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United States Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall pulls strings for Leicester against Randers but injuries a worry for Brendan Rodgers
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Leicester take a big lead into the second leg next week after a vibrant display at the King Power.
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Ndidi, Barnes, Daka and Dewsbury-Hall all on the scoresheet.
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Fitness concerns after Maddison and Soyuncu were forced off.
After confessing two months ago that he knew little about the Europa Conference League, Brendan Rodgers is acutely aware how important it is now.
This competition represents an opportunity to rescue a difficult season and Leicester are closing in on the round of 16 after a comfortable victory over Randers in the first leg.
It was only Leicester’s first win in six matches, but a sorely needed boost for Rodgers after a chastening few weeks in which he has felt compelled to defend his record at the Midlands club.
The only concern for Rodgers occurred late on with the withdrawal of substitute James Maddison, who dropped to the floor and appeared to be clutching his chest, struggling with breathing problems.
Players were clearly anxious as medical staff checked Maddison’s pulse before he was substituted, though the midfielder did walk down the tunnel to the medical room without any assistance.
Rodgers said: “I’ve spoken to him and he wasn’t feeling well during the game. We didn’t want to take any risks with that, so we took him off. He is in with the medics and he feels fine.
“Our goal for the remainder of the season is to finish as high as we can in the league, to keep developing, improving and to get players back. We want to finish as strong as we can and bring that into the following season. In this competition, everyone is in it to win it and we are no different."
The second leg in Denmark next week should be a formality, as Rodgers looks to salvage the campaign.
Their defence of the FA Cup disintegrated earlier this month and hopes of European excursions next season arguably rest on winning Uefa’s third club competition.
Randers had not played competitively since December 12 after the Danish season’s winter break, and it ultimately proved the difference as the home team scored three second-half goals.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the Leicester midfielder, continues to enhance his reputation and secured the fourth goal to reward his impressive performance.
“I am a kid playing for his boyhood club, and it’s a dream come true,” he said. “Every minute I spend on the pitch I will give the best I can because I am proud to play for this club. We know this is a great opportunity to secure European football again. We go into this tournament pushing ourselves as hard as we can to win it."
Rodgers is adamant that a difficult campaign could still have a memorable end, and Leicester's early pressure was finally rewarded in the 23rd minute.
Wilfred Ndidi, making his 200th appearance for the club, was found in the area by Ademola Lookman and he side-footed his shot across Patrik Carlgren into the corner, with the aid of a slight deflection.
Leicester were now dominant, with winger Harvey Barnes a constant threat with his pace and direct running.
Dewsbury-Hall almost added a second goal after cleverly finding space in the box, but his low shot was pushed away by Carlgren.
From the following corner, Daniel Amartey produced an astonishing miss from two yards out, heading wide after Carlgren had saved Caglar Soyuncu’s volley.
It was a miss which was ruthlessly punished by Randers. Out of nowhere, they equalised on the stroke of half-time through Vito Hammershoy-Mistrati, with the forward unmarked to sweep home Tosin Kehinde’s cross.
Rodgers stood motionless in the technical area as Randers's players celebrated, with Leicester's defence once again exposed.
The mood could have turned ugly but Leicester were ahead four minutes into the second-half. Though Randers substitute Oliver Bundgaard succeeded in taking the ball off Lookman in the area, it presented Barnes with an easy finish, turning quickly to find the empty net with Carlgren off his line.
Leicester added a third goal in the 54th minute, with Patson Daka converting from six yards after Carlgren saved from Youri Tielemans.
Dewsbury-Hall picked up the goal he deserved late on, applying the finishing touch after Kelechi Iheanacho and Lookman combined.
Match detailsLeicester (4-3-3): Schmeichel 6; Amartey 6, Vestergaard 6, Soyuncu 7, Albrighton 6; Tielemans 7, Ndidi 6 (Maddison 64, Choudhury 83), Dewsbury-Hall 8 (Soumare 83); Lookman 7, Daka 6 (Iheanacho 64), Barnes 7 (Perez 83). Substitutes Ward (g), Jakupovic (g), Ewing.
Randers (4-4-2): Carlgren 7; Kallese 5, Graves 5, Piesinger 6, Kopplin 5; Kehinde 7 (Klysner 77), Johnsen 4, Lauenborg 5 (Tibbling 65), Ankersen 6 (O Bundgaard half-time); Kamara 6 (Brock-Madsen 65), Hammershoj-Mistrati. Substitutes Nybo (g), Dakir (g), M Andersson, H Andersson, Enggard, Lauridsen, Klysner, F Bundgaard.
Referee: Radu Marian Petrescu (Romania)
Thanks for joining us as always. Leicester probably have one foot in the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League now.
