Harvey Barnes condemns Jesse Marsch to debut defeat after Leeds miss chances – live reaction

We still created chances and defended well when we needed to.

(On Schmeichel’s saves) He is always there when we need him and he is top class at that.

We are starting to show signs of where we know we can be, signs of last season, and the results come with that.

That’s full time! Back-to-back wins for Leicester in the league and defeat for Jesse Marsch in his first game in charge of Leeds. His team played well generally though, and they had the better chances before Harvey Barnes’ goal. Schmeichel’s close-range save to deny Raphinha will be viewed as a turning point.

A bouncing ball in the Leicester penalty that Amartey puts out for a throw. Geldhardt with a barrelling run towards the box and he exchanges passes with Raphinha and his shot is deflected behind for a corner. Leicester’s defenders stood off him there. Big header from Amartey as Leicester survive the ball being pumped into the box, before Albrighton mucks in. Leicester almost there but under pressure.

Good defending from Soyuncu again to smash a cross away for a Leeds throw in. Then James’ cross is charged down by Albrighton and it bounces up for Schmeichel to catch.

Barnes with another surge down the left, linking with Iheanacho as he did for the goal, and Leicester win a corner. Albrighton with a mazey run across the penalty area before Tielemans strikes a shot from range which is straight down Meslier’s throat.

Leeds leaving more space at the back now and Lookman dribbles into the penalty area before Barnes’ shot is blocked and loops into the arms of Meslier. Tielemans tries a trick in midfield but gives the ball away, but Leeds fail to capitalise.

Leicester threaten to score a second but Ayling produced a fine recovery tackle to deny Iheanacho. The flag was up for offside in any case but the Leeds defender was not to know. Commanding goalkeeper from Schmeichel at the other end to claim a high ball.

Soyuncu does well to defend in space after Dallas clipped a pass down the right flank. Roberts is like a statue in the middle of the pitch, the poor guy can barely walk. He has told his team-mates to stop passing him the ball. Strange that he is still on.

Raphinha with a wicked delivery from the corner but the ball bounces wide with Leicester hearts in mouths. I think it rebounded off the shins of Koch. Roberts is still hobbling around, surely he will have to come off? It would leave Leeds with 10 but he is a passenger at the moment.

Good work rate in midfield from Leicester, Dewsbury Hall’s sliding challenge earns a big cheer from the home fans. Tyler Roberts is struggling with an injury and he might have to come off, he has a luckless history in that department. We are into the closing 10 minutes.

Leicester are also making a change: Ndidi replaced by Mendy.

That was a superb diagonal pass over the top of the Leicester defence but James’ touch let him down. He would have been clean through against Schmeichel had he controlled the pass. Can Leeds find a second wind?

That Barnes goal will have been cheered by Burnley, Watford, Everton and Brentford supporters on another important weekend in the relegation battle. Leicester have been the better team since scoring the goal and have Leeds pushed back, but James wins a foul to gain Leeds some possession. Another Leeds sub: Roberts on for Harrison.

Leicester dropping into their 4-5-1 defensive shape now, happy to wait for chances on the counter. Nice skill from Luke Thomas to twist away from Raphinha, before Soyuncu defends well in a wide position. Crowd liking what they see after a rocky patch for the home time. Leicester win a corner as Firpo slices over his own bar.

Leeds making another sub: Forshaw on for Klich. Will they risk Bamford? Leeds just need to keep playing the same way and take one of their chances. They will create one or two in this closing period.

Leeds have played well but have been undone by the old one-two. Barnes collected the ball on the left and fed Iheanacho, who returned the favour with a well weighted pass that Barnes stroked into the far corner with the inside of his right foot. Lovely finish. Encouraging performance from Marsch’s team but now they trail.

Albrighton gets in down the right but his chipped cross was poor and Meslier catches easily. Leeds launch another attack of their own but a cross flicks off the head of Soyuncu and into the grateful arms of Schmeichel.

Another dangerous Leeds moment as Gelhardt’s shot drifts agonisingly wide of the far post via a deflection. Var checked for a handball against Albrighton when the ball looked to flick his hand but nothing doing. Great work rate from Leeds to get back and snuff out a Leicester counter led by Lookman.

Raphinha blasts over when a bouncing ball in the box sat up nicely for him. Leeds are preparing an attacking sub of their own with Geldhardt about to replace Rodrigo. Firpo is too quick for Tielemans and beats him to a 50:50 to win a foul.

