Rotherham United vs Leicester City. Sky Bet Championship.
New York StadiumAttendance11,418.
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Rotherham United and Leicester City at the New York Stadium as the Foxes made it four wins from four this season in the Championship.
Saturday 26 August 2023 18:22, UK
Leicester left it late to preserve their 100 per cent start to the season with a 2-1 win at Rotherham.
It had been a spirited display from the Millers but Kasey McAteer's double proved enough for Enzo Maresca's side, who snatched maximum points with seven minutes left to play.
Rotherham thought they had taken a ninth-minute lead when Jordan Hugill flicked in Cafu's wicked corner but referee Simon Hooper ruled it out after consulting his assistant.
Leicester were instead celebrating in the 12th minute when Kelechi Iheanacho delivered to the back post for McAteer to nod beyond goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.
Only a solid tackle from Tyler Blackett denied Leicester a second when Stephy Mavididi threatened.
Fred Onyedinma's cross then found Cafu but his looping header back across goal went over the Leicester crossbar.
Rotherham again caused trouble down the right and Ollie Rathbone's deflected cross had to be clawed away from trouble by Mads Hermansen.
Ricardo Pereira then tested Johansson with a powerful strike from range but the former Foxes goalkeeper managed to keep hold of it.
Leicester launched a counter-attack just before the break, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall setting Mavididi through down the left but he took the effort on his right foot and it was gathered by Johansson.
The home side made a positive start to the second half with Andre Green rising highest from Cafu's corner but his effort was off target.
They made the pressure count after 53 minutes when Green crossed for Onyedinma, whose flicked header snuck in at the far post.
Rotherham were restricting the visitors to shots from distance, with Wout Faes being denied by a block and Callum Doyle firing over.
A more intricate move led to a shot from Mavididi but it was held by Johansson.
Substitute Jamie Vardy was lurking in search of a winner and had a great opportunity from Dewsbury-Hall's centre but Blackett got in the way. Cesare Casadei then headed straight at Johansson in the aftermath.
The winner came after 83 minutes. Doyle picked out McAteer who took the ball onto his left boot and curled an effort into the far corner.
Rotherham could have levelled again but substitute Tom Eaves could not head in Dexter Lembikisa's cross from close range.
Rotherham's Matt Taylor:
"We're in a little bit of pain right now. Bar the first 45 minutes at Stoke we have competed and showed signs of being a really good team, but not picked up the points we deserved. We more than matched one of the best teams in the league. They just had a little bit more on the pitch and the bench.
"People spoke about what it was in terms of the levels of the opposition but it's irrelevant - we have to be where we need to be and that is a front foot team. The players put everything into it, I just wish I could help them a little bit more."
Leicester's Enzo Maresca:
"I was very happy with [McAteer], for the two goals but also the way he works off the ball. He helps a lot. He is working the right way and he helps us out. I'm happy for him and the academy.
"I really like him, not just because he scored. I like the way he works and he sacrifices. He helps a lot without the ball. He is an important player. It was a very good performance. They score many goals from set-pieces, the delivery from Cafu is unbelievable. I think we were very good defensively. We fought in the right way."
