If Leicester go on to wriggle clear of the relegation zone and retain their Premier League status, they will probably look back on this comeback victory as a defining moment in changing their direction of travel. Things appeared ominous when they trailed to Wolves inside 13 minutes but Kelechi Iheanacho levelled from the penalty spot before Timothy Castagne sidefooted in the winner to record their first triumph in 11 matches and lift them out of the bottom three on goal difference. Dean Smith, a picture of calm as Castagne converted Victor Kristiansen’s low cross with 15 minutes to play, would be the first to say Leicester still have much to do.
At the final whistle Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, the Leicester chairman, clenched his fist presumably in relief as much as in delight and Smith and his coaching staff formed a guard of honour of sorts for their players, high-fiving and embracing them as they headed down the tunnel. Supporters exited the turnstiles with renewed belief. “It was a massive win, one we needed given our run of form,” Smith said. “I think that, mentally, the win will give all of the players a lift. I think there is relief because of the run we have been on. Enjoy it, but don’t get too high.”
With six games to play Leicester are sandwiched in 17th by Leeds and Everton, their next two opponents. Wolves are 13th and six points above the drop zone but Julen Lopetegui is reluctant to consider their advantage a significant buffer. “This is the worst message we can send to the players,” he said. “It’s a very dangerous message because I know how football is and how the Premier League is. Until you have achieved one aim you have not done anything yet.”
Suddenly this stadium was rocking, the Leicester crowd bopping and singing Smith’s name. Until an unfortunate slip by José Sá saw the Wolves goalkeeper catch Jamie Vardy’s right ankle inside the box in the 34th minute, Leicester were deep in trouble. Vardy hobbled to the sidelines and Iheanacho, after a staggered run-up, sent Sá the wrong way. Matheus Cunha gave Wolves the lead, whipping a shot into the corner after Mario Lemina pickpocketed Youri Tielemans on the edge of the Leicester box. Cunha and Craig Dawson had efforts blocked as Wolves went in search of a second goal but they never seemed to truly recover from conceding. “Maybe the penalty damaged us,” Lopetegui said.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who replaced Vardy at half-time, and Caglar Soyuncu, marginalised by Brendan Rodgers but restored to the starting lineup by Smith last week, also went close to earning Leicester the lead before Castagne swept in. Rúben Neves, introduced in place of Lemina at the break, sent a free-kick on to the roof of Daniel Iversen’s net just after the hour and with 88 minutes on the clock the Wolves captain forced the Leicester goalkeeper into a fine right-hand save from another free-kick in an identical area. Leicester dug in to eke out a first win since February.
- Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for 'The Guardian'.
- If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.
- In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.
- Turn on sport notifications.
Leicester’s preparations were hampered by James Maddison being ruled out through illness hours before kick-off, adding to Smith’s problems with Harvey Barnes already sidelined with a hamstring injury. Both could return at Elland Road on Tuesday. “I got the dreaded call from the grim reaper, the doctor, who told me that James had been ill in the night but he should be ready for Tuesday,” Smith said, confirming Barnes is set to return to training on Sunday.
Leicester had lost nine of their previous 10 matches and how they needed a boost in their fight to stay up. A trip to Manchester City last week was seen as effectively a free hit but fans recognised the value of lift-off against Wolves. This was far from a convincing Leicester performance but they have, finally, given the supporters something to cling on to. “They could see the players cared, they could see they were trying,” the Leicester manager said. Smith began with three strikers in Vardy, Iheanacho, who played off the Leicester No 9, and Patson Daka, who operated off the left flank. But Castagne, the full-back scoring his second goal of the season, proved the unlikely hero.
