Yahoo Finance Youri Tielemans scores 25-yard screamer as Brentford pay for profligacy
A beaming Youri Tielemans was the first across to the 1,700 away fans celebrating in the blue corner. The Belgian had just orchestrated a third consecutive victory in what might be a season-defining week for Leicester City.
On his 65th consecutive Premier League appearance – a current outfield record – Tielemans’ spectacular opener was worthy of winning any game. But after Zanka had headed Brentford deservedly level, he had to be content with playing a decisive hand in James Maddison’s winner.
“Sign him on” sang the visiting corner; Tielemans is out of contract in June 2023 and uncertainty lingers. “My focus is on making him the best player he can be,” said Brendan Rodgers.
“His representatives and the club will discuss and negotiate; hopefully they can find a solution. He’s just such a wonderful guy to work with. You never lose sleep over Youri not being ready, or not being prepared, or doing daft things. He’s a young guy very focused on being the best player he can be. His goal today was a sensational strike.”
For the second time in a week, Thomas Frank was left pondering just how his side had finished empty-handed. For all the hearts Brentford are winning, they need a clinical touch to ensure top-tier life does not become uncomfortable: “It’s a game we are winning seven out of ten times,” said Frank.
“We absolutely hammered Leicester first half; that’s a team that came fifth last year. We pressed impressively, we won the ball, we dominated in possession. We created chances; they had nothing besides a moment of luck or brilliance depending on which side of the fence you are on!”
Rodgers on the other hand was delighted with the outcome if not the method. Having thrilled with eight goals in each of their last two games, Leicester spent the first half chasing shadows.
In mitigation, they made a 3,500-mile round trip to Moscow midweek and improved after the break. They do though, remain without a league clean sheet since the opening day.
“Sometimes our freshness was maybe missing a little bit which is understandable,” said Rodgers. “But we had the moments of quality and the mental resilience.”
To say the opener came against the run of play is an understatement; never mind Leicester’s first effort on goal, it was virtually their first touch within 30 yards of it. James Maddison’s floated free-kick was headed clear but, on the follow-up, Tielemans rifled in an unstoppable 25-yard effort.
Previously, Christian Norgaard had forced Kasper Schmeichel into a smart early save, Pontus Jansson unable to direct his close-range header downwards a minute later. Simon Hooper waved away the host’s claims that Schmeichel had committed a foul with his follow-through punch.
Ivan Toney then saw his tap in correctly chalked off from Rico Henry’s cross, and Bryan Mbeumo too should have hit the target after a clever flick on by Toney. How many times will that be said this season?
The goal did nothing to shift the momentum. Leicester struggled for fluency, their midfield generally bypassed in favour of long-balls forward towards the largely ineffective Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho. For all the hosts’ control though, only Toney troubled Schmeichel before the break.
The equaliser came on the hour, Zanka meeting Mathias Jensen’s corner at the front post. Jansson then nodded wide from a corner before Maddison administered the sucker punch.
Tielemans sent substitute Patson Daka – introduced at half-time for Vardy who had picked up an injury in the warm-up – racing through. The Zambian drew David Raya out and squared unselfishly for Maddison to bag his first since February.
