Leeds United showed signs of improvement in Jesse Marsch’s first game in charge but came away from King Power Stadium empty handed.
Harvey Barnes’ fourth goal in his last four games against the Whites was enough to earn Leicester all three points after hardly troubling the visitors throughout.
As far as the away side were concerned, it was a much better performance than they showed during Marcelo Bielsa’s final few games as manager but it yielded the same amount of points.
It was very much a tale of the two sides’ ability to take their chances, the Foxes created very little but took theirs while Leeds created plenty but were unable to beat the resilient Kasper Schmeichel.
In spite of the result, there is now a sense of optimism around Elland Road as Marsch seems to have got his new side playing with cohesion and quality despite spending just a few days with the players.
Here is what the national media had to say after the 1-0 defeat.
The Times
James Gheerbrant wrote : “There was an American in the Leeds United dugout, but it was Leicester City who yanked victory, despite being outplayed. Jesse Marsch’s team had 19 shots, compared with Leicester’s seven, but were thwarted by poor finishing and a fine performance by Kasper Schmeichel. Harvey Barnes produced the most clinical moment of the match, and it was enough to give Leicester their second win of the week.”
The Telegraph
Ben Bloom wrote : “Upon being offered the Leeds United manager job this week, Jesse Marsch was asked whether he would commit himself to the club regardless of whether they find themselves in the Premier League or Championship next season.
“With 19 shots to Leicester City’s seven, there was more than enough in this performance to suggest Leeds are capable of remaining in the top flight, but the brutal fact is that a fifth straight defeat for his side leaves the possibility of relegation to the second tier increasingly likely. Not that Marsch had any time for pessimism afterwards.”
The Guardian
Ben Fisher wrote: “Life after Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds does not look dull but for all the promise, fun and trademark buccaneering style, there was a painfully familiar outcome as Jesse Marsch’s first game in charge ended in a slender defeat.
“It was all change on the sidelines – for the first time in three-and-a-half years the Leeds technical area was clear of an enigmatic figure perched on a blue club-branded bucket – but they piled forward with their typical gusto and despite creating countless chances departed with nothing to show for an encouraging performance after Harvey Barnes’s cool second-half finish earned back-to-back wins for Leicester.”
BBC Sport
Phil Dawkes wrote: “Whether you have Bielsa, Marsch or any other manager in charge, the old adage remains true: if you don't take your chances when on top, you risk being punished.
“It was a recurring failing of Leeds under Bielsa that they failed to make good on the bountiful chances they often produced in games long before they were shipping goals to the tune of 20 in a month.
“While Marsch changed a number of things in his first game in charge - a new 4-2-2-2 formation and quicker play through the middle - it was the old problem of conversion that cost Leeds.”
Daily Mail
Kieran Gill wrote: “File this one under 'sucker-punch' for Jesse Marsch. Leeds United had dominated, managed four times as many shots as Leicester City, then were undone by a simple one-two.
“Harvey Barnes scored and from the Leeds supporters came a chant: 'Marcelo Bielsa, Marcelo Bielsa.' Not what Marsch wanted to hear, really – a reminder of the man he must try to live up to.
“It wasn't a dull display. Far from it. The football was 100mph at times and on another day, Leeds win this. But then those fans who travelled left with that familiar feeling of defeat.”
