A brace from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall got Leicester City off to a flying start in the Championship as the Foxes came from behind to defeat Coventry City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Foxes had largely been second best in the contest but the quality of their individual players came through to get them up and running in the second tier. Many have tipped Dewsbury-Hall to be the division’s player of the season and the midfielder has shown why by netting the first brace of his career.
The first half was an interesting battle. Both teams were knocking the ball around nicely to show the rest of the division just what to expect of them this year. Of course we are more than familiar with how Coventry operate given that Mark Robins is one of the longest-serving managers in the Football League.
Many have been doubtful of the Sky Blues orchestrating another magnificent play-off campaign this year given that they have lost star forward Viktor Gyokeres and the Championship has been made tougher by the sides coming down from the Premier League and those coming up from League One.
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Their biggest asset is Brazilian midfield maestro Gustavo Hamer. Question marks remain over his future at Coventry but if he stays, that only bolsters the Sky Blues’ credentials for another top-six push. Hamer, along with Ben Sheaf, helped to match up Leicester’s frightening midfield of Wilfred Ndidi, Harry Winks and Dewsbury-Hall.
Kyle McFadzean headed home the opener early in the second half and Coventry controlled the game for a large portion of the second period but once Leicester got their equaliser, the momentum shifted. Leicester were suddenly winning the midfield battle and we got a glimpse of the control we are likely to see on a consistent basis as the season goes on.
Leicester will perhaps feel that this was the perfect game to kick off their campaign because of just how sharp Coventry are. It will show them just how good they will have to be to secure promotion this year. Enzo Maresca’s men were largely suppressed in the second half but a moment of quality in substitute Dennis Praet’s delivery for Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser showed just how much strength in depth the Foxes have this year. And his second was even better with a delightful finish into the top corner to complete the turnaround.
The comeback showed great character for a side that lacked it greatly in the Premier League last term and the fans will be glad to see a victory of this manner happen so early in the campaign - especially against one of the better sides in the league.
Coventry will feel aggrieved to not come away with a share of the spoils but they certainly gave a good indication that they are going to be just as strong this year. Robins’ players are so well-drilled they are perfectly balanced in and out of possession. This allowed them to dictate play for much of the second half and you can’t imagine many sides being able to do that against Leicester in 2023-24.
Their new-look back line looks to be just as strong as it was last year with McFadzean, and debutantes Joel Latibeaudiere and Bobby Thomas. They collectively limited Leicester City’s exciting attack to a few chances. There’s not forgetting the bright wing-backs of Jay Dasilva, also making his debut, and Josh Eccles.
Their bursting runs to aid in their team’s attacking phases are going to cause some serious headaches for opposition defenders this term. Fellow debutant Ellis Simms looked like he will need a few more weeks to settle into this system and Robins’ coaching will undoubtedly help him become just as big of a presence as Gyokeres.
USA international Haji Wright made his first appearance in Sky Blue from the bench and he nearly had a dream debut with a thunderous effort off the crossbar in the closing stages. There were so many positives for them to take moving forward.
