Abdul Fatawu scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner to give Leicester City a hard-fought Championship victory over a dominant West Bromwich Albion side. The thrilling finish came on a night marked by freezing temperatures and widespread fan protests at the King Power Stadium, leaving many seats empty.
Jordan Ayew Opens the Scoring for Leicester
Despite the tension surrounding the match, the Foxes supporters in attendance had early reasons to cheer. Jordan Ayew linked up brilliantly with Jordan James in the box to slot home Leicester’s opener from eight yards out. The move highlighted Leicester’s attacking cohesion, giving fans a glimpse of the football manager Marti Cifuentes wants to build.
West Brom Respond with Karlan Grant Equaliser
West Brom, resilient on the counter, responded before halftime. Karlan Grant raced into space on a fast break and curled the ball into the bottom corner, restoring parity and setting the stage for a tense second half dominated by the visitors.
The Baggies created multiple chances, including a deflected effort from Isaac Price that struck the post, but Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk produced a man-of-the-match performance to keep his side in contention.
Fatawu’s Last-Gasp Winner
Just when it seemed the game would end in a draw, Fatawu produced a moment of brilliance in stoppage time. Receiving a precise cross from Stephy Mavididi, he fired a 15-yard volley into the back of the net, securing all three points for the Foxes.
The late goal was the culmination of a fantastic team move, involving quick one-touch play between Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Fatawu, and James, and it came against the run of play, underlining Leicester’s resilience in a challenging encounter.
Managerial Pressure Remains
Despite the victory, pressure remains on both managers. Leicester boss Marti Cifuentes, in his first season after leaving QPR, continues to face scrutiny following a run of inconsistent results, including just one win from four matches prior to this game.
West Brom manager Ryan Mason, 34, also faces criticism as his team suffered their 10th successive away defeat. The loss leaves West Brom in 18th place, six points behind Leicester, and Mason admitted post-match that he is aware of the precariousness of his position.
Fan Boycotts Highlight Discontent
Off the pitch, Leicester fans expressed dissatisfaction with club ownership. Many boycotted the match in protest at how owner Khun Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha has handled the club in recent years. The silent stand-out was the nearly empty stands at the 32,000-capacity King Power Stadium, sending a clear message of growing supporter unrest.
Cifuentes addressed the situation after the game, saying:
“For those who didn’t come, I fully respect what their thoughts are. I hope we can produce much better performances and results so they are encouraged to come.”
Key Match Statistics
- Man of the Match: Jakub Stolarczyk (Leicester City) – 7.17 average rating
- Other standout performers: Jordan James (6.84), Abdul Fatawu (6.16), Ben Nelson (5.77)
- Leicester’s 94th-minute goal secured a much-needed three points in a season of mixed results.
Championship Implications
Leicester’s victory moves them ahead of West Brom in the table and keeps the fight for mid-table stability alive. Both teams will need to address weaknesses exposed during the match: defensive lapses for Leicester and finishing inefficiency for West Brom.
With the Championship season underway, upcoming fixtures will be crucial for both Marti Cifuentes and Ryan Mason as they aim to stabilize their squads and respond to mounting pressure from fans and ownership alike.
Leave a Reply