After the 5-0 win against Southampton, Leicester has promotion to the Premier League in sight. A loanee from Sporting Lisbon scored a hat-trick.
Goal scorers among themselves: veteran Jamie Vardy (right) with youngster Abdul Fatawu, who scored three times against Southampton. IMAGO/Shutterstock
Leicester City has overcome its short period of weakness in time and is about to return to the Premier League. The relegated team from the previous season celebrated a 5-0 win in the catch-up game against fourth-placed Southampton FC on Tuesday evening, which practically squandered its chances of direct promotion and has to plan for the play-offs.
Abdul Fatawu, a 20-year-old Ghanaian international who had scored three times in his other 37 Championship appearances this season, bagged a hat-trick on a memorable evening for him. In the 25th minute, the right winger, who is on loan from Sporting Lisbon until the end of the season, gave the Foxes a deserved lead at the break, which Wilfred Ndidi headed to make it 2-0 after around an hour.
Then Fatawu beautifully flicked the ball into the far corner with his left to make it 3-0 (75′), set up striker Jamie Vardy’s 18th goal of the season to make it 4-0 (79′) and again used his preparatory work to make it 5-0 (81′). . When he was substituted six minutes later, the man of the evening was finally able to celebrate.
Leicester just need a win – or Leeds’ defeat on Friday
Leicester, who recently suffered four defeats in six games, now need just one win from their remaining two games at Preston North End on Monday and against Blackburn Rovers five days later to secure promotion. If pursuers Leeds United, led by coach Daniel Farke, lose at Queens Park Rangers on Friday, their return to the Premier League would be premature. In addition to Leeds (90 points), newcomers Ipswich Town (89 points, one game less) also have their sights set on the direct promotion places.
“We need one more win, then the job is done,” cheered Leicester coach Enzo Maresca, who didn’t want to be blinded by the 5-0 win: “It wasn’t our best performance today, but we took advantage of our chances.”
Leicester is threatened with a point deduction for the new season
It is already clear that Leicester would have a difficult year in the Premier League. Due to massive financial losses, there is a point deduction at the start – even if we stay in the championship. A transfer ban was also imposed on the 2016 champions, which means they can only carry out transfers and contract extensions with the consent of the English Football League (EFL). The Foxes are still resisting the sanctions.