On what was yet another dramatic Boxing Day in the Premier League, we saw Leicester City and Manchester United play out a fascinating 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium. Both sides managed to avoid what would’ve been a heartbreaking defeat, but in the process, you could also argue that they will both feel as if they could’ve claimed all three points.
The Foxes’ tenacity
Leicester City have crumbled in big games both this season and last, but this time around, they refused to go quietly into the night. There are definitely areas in which they can improve but this wasn’t about that – this was about their tenacity in making sure they wouldn’t let United win without a fight. Because of that, they’re going to finish the weekend in third place, and you have to say they deserve to be there based on some of their performances so far this season.
United’s away strength
Manchester United seem to turn into a completely different animal when they’re away from Old Trafford and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can be proud of how he’s been able to turn them into such a force in these games. They have absolutely no dear regardless of the stadium they go to, and that fearless nature is one of the reasons why Manchester United – as a club – is still held in such high regard from the Sir Alex Ferguson days. Now, they just need to try and do the same thing at home.
Title hopes gone?
As of this writing, Manchester United are third favourites to win the Premier League title with Betfair at 12/1. Bizarrely, Leicester are sixth favourites at 35/1, which doesn’t really do justice to either side. Nonetheless there is something to be said about the title ambitions of Leicester and Manchester United and what they want to achieve this season. We have no doubt that they’re going to try and push Liverpool all the way, but the main priority needs to be locking down a consistent place in the top four. If they can do that, then there is no reason to believe they can’t kick on in the years to come.
Match Report
Leicester: Schmeichel (6), Castagne (6.5), Evans (6.5), Fofana (6), Justin (6.5), Tielemans (7.5), Ndidi (7), Barnes (7), Maddison (6.5), Albrighton (6), Vardy (6.5), Perez (6)
Manchester United: de Gea (5.5), Lindelof (6.5), Bailly (6.5), Maguire (6), Shaw (7), McTominay (7), Fred (7.5), James (6), Fernandes (8), Rashford (7), Martial (6.5), Tuanzebe (5), Cavani (7), Pogba (6.5)
Referee: Mike Dean
Goals: Barnes, Tuanzebe OG :: Rashford, Fernandes
Yellow Cards: Ndidi, Maddison, Fernandes
Red Cards: N/A
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