Vardy, who might be substituted soon, tests Struijk with a run off the shoulder but the Leeds defender was up to the challenge. Lookman and Iheanacho are ready to come on for Leicester, and they will replace Vardy and Choudhury.

HUGE chance for Leeds! They broke down the left flank again through Firpo and his low cross across the six-yard box found Raphinha. It looked a certain goal but Schmeichel produced a tremendous save with an outstretched leg from point-blank range. Leeds deserve to be ahead in this game.

Leicester really struggling here, Leeds finding all sorts of space in their half. This time it was Harrison collecting a pass on the edge of the D and the ball sat up nicely for him, but his shot deflected over the bar for a corner.

Rodrigo met the corner with a glancing header at the near post and Schmeichel saved! Will Leeds rue not scoring in this spell!

More encouragement for Leeds as James finds space around the edge of the area but his shot deflects off Raphinha and flies wide. I think James’ attempt was off target in any case.

Better from Leicester as they switch play out for Barnes but his low cross is cut out by a white shirt. Leeds break, but Amartey defends well up against James.

Leicester struggling to gain much of a foothold since the restart, Leeds are on top. Ndidi catches James with an agricultural challenge and picks up a booking for his trouble. That was reckless. Leeds with another chance to deliver into the Leicester penalty area.

The game stops because Marc Albrighton is down. Firpo caught him on the back of the calf but the Leicester man looks fine to carry on, probably just a dead leg. Leeds re-start the game and settle into another period of possession. Marsch’s team have started the second half well. Vardy with another foul on Ayling.

Leeds quickly into their attacking movements with Raphinha getting down the right and almost slipping a ball through to James on the overlap. Then Dallas whips a cross to the back post and Choudhury heads behind for a corner under pressure from Harrison. The delivery was too floaty and Schmeichel takes.

Leeds kick off in this second half. They had the better chances in the first 45 minutes.

No changes from either side. There was little to quibble with in truth, both teams have been decent. The question for Rodgers is how long Vardy will last as he returns from a hamstring injury.

That’s the first time Leeds haven’t conceded two goals or more in the first half in five Premier League games.

Jesse Marsch will be pleased with his team’s application and energy levels. Leeds’ front four have combined well, with Leicester’s right flank looking a potential weakness for Firpo and Harrison to exploit. Most importantly, it is a half-time clean sheet. Leicester have played in fits and starts but Vardy looks lively as ever.

Rodrigo tried a spectacular volley from the corner but was always leaning back. Just the one minute of added time to play.

Leicester mounting some pressure of their own and they win a corner thanks to the tireless work of Vardy. Albrighton’s delivery was accurate but Ndidi headed straight at Meslier when he was free as a bird in the box. Slack marking from Leeds but they get away with it. Leeds go down the other end and win a corner. Hard to call which team is more likely to score.

Excellent chance for Leeds! They got down the left again and a low cross was deflected back towards the penalty spot where Junior Firpo was unmarked, but his shot was blocked by Soyuncu. Leicester less than convincing from the corner with the ball bouncing around in the box, and Soyuncu produces another block to deny Raphinha. Plenty of goalmouth action for a goalless game.

The delivery from the corner was too strong, but Leeds remain on the attack and have a penalty appeal. The ball was played into Rodrigo just inside the penalty area, and Soyuncu may have caught him with the lightest of taps on the foot as he controlled a bouncing ball. Var has a look, but no penalty. Right decision.

Tielemans goes down near the right touchline asking for a foul against Koch but nothing doing. Then Schmeichel’s attempt to switch play is too strong, and the ball flies out for a throw in to cheers from the away end. Leeds back on the attack, threatening cross from Dallas that Choudhury has to turn behind for a corner.

Measured football from Leeds out from their own defensive third, and Raphinha floated a pass over the top which looked promising but skipped through to Schmeichel. Leeds enjoying a good spell, and Choudhury has to produce a sliding challenge on Harrison. First goal feels significant in this game.

Leeds keep the ball in the Leicester half from the second phase of a free-kick pumped into the box, but Choudhury defends on the right and clears downfield. Quick counter-pressing from Leeds to pinch the ball back in midfield. Vardy then catches Ayling late after the Leeds defender clears a bouncing ball near the touchline.

