Coach of Leicester City Brendan Rodgers says Kelechi Iheanacho is now a different player from the one that missed a penalty in December against Crystal Palace after scoring in their 2-1 win over same opponent yesterday.
In December, Iheanacho missed a penalty in the reverse fixture in what was a poor performance but Rodgers stuck by him and yesterday he repaid the manager’s faith with a spectacular winner ten minutes from full time.
He received a pass from Johnny Evans at the edge of the box and despite having two men on his worked his way nicely into a shooting position before curling home a sweet left foot effort from a tight angle.
The goal ended up as the winner and it was Iheanacho’s 17th goal of the season but more remarkable is that fact that he has now scored 14 goals in his last 14 games. A form which Rodgers was quick to praise after the game.
“It’s a great comparison, because he missed a penalty and his confidence wasn’t high,” Rodgers said, reflecting on Iheanacho’s improvement. “A few months on, he’s a different player.
“We knew the quality he has, the talent he has, and now he’s getting an opportunity.
“We were playing a system that only allowed him to come into games, but we’ve now designed the team around the injuries, with a bit of common sense, we’ve put in attacking players.
“He’s been incredible, that’s 14 goals in 14 games now and all different types of finishes.
“Tonight, wow, what a strike. The team are delighted for him.”
