Wolves produced a much more impressive performance at Leicester than they had at home to Everton last week, but still left the King Power Stadium empty-handed as a result of some poor finishing, some moments of tough luck, and because Leicester did have the rub of the green in front of goal.
The opening period of the game saw Wolves produce wave after wave of attacks and after only three minutes Moutinho smacked a 25-yard potshot against the Leicester bar. And in their next attack Wolves should have been ahead after great work from Jiminez took him to the byeline before pulling the back to Doherty who seemed sure to score but his effort was cleared off the line by Chilwell. There were then a series of corners for Wolves before Leicester posed their first serious threat with Gray sent through only to be denied by a perfectly timed challenge by Bennett. Then a real escape for the home team as an effort from Jimenez is pushed onto the bar by Schmeichel with the ball rebounding on to the back of the keeper and deflecting wide.
Completely against the run of play Leicester went ahead on the half hour. A cross from the right by Albrighton took a slight deflection of Coady causing Doherty to send a header firmly into his own net. The home team then played much better after going ahead with Maddison behind most of their attacks and the midfielder put his team two up just before the break with a shot from the edge of the box that deflected past Patricio. Wolves created another chance just before the break but Costa skyed his attempt well over the bar.
Wolves introduced Traore for his debut at the break instead of Costa, and Bonatini replaced Jota. Traore makes an immediate impression crossing for Jiminez who’s first effort is blocked with the follow up going inches wide. Gray went close for Leicester before confusion between Gray and Schmeichel almost let in Jiminez. Midway through the half Leicester went down to ten men. Vardy miscontrolled the ball and in trying to recover he clatters into Doherty with a knee height challenge that led to the wing back needing to be taken off and replaced by Gibbs White.
Traore then rips the defence apart again before setting up Bonatini whose effort is too high, and he again misses the target from a good position when a Traore cross found his head. Wolves were not lying down and a superb dipping shot from Neves brought a fine save from Schmeichel, before Jiminez set up Castro who hit the post from a narrow angle.
Patricio 6 – not a lot to do. Made one good save and could not be faulted for the goals.
Bennett 7 – has made a good start to the season and made one excellent goal-saving tackle on Gray.
Coady 6 – better than last week but inevitably having his defensive ability tested more than last season.
Boly 6 – also much better than last week and look more composed as we are used to seeing.
Doherty 6 – cracking header into the wrong net and missed Wolves best chance before being kicked out of the game by Vardy.
Neves 7 – not at his best yet this season but had one great shot and dominated the midfield once Leicester went down to ten.
Moutinho 6 – unlucky not to score early on and had a tidy game.
Castro 8 – showed what a good signing he could be here with a good performance in defence and attack.
Costa 6 – not sparkled yet in the Premier League and was withdrawn at halftime.
Jiminez 8 – been the pick of the Wolves players so far this season and was a real handful for the home defence here.
Jota 6 – somewhat better than last week and unlucky to be withdrawn at the break.
Traore 8 – looks like he could be a real gem of a signing with his pace and trickery causing all sorts of problems.
Bonatini 4 – had a poor second half and we know he can do better than this.
Gibbs White 5 – an energetic cameo.
Wolves will play a lot worse than this and win. Hit the Leicester woodwork three times, had a couple kicked off the line and brought some good saves out of Schmeichel. Missed three or four good chances as well though. At the other end Leicester scored with an own goal and a deflection and the rub of the green was with the home team on the day. Traore will make a difference and we have yet to see Dendoncker. But the next match at home to Man City doesn’t look very easy! There were far more positives than negatives from this performance though and if they can maintain this standard the results will certainly come.
Writer: DJWolves