Leeds have defended set-pieces well but they allowed that free-kick to bounce in the penalty area, but Amartey lost his bearings and was facing the wrong way or else he may well have scored. Neither Leicester nor Leeds will want to see that passage of play again, but the visitors survive.

Leeds gain some territory down the right through Dallas, and their front four are certainly giving Leicester some problems. Harrison delivers a fine cross from the left which skips across the six-yard box. Bamford may have gobbled that up.

Vardy keeps finding space, you feel Leeds will be punished if that keeps happening despite their good football in general play. Dallas defends against Dewsbury Hall down the left and Leicester win a corner. Dallas heads it away – Leeds have defended set-pieces well so far, which has been a problem for them.

Leeds trusting their ability to play out from the back, and they escape into acres of space with Raphinha. They worked the ball to the spare man Harrison on the left, Schmeichel came out to usher him wide but he retained the ball and found Rodrigo with a cut back. With Schmeichel scrambling, the shot was blazed over. Decent chance for Leeds.

Whenever Leeds look dangerous, Vardy gives them a scare at the other end. Once again he spins into the left channel and gets behind the Leeds defence, but his chipped cross evaded the blue shirts in the middle. Good defending from Dewsbury Hall to win the ball from Raphinha. Barnes cuts in from the left but his shot is blocked by Koch. Stop sniggering at the back, please.

Lovely interplay between James and Raphinha, with James knocking a first-time pass around the corner for his team-mate to burst into space. Raphinha took one too many touches though, and Thomas got back to defend in the penalty area.

The home team are starting to show more authority now, Ndidi reading play well in midfield and winning a foul. Leicester look to be playing a 4-1-4-1 with Choudhury at right-back, but there is some flexibility there. Ndidi then makes a foul on his own on Dallas.

Pressure from Leicester, Luke Thomas getting forward down the left flank and they earn a couple of corners. Inswinger from Albrighton but Leeds deal with it. Dewsbury Hall tidy in possession to keep Leicester on the move and Albrighton is fouled by Firpo.

Both teams are taking risks and pushing numbers forward. It almost feels like the 81st minute rather than the 11th, the game is that stretched. Leeds are playing well but Vardy has darted behind their defence successfully twice.

This is a really good game, swinging from one end to another. Dan James led the charge for Leeds and slipped Harrison in on the overlap down the left, who fired a shot low that Schmeichel saved with his feet. Leicester countered straight away and played the ball into space for Vardy to chase behind Leeds’ high line, and Struijk hauled him down. Yellow card for the Leeds man.

James with another run in behind the Leicester defence and Schmeichel comes off his line to volley a clearance downfield. Marsch will be satisfied with how his team have started this game. Leicester’s shape looks rather amorphous.

A little scare for Leeds there though as Meslier dallies on it, but Cruyff turned away from Dewsbury-Hall in his own box. Then Barnes burst past Dallas but the ball ran through to Meslier.

Leeds trying to start on the front foot and be aggressive, and Koch’s strike from long range flies wide. It looks like James and Rodrigo are a strike partnership with Harrison and Raphinha wide. Almost a 4-2-4 when Leeds are attacking. Harrison probes down the left and Amartey concedes a corner. Ayling’s header loops over.

Lively start from Leeds as Dan James peels in behind in the right channel, and gets his shot off across goal which Schmeichel tipped around the post. The Leicester goalkeeper then claimed the delivery clearly. Moments later, Harvey Barnes shoots straight at Meslier from range. Promising opening minutes.

Leicester get us under way, and it looks as though Leeds are lining up in a variation of 4-4-2.

The players are gathered in the centre circle for a ‘minute’s reflection’ in solidarity with Ukraine

For the first time since pre-pandemic both teams are walking out of the same tunnel at the King Power. The white Premier League ball is back too.

Today won’t be perfect and we’re not worried about that. Their spirit to run and fight is always there and with my ideas of football they will need that. It will take time to achieve what we want to tactically but the spirit will be there.

He’s such a high level player – you see it in the week against Burnley, his cameo was a masterclass. Comes on and creates a goal, and scores a goal.

He makes a huge difference for us when he is on the pitch.

Leicester: Schmeichel, Choudhury, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas, Tielemans, Ndidi, Dewsbury-Hall, Albrighton, Vardy, Barnes

Subs: Ward, Iheