Leicester 2-0 Wolves: Jamie Vardy sent off as 10-man Leicester hold on to beat Wolves

James Maddison scores for Leicester.Image source, Reuters
Image caption,

James Maddison scored 15 league goals for Norwich last season

Leicester City held on with 10 men to beat Wolves after striker Jamie Vardy was sent off - and manager Claude Puel said they were "lucky" to win.

Vardy, who started the game after scoring as a substitute in the Foxes' Premier League opener against Manchester United, was dismissed on 66 minutes for a reckless challenge on Matt Doherty.

Leicester already led by two goals at that point - Doherty inadvertently setting them on their way with an own goal he knew little about as he headed home a Marc Albrighton cross which took a flick off Conor Coady.

James Maddison, a £20m signing from Norwich, scored the second on his home debut on the stroke of half-time with a well-placed finish from the edge of the area after referee Mike Dean allowed play to continue following a foul on Ricardo Pereira.

Wolves had started the game strongly but failed to make the most of their opportunities, Joao Moutinho striking the crossbar with Kasper Schmeichel beaten and Raul Jimenez hitting the post following a sharp turn.

And Nuno Espirito Santo's side, for whom club record signing Adama Traore came on at half-time, could not capitalise on their extra man after Vardy's dismissal as their wait for a first Premier League victory since February 2012 goes on.

"I think perhaps Wolves deserve a result," said Puel.

"Congratulations to them because they played well. They are difficult to read, they cause a lot of difficulty. It is difficult to defend against them.

"We were lucky. My players kept a good attitude and mentality. It was important to have the right attitude."

Plenty of positives for Puel

Leicester began the season with an opening-day defeat at Old Trafford which, taken in isolation, should not have prompted too many questions about Puel's position.

However, the Frenchman was indeed quizzed about his future this week, saying "speculation from outside the club is not my concern".

And, with his side having won just one of their previous eight matches in the Premier League, this victory is an important one.

Puel made four changes to his side, giving Jonny Evans his debut following a £3.5m move from West Brom. A clean sheet - despite Wolves starting both halves brightly - suggests there is plenty of potential in the 30-year-old's central-defensive partnership with Harry Maguire.

Maddison, another summer arrival, again impressed with an authoritative performance, rounded off neatly with his first goal for the club. The 21-year-old grew in confidence with each minute that passed, and his composed finish from the edge of the area showed a maturity evident throughout much of his game.

But the loss of England international Vardy may hurt Leicester - though they closed this game out in a professional manner, it remains to be seen how they will cope in his absence through suspension.

Impressive Traore not enough for Wolves

Nuno's side began the season with plenty of optimism after a number of notable signings, including the £18m signing of Traore from Middlesbrough.

The Spaniard, who began his career at Barcelona, started on the bench but was introduced at half-time as Nuno sought a way back into the match.

The 22-year-old, who completed 132 more dribbles than any other player in the Championship last season, showed glimpses of his ability with signature surging runs that are sure to trouble top-flight defenders.

Prior to his introduction, Wolves had made a lively start, matching the tempo of their entertaining draw with Everton in their first Premier League match since 2012.

Schmeichel's goal frame was battered by Moutinho and Jimenez, and Leicester's defence was stretched, but the visitors could not find the net.

This was a lesson in taking your chances - and though they fought back twice against 10-man Everton last weekend, they could not take full advantage of a similar situation here.

But Wolves looked a threat throughout and will certainly offer plenty of entertainment in the Premier League this season.

"We started very well but you have to be clinical," said former Porto boss Nuno.

"The way we played makes me proud but I am not happy with the result. We have to be accurate in the final moment. We could and should do better."

Man of the match - James Maddison (Leicester)

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

James Maddison appears a fantastic summer addition for Leicester. The former Norwich player was at the heart of all of their good play and a cool performance was capped off with a well-taken goal on his home debut

Red cards and own goals

  • Since returning to the Premier League in 2014-15, Leicester players have been sent off 14 times, a haul inferior only to Newcastle in that period (15).

  • Since 2015-16, no player has been shown more red cards in the Premier League than Jamie Vardy (three - also Miguel Britos, Simon Francis, Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama).

  • Leicester have benefited from four own goals in the Premier League since the start of last season, a joint-high with Tottenham.

  • Maddison has been directly involved in five goals in his past six home league games (3 goals, 2 assists), as many as in the previous 24.

  • Leicester have beaten Wolves in the top flight for the first time since December 1983 (5-1 at Filbert Street), drawing once and losing twice also since then.

  • Wolves have won just one of their eight visits to the King Power Stadium in all competitions (D3 L4), winning 4-1 in the Championship in May 2007.

What's next?

Leicester face a trip to Puel's former side Southampton next Saturday (15:00 BST), after Wolves host Premier League champions Manchester City (12:30 BST).

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