Leicester City are determined to regain their Premier League status by the end of the season, and their ambition is justified. Alongside Leeds United and Southampton, the Foxes were unexpectedly relegated from the top-flight last year, despite their recent success in European competition and their close proximity to the elite of English football.
Promotion is not only their expectation but also their goal, and under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, Leicester has built a squad capable of competing at the top end of the table throughout the season. They have undergone significant player changes during the off-season to ensure they are prepared for the challenge.
The word “promotion” is on the lips of Leicester fans, a feat they last achieved in the impressive 2013/14 campaign when they became league champions with a remarkable 102 points, finishing ahead of second-placed Burnley. Can their current start to the season replicate that success?
Let’s analyze how Leicester’s performances at the beginning of this season compare to their return to the Premier League in 2014.
Nigel Pearson’s team started the season with a narrow 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. They were unable to continue their winning streak as they were held to a goalless draw against Leeds at home. However, Leicester quickly returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory against East Midlands rivals Derby County, followed by a dramatic 3-2 triumph against Birmingham City.
But in late August, Leicester suffered an unexpected defeat when they faced winless Charlton Athletic. Former-Foxes Michael Morrison and Yann Kermorgant scored to secure a 2-1 victory for Charlton. Despite this setback, Leicester found themselves in fifth place after those first five games. Their season truly took off after the international break.
Leicester continued their winning streak with a 2-1 victory over Coventry City in the M69 Derby, thanks to a double from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. They carried this momentum into subsequent matches against Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City, claiming 1-0 and 2-1 victories, respectively. In their next trip to Yorkshire, young talent Kasey McAteer scored twice to secure a 2-1 win against Rotherham United.
However, their perfect start came to an abrupt end with a surprising 1-0 defeat at home to Hull City. Despite this setback, Leicester’s start to the season bodes well for their future. They are two points and two positions higher than they were at the same stage of their previous promotion-winning campaign, ten years ago.
Leicester fans should be optimistic about the team’s prospects for the rest of the season.
