Leicester players jump into a stand and taunt angry Birmingham fans as the Foxes extended their lead at the top of the Championship table.
Two goals from Stephy Mavididi and one from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall helped Leicester re-establish a three-point lead over second-placed Ipswich.
And it seems Mavididi to extra delight in mocking the home support, taking to celebrate right in the faces of Birmingham fans having scored a counter-attacking goal to put them ahead after nine minutes.
Leicester City with a DEVASTATING counter-attack!! 🔥⚽ pic.twitter.com/Ob0vwEnNqs
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2023
As can be seen in the clip above, Mavididi runs over to jump and sit on the advertising boards, facing home fans in celebration.
A number of the home fans make their feelings known along with some hand gestures, before Leicester midfielder Harry Winks holds his hands up in an apparent apology.
Birmingham got one back a few minutes later with Jordan James finding the bottom corner, then Dewsbury-Hall also wanted to wind up Birmingham fans after he made it 2-1 on 21 minutes.
Mavididi got Leicester’s third of the night within the first five minutes of the second half.
With James pulling another back for the hosts with 16 minutes left on the clock, however they couldn’t find that leveller despite also bringing on Scott Hogan and Lukas Jutkiewicz.
The result means that Leicester now have 55 points from 22 games played, their fourth straight victory, and three clear of Ipswich while also 13 ahead of third-placed Leeds.
Leicester boss Enzo Maresca said: “Like every game, it was very difficult,” Maresca assessed after full-time. “Especially in the first 15-20 minutes, we struggled a little bit but then it was much better. Overall, I think we deserved to win completely, 100 per cent.
“After we conceded the second goal, I really like the way the team behaved altogether, defending, trying to get the three points which in this moment is very important.
“We created chances, we missed and when you don’t take the chances, it’s always difficult. In the end we had some complicated minutes. You cannot be disappointed because you know the opponent are also there to win the game so it’s normal.
“We could score more goals for sure, but at the end they don’t want to miss, they want to score. Sometimes it happens. After we conceded the second goal, I really like the way the team behaved altogether, defending, trying to get the three points which in this moment is very important.
“I think we scored at Southampton away in the same way with Stephy and we scored at home the other day with Pat (Patson Daka) and a long ball from Mads [Hermansen].
“We don’t like to use counter-attacking but sometimes you need to use it. We’ve scored 90 per cent of our goals playing in a different way but when we need to use it, we use it. It’s the way he (Mavididi) has to continue until the end.
“Now we have almost finished the first half of the season,” the 43-year-old reflected. “We have one more game and it’s important to win games. We need to win again (on Saturday) and we’re going to try and refresh the team if we can and go again for the three points.
“We as a club, as a team are happy, they (the supporters) are happy. Especially after relegation they completely deserve this. They have to understand that this is not easy because when you are relegated, the year after is not easy. It’s a new journey, a new project, but we are going in the right way.”
Birmingham’s Wayne Rooney said, as per Birmingham Mail: “I’m very disappointed to lose the game,” said Rooney. “I thought for 30 minutes we were really good and had good control of the game. We pressed really well and created chances, then something we spoke about (happened).
“Leicester are very good on transition. Maybe we were a little bit naive on the two goals they scored. Then for the last 10 minutes of the first half, for some reason we didn’t sit back but we stopped getting pressure on the ball and allowed them to have control.
“That carried on into the second half and we were a little bit sloppy. I said to the lads at half-time, ‘If we don’t secure the ball in the middle of the pitch, they will punish us.’ And that’s exactly what happened for the third goal.
“We kept pushing. I brought attacking lads on with energy. Ultimately, it ended up with every attacking player I’ve got on the pitch, but we fell a bit short. The character of the players was really good.
“Let’s not forget, there’s a reason Leicester are top of the league. We competed and at times showed real quality as well.
“When we get the details right we look like a really good team. When we don’t we get punished. Against a team like Leicester you can’t not get them right.”
Wayne Rooney reacted on claims Leicester’s celebrations were ‘provocative’ and ‘disrespectful’, saying in his post-match press conference that players shouldn’t hold back, when reflecting on how celebrations were in his playing days.
“There’s emotion in the game, isn’t there? Players celebrate. I mean, I got a phone thrown at my head at Anfield! Players have their reasons why they do things,” Rooney said.
“Of course, you want them to be respectful, that’s what you hope for. But I’m sure at some point I’m going to have one of my players doing something similar to the away fans. It’s part of the game. It’s good that players can actually celebrate.
“I was listening to the Chelsea game on the way home in the car the other day and a goal went in but nobody celebrated because they were waiting for VAR to check it. I think it’s good that players can look across and see they’re onside to celebrate the goals,” Rooney continued.
“The second-half we started really slow.”
Wayne Rooney on what led to his sides defeat. pic.twitter.com/12vkTtiKAy
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2023
“Overall I’m very happy.”
Enzo Maresca on securing all 3 points tonight! ✅ pic.twitter.com/ArsylVdYzM
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2023
Twitter users gave their reaction after seeing Leicester players jump into the stand and taunt angry Birmingham fans…
@JakePrice1927: Lucky that invisible wall was there for the Birmingham fans, could’ve been carnage otherwise
@ACDAFC: Some excellent Barclays incoming next season.
@MattDavidson_95: Always thought that celebration was just on FIFA. He’s actually done it for real. What a set of bollocks on him
@GeorgeJoseph28: Holding themselves back 😂
@_kieranbl: Still makes me laugh when fans react 😂 What are you trying to achieve?
@bprb3737: Fairs even Jamie Vardys never done that much of a shithouse celebration
@mattylufc_: How’s he got away with that celebration? Incredible shithousery
@LFCJimm7: This celebration is quite easily the best I have ever seen. What has Kudus started 😂😂😂
@tommowalkerrr: Oh my god that celebration is absolutely different class
@Llawllim41: Imagine someone sitting in CBL lower after scoring against us 🤷
@BCFCJD: 🤣 that celebration, sensational
@SwindlehurstJ: I like that a couple of the players try to half apologise while still giving it the biggun with Mavididi, this is class.
@WHUCharlie_: People only mentioning the celebration now we need more PR
@b_daws19: One of my favourite goals I’ve ever seen us score, smashing it against our own woodwork to scoring literally 10 seconds later is hilarious
@_LMac67: Maybe fastest counter attack of all time wtf
@JackTPearson: That’s simply outstanding, these blokes are going to walk the division and set records. #lufc
@_salwba94: the way he just sits there so calmly 😂
@ThomasTParker: After all the macho “wE’d NeVeR LeT aNyOnE tAkE tHe pIsS aT sT. aNDrEwS” bravado, this is objectively very, very funny.
@vilechels4: Na he’s taking the piss with that celebration 😂😂😭
@cordeywill17: Got A lot of time for that celebration mind 😂
@Josh_T95: Proper called their bluff there hasn’t he, fair fucking play 😂
@jackhennessy19: Thank god that invisible wall was there stopping those brummie fans 😂
Copying his idol 🐐 pic.twitter.com/q4kfY4miHD
— Leo ⚒ (@LeoBoi18) December 18, 2023

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