BEVERLY HILLS, November 05, (THEWILL) – Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho scored twice as Leicester City moved clear at the top of their Europa League group with an emphatic 4-0 home win over Braga.
Starting ahead of English striker Jamie Vardy, the Nigerian produced a fine individual performance, netting in either half and setting up substitute Dennis Praet for the third.
In dipping temperatures of Leicester City, at the King Power Stadium, both sides took time to warm up, leading to a scrappy opening 15 minutes.
The cold must have enhanced the pain of the knee-to-the-thigh Maddison received early on during a challenge with Ali Musrati, the Libyan central midfielder for Braga.
The Englishman was seen limping as he attempted to run off that blow. However, he looked to be moving well enough by the time he played a beautifully weighted one-two to release Iheanacho in behind.
The striker still had plenty to do from a tight angle, but bundled past Brazilian keeper Matheus with a degree of good fortune before tapping into an empty net.
Braga responded well, with Bruno Viana heading on target before a well-timed Hamza Choudhury slide stopped Abel Ruiz latching onto a delicious Ricardo Esgaio cross at the back post.
Their failure to capitalise on these chances was punished moments after the restart. Iheanacho grabbed his second with a deflected effort from range.
Iheanacho turned provider with just over 20 minutes remaining. He delivered an inch-perfect cross to give Belgian midfielder Dennis Praet a tap-in at the back post.
His reward for that contribution was an early withdrawal, with Brendan Rodgers making the most of generous substitution rules in Europe to give his tiring players a rest.
The hosts did not take their foot off the gas, however, and found a way to add another goal. Maddison grabbed a deserved one 12 minutes from time, when he jinked through the Braga defence to poke home.
Two goals and an assist provide enough evidence of the quality of Iheanacho’s performance, and there was plenty more to admire. The 24-year-old completed 100% of his passes, made three key passes, and took four shots in a perfect centre-forward’s showing.
Leicester return to Premier League action on Sunday when they host Wolves at the King Power. Braga, meanwhile, face a trip to second-placed Benfica in the Portuguese top-flight.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
