a Gerard Deulofeu cross into the hands of Schmeichel. The goalkeeper collected the ball again not long after, with Deulofeu picking out Roberto Pereyra but his sweeping strike was straight at Schmeichel.
Leicester's best chance of a half came in the 58th minute as Pereira slipped in Gray down the right of the box but the winger's thunderous strike on a tight angle smashed the crossbar before going out for a throw-in.
The visitors ended the game with ten men as Capoue was given a straight red card in the final minute of normal time. He launched into a two-footed challenge on Iheanacho with his studs showing, although he did get the ball as the Leicester striker went over. But as Capoue got to his feet, referee Scott sent him off, meaning he will now miss the next three domestic fixtures.
Claude Puel: "It was a home game and our last game at home was not enough to score and to have the good result against Burnley. It was important with the support from our fans to give them this joy, to manage our game and to win.
"It was a tough game against a strong team with quality and a direct style. To perform against this team is fantastic but it is just three points and I hope we can continue this journey."
Javi Gracia: "We have been unlucky in the last few games. I prefer to keep my opinion, everyone can see what happened. That play was in front of me, I could see clearly, but it is not important what I saw. It is important that Leicester's player Iheancho said Capoue didn't touch him and then I don't say anything else.
"Yes [it is frustrating] but I think the best way is to try to improve our games, improve our performances and in the future, we will get better results."
It was a wonderful strike from Maddison as he truly redeemed himself after being sent off against Brighton last weekend, showing some wonderful skill to get around the Watford defence competed with a confident finish for his fourth goal of the season.
He continued to show his attacking intent throughout the game, linking up brilliantly well with Vardy, and contributed well in the second half when Leicester did not see as much of the ball.
The Premier League games come thick and fast, and both are in midweek action. Leicester make the trip to London to face Fulham on Wednesday while Watford welcome Manchester City on Tuesday.