All over at the King Power and Leicester will take a healthy lead to Denmark next week.
After the shock of conceded before the break, three goals in the second half and an improved display helped them to victory.
Leicester might be down to 10 men but they are still pushing for a fifth goal. Some confidence has been restored today.
Another problem for Leicester as Soyuncu goes down with a knee issue having landed awkwardly after an aerial challenge.
Five minutes added on.
Another Randers change - Hammershoj Mistrati off, Enggard on
Maddison walks off but doesn't look in the best of shape. Choudhury replaces him, Perez comes on Barnes, Soumare takes the place of Dewsbury-Hall, who has been very good tonight.
Problem for Leicester with Maddison laying flat on his back in the Randers half. He's receiving treatment.
Kehinde off and Klysner on for Randers.
Dewsbury-Hall finally gets his goal. Lookman is realeased by Iheanacho. The winger gets by his man and cuts the ball back to the unmarked Dewsbury-Hall, who finishes coolly.
Randers are starting to look a little tired. They've been on a winter break and this is their first competitive fixture in several weeks.
No Var in this competition and Randers will count themselves unlucky as replays seem to show Daka was offside for his goal.
Leicester subs - Maddison and Iheanacho on, Daka and Ndidi off.
Randers subs - Lauenborg and Kamara off, Tibbling and Brock-Madsen on.
Looks like Maddison and Iheanacho could be coming on soon.
Fine save by Carlgren to deny Lookman. Leicester are going through the gears now.
Leicester think they have a third when Daka taps in a rebound after Tielemans' shot is saved.
There's a slight delay but the goal is confirmed. Two goals in eight minutes.
A mix up in the Randers box and Barnes restored Leicester's lead. Lookman gets into the box, Carlgren can't claim the ball and it deflects to Barnes, who shoots into the empty net.
First shot of the half goes to Daka after the ball kindly falls to his feet but he shoots straight at Carlgren.
We're back underway. Leicester will want to be more clinical in this half. Meanwhile Ankersen off, Bundgaard on for Randers.
Brendan Rodgers will be livid at how his side have conceded yet again but Randers have been decent and deserve their goal.
No clean sheet for Leicester again. Albrighton slips and Randers take advantage. Mistrati opens his body up and side foots pasts Schmeichel.
One minute added on.
Carlgren is there again to deny Dewsbury-Hall for the third time.
Tielemans angles a lovely pass to the onrushing Dewsbury-Hall. The midfielder's first touch is good and his shot is on target by Carlgren stretches out a boot to deny him again.
From the resulting corner, the ball comes to Soyuncu at the far post, he lashes a shot at goal that is saved again by Carlgren. But from the rebound, Amartey can't direct the ball on target.
Nice move by Leicester. Lookman finds Daka but the striker shoots so wide, it goes for a corner. Ooops.
Barnes can't keep his shot down as he tries to whip a shot into the top corner. He's been the best player on the pitch so far.
Good covering by Ndidi to stop a Randers counter attack. The Danish side aren't out of the game just yet.
Lookman and Barnes are causing havoc in the wide areas for Leicester.
A driving run by Barnes. He's so fast and direct. He gets a shot away and Carlgren parries the shot away from danger.
Deadlock broken. A Leicester corner is cleared, but they recycle the ball well and Lookman gets to the byline and cuts the ball back for Ndidi to fire in via a deflection.
Randers are growing in confidence on the ball and starting to string a few passes together. But you get the sense Leicester will break them down sooner rather than later.
Dewsbury-Hall chance missed. Lookman gets down the right, cuts the ball back and Dewsbury-Hall hits it first time but is denied by the foot of goalkeeper Carlgren.
Terrific cross by Tielemans from the right into the danger area, Daka gets across his man and flicks a header towards goal but the ball flies over.
If he got it on target, it's a goal because the keeper was in no mans land.
Kehinde has the first shot on target of the match as he drives forward and shoots straght at Schmeichel.
Leicester get themselves into a muddle at the back after a poor pass by Schmeichel. Individual mistakes have cost them dearly in recent weeks.
As expected the hosts are dominating the early stages with Barnes looking lively already.
Randers get the match underway.
...the two sides walk onto the field. The King Power is pretty full considering the status of the tournament.
I've never really been one where my mood shifts based on what other people write or say. I'm experienced enough to regulate whatever pressure there is.
If I'm reading my local paper and it's putting out polls to say whether I should be staying or not, then of course that might affect me, but I stay calm, stay in control.
I love working with the players and people here and that's all I will continue to do, with a smile, until someone tells me differently.
If they do, I'll have done my very best with the resources I have and then I'll move on. But until then I have a big energy for the team, for the club and for my contract here.
De startende 11 for Randers FC i Leicester ⚽️
