Ivory Coast’s Eric Bailly pocketed Kelechi Iheanacho as Manchester United defeated Leicester City 2-1 in the opening game of the EPL on Friday night, at Old Trafford.
Man United Boss, Jose Mourinho had Bailly and Victor Lindelöf tag team the Nigerian striker who spearheaded Leicester’s attack line, but failed to score.
Bailly ensured to neutralize every threat from Iheanacho, who had been on fire in pre-season scoring four goals in his last three games leading to Friday’s encounter.
Iheanacho’s history against Mourinho’s United was enough reason to be cautious about the Nigerian’s goal threat, and the Portuguese would have been glad with Bailly after the game.
The Nigerian only managed 2 shots in the entire 90 minutes and finished with a 5.89 rating , only higher than Daniel Amartey’s 5.79, per WhoScored.
The Red Devils opened scoring in the third minute after Ghana’s Amartey handled the ball inside the box. United’s captain, Paul Pogba subsequently converted to give the host a first half lead.
Mourinho’s men then doubled with just 7 minutes of regular time left, through an unusual source, as Luke Shaw whose fortuitous play somehow beat his marker and with an intended cross evaded Kasper Schmeichel.
Leicester will, eventually pull one back as substitute Jamie Vardy headed home from a close range after a cross after Ricardo Pereira’s cross struck the upright.
The England international had earlier missed a glorious chance to halve the deficit, when he was picked out in the box by a perfect ball, but his one-time effort sailed over the cross bar.
