On Sunday, Leicester City produced one of the biggest shocks of the new season after the newly promoted side rallied back from going two-goal down to win 5-3 against Manchester United at the King Power Stadium.
Spectacular strikes from Robin Van Persie and Angel di Maria put the visitors into early two-goal lead before Leonardo Ulloa powered in an excellent header past David de Gea to reduce the deficit to a single goal.
In the second-half Ander Herrera applied a deft flick onto Wayne Rooney’s shot inside the Leicester box to restore United’s two-goal cushion..
However, Manchester United’s defensive weaknesses was highlighted once again as the Red Devils went to concede four goals including two penalties and a sending-off for teenaged centre-back Tyler Blackett in the second-half which wrested the game away from the 20-time champions.
United’s Brazilian wing-back Rafael committed a needless Jamie Vardy inside United’ penalty area after Vardy looked to have caused the initial offense outside the box.
Nevertheless, David Nugent stepped up to the spot and drilled his kick right down the middle to make it 3-2 on 62 minutes and the set the tone for the Foxes’ comeback.
Two minutes later, former Real Madrid and Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso drew Leicester City level with a goal on his full debut for his new club to send the home fans into ecstatic frenzy.
Dean Hammond was given plenty of space on the edge of the box and his shot was blocked in the centre of the area where Cambiasso pounced ton stab the ball past de Gea.
With just over 10 minutes remaining on the clock, Vardy capitalised on more pitiable defending from United to fire Leicester in to the lead.
Less than five minutes later, United were reduced to 10 men after Tyler Blackett was shown a red-card for bringing down Vardy inside the penalty area with an awful challenge from behind.
Leonardo Ulloa stepped up to take Leicester’s second spot-kick of the game and slammed it home to score his second goal of the game to effectively end United’s chances of taking away anything from the game.
Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal was completely flabbergasted by United’s performance over the two-halves.
“It seemed like it was complete control (at 3-1) – then you think ‘how is it possible you can give this game away,’ but I think we gave the game away,” Van Gaal told Sky Sports after the match.
“In the world of football it’s always possible. I have had this experience at Barcelona once and it seems unbelievable that it’s happening.”
On his team’s defensive display Van Gaal said,”I don’t think that it is the weakness of the defence. It is the weakness of the defensive organisation of the team and we know we have to do better.”
Defeat for the Red Devils leaves them with just five points from their opening five games of the season with a home clash at Old Trafford against West Ham to come next Saturday.
On the other hand Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson was thoroughly delighted with not only the result but also the manner in which his team won.
“For us to win away at Stoke last week and to back it up with a win at home against one of the big forces of English football is very, very satisfying. When you add into that coming back from 3-1 down to win it is testament to not only, I think, the quality of players we have, but also the belief and the spirit amongst us to keep trying to do the right thing,” he said.
