Heskey brace inspires comeback win over Leicester

Manchester City F.C.

·8 April 2024

Heskey brace inspires comeback win over Leicester

Substitute Jaden Heskey bagged a second half brace to help City's Elite Development Squad beat Leicester City in our latest Premier League 2 clash.

It was the hosts who found the back of the net first after Leicester forward Chris Popov broke the deadlock with their first bout of possession in the 26th minute.

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But Micah Hamilton refused to see City trail at the break and his close-range effort meant the score was tied on the brink of half-time.

The second half was changed drastically by the substitutes Brian Barry-Murphy brought on. A fresh burst of energy from Kian Breckin, Heskey and Stephen Mfuni left Leicester scrambling to defend as Heskey's two goals saw City pull off a thrilling comeback in a spirited, end-to-end match-up.

WHAT HAPPENED

A cold and chilly breeze engulfed the Leicester City Training Ground as it played host to City’s penultimate away game of the 2023/24 campaign.

Brian Barry-Murphy’s side, looking to end the season as strong as possible, came out the blocks the quickest after Joel Ndala fired a warning strike which was denied by the post 10 minutes in.

In typical City fashion the boys in blue looked to dominate possession or apply a high press and regain the ball in the opposition’s half.

As time passed, however, Leicester began to grow into the game and looked dangerous on the break.

A short stint of possession was all the Foxes needed as Chris Popov converted from close range with Leicester’s second shot on target on 26 minutes.

City looked to retaliate quickly but all Josh Adam’s effort could do was ruffle the side netting eight minutes later.

The intensity of both teams couldn’t be faulted. After City failed to test Leicester keeper Brad Young, the hosts instantly charged up into our half and were on the attack once again.

A free-kick for Leicester on the edge of the box saw the training ground go quiet in anticipation and the set piece was met with surprising gasps as the effort rattled the City crossbar before bouncing away from goal.

On the brink of half-time City captain Micah Hamilton led by example and drew us level in the final attack of the opening 45 minutes.

His thumping right-footed effort from the edge of the six-yard box was too much for Young to stop, a worthy equaliser after City’s determination to find a goal of our own.

A trio of substitutes at the interval saw Jaden Heskey, Kian Breckin and Stephen Mfuni replace Tai Sodje, Isaac Smith and Tom Galvez with the mission to inject some fresh energy into the team after a draining opening 45 minutes.

It was Ndala again who started the brightest as his shot flashed just wide of the Leicester goal. At the other end moments later it was Popov again causing trouble for City’s defensive line as his shot went out for a corner which the hosts could not convert.

On 53 minutes City’s players were calling for a penalty after Michael Okeke was brought down inside the box but no spot kick was given.

Leicester looked to take the lead again but resolute defending saw back-to-back shots blocked before City were called into action to deny a goal from a corner.

And with the snap of your fingers Barry-Murphy’s side were instantly at the opposite end of the pitch and substitute Jaden Heskey stunned the hosts as his shot fired into the top left corner on 62 minutes.

Another free-kick for Leicester gave saw Grant called into action. An unbelievable diving save saw the City keeper deny the hosts an equaliser that looked destined to settle into the top corner five minutes later.

Then, with just 20 minutes left to play, Heskey scored his second to extend City’s lead. He headed home Kane Taylor’s corner kick to help settle any nerves City might have had with just the one goal advantage.

For the fans watching in the pouring rain, their necks must have been sore from constantly turning their heads to each other of the pitch as both teams demanded the best out of each other in a tight affair.

The intensity was palpable as City fought tooth and nail to hold onto our lead for the final 10 minutes while the hosts looked for inspiration for a late comeback of their own.

But the gap was too big for Leicester to make up as City held out for our third win of the season.

HOW WE LINED UP

True Grant was deployed between the sticks and was protected by a back four of Michael Okeke, Isaac Smith, Jahmai-Simpson Pusey and Tom Galvez.

In City’s engine room, Kane Taylor proved to be a sturdy anchor with Josh Adam and Nico O’Reilly in support.

Tai Sodje led our attacking line while skipper Micah Hamilton and Joel Ndala added relentless attacking options out wide.

Leicester City XI | Young, Cover, Wormleighton, Raikhy, Lindsay, Braybrooke, Marcal-Madivadua, Cartwright, Popov (Richards 68’), Alves (Briggs 46’), Thomas

Unused subs | Ali, Doherty, Joseph

City XI | Grant, Okeke, Smith (Mfuni 46’), Simpson-Pusey, Galvez (Breckin 46’), Taylor, Hamilton ©, O’Reilly, Sodje (Heskey 46’), Adam, Ndala (Tibidi 86’)

Unused subs | Brits