Embed from Getty Images
Marti Cifuentes had to make a change to his starting line-up, as Jannik Vestergaard was offside. Caleb Okoli was back after being injured for a while.
Leicester couldn’t ask for more. Jordan James scored after just 7 minutes with a well-placed shot from the penalty area.
Leicester retain possession and have a few chances to build on their first goal. There are obviously a few chances for Watford too, and they look dangerous enough to deter a Leicester side that isn’t looking the way they should.
The loss of momentum, the loss of ball contacts and the lack of a clear route to the goal create a mixed feeling. Everything comes to light. The half-time whistle sounds while Watford manages to score with a beautiful finish from Othmane Maamma. Watford are level and score their goal at the perfect time.
It’s hard to see this happening. Players must be focused and on the radar to avoid this at the end of the half. This is again an issue between players and of course management, who do not understand each other.
1-1 half time.
Full time at Filbert Way. #LEIWAT | @bcgame pic.twitter.com/zz6qUjJRPF
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 26, 2025
No changes have been made for the second half and there is a tug-of-war. Leicester had a few soft tries, but nothing really serious, while Watford defended themselves bravely. Then in the 65th minute something happens that shouldn’t happen.
Watford’s Mattie Pollock, assisted by Imrân Louza with a cross from a corner. A header from very close range into the bottom right corner is unstoppable and goes in. Watford are 2-1 up and have turned the tables in their favor.
Marti Cifuentes makes an attempt to solve the case a few minutes later. Jeremy Monga came on in the 69th minute, replacing Stephy Mavididi. Aaron Ramsey came on as a substitute for Bobby De Cordova-Reid in the 75th minute. He also gives a few minutes to Hamza Choudhury and Silko Thomas, both coming on in the 87th minute.
Nothing changes and Leicester is defeated again on their own field. This seems very difficult for Marti Cifuentes as he has no real momentum so far. The team results are inconsistent, like a cat jumping up and down. They are random. The team clearly lacks quality in certain areas to maintain a winning streak. Jannik Vestergaard missed badly today, with him there it could have been different. Marti also seems far from being able to get Jeremy Monga into the right frame. He has difficulty advising players effectively. They lack that little bit extra to score the goals needed to get those three points.
- Positives
- Jordan James scored early in the game
- Jordan Ayew’s work rate is something others should copy
- Negatives
- Not really having the quality to kill a match and get the desired result at home, always a win
- Sometimes you shouldn’t give in when you concede two easy goals
- Jordan James fell again and didn’t have 90 minutes of quality play
- Jacub Stolarczyk doesn’t really show what it takes to be the first choice at Leicester
- Not the force needed to penetrate is also needed to get points on board
Line-up:
Stolarczyk 4, Pereira 5, Thomas 5, Okoli 4, Nelson 5, Skipp 4, James 5, Reid 4, Ayew 6, Mavididi 4, Fatawu 4, Subs: Thomas S, Choudhury, Monga, Ramsey
- Leicester City, man of the match
Match statistics (H/A)
- Ownership: 51/49
- Shots on target: 2 / 3
- Corners: 5 / 6
- Errors: 19 / 25
Related
#Leicester #Watford #positive #negative #points #player #ratings #match #report #championship #match