Carabao Cup 2017/18 - Leicester City 1-1(3-4) Manchester City: 5 Talking Points

#3 Leicester should have started Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy

The game could've gone differently if these two had started

If anyone is in the perfect position to take the Carabao Cup seriously, it is Leicester. The Foxes’ great form in the Premier League since Claude Puel’s arrival has eased any fears of a relegation battle and they are now secure in mid-table; even the defeat to Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium couldn’t move them from the eighth position.

But Puel’s team selection puzzled, particularly in attack. Giving Iheanacho a start against his former club was understandable, and the Nigeria international didn’t do too badly. Without Vardy, though, there wasn’t enough penetration of City’s high defensive line, giving centre backs Adarabioyo and Eliaquim Mangala an easier ride than they needed.

Ben Chilwell and Marc Albrighton were able to get crosses in, but the second half introductions of Vardy and Mahrez, along with Damarai Gray, the three chief creators under Puel, woke the home side up.

Suddenly, Zinchenko wasn’t able to get into midfield to outnumber Leicester and the fact that he was playing out of position showed against Mahrez. Vardy broke through the defence and linked up with his partner in crime and created panic for the visitors at the back.

The penalty may have been harsh, but Vardy, Mahrez, and the man fouled, Gray, had taken Leicester to the next level as they have done for weeks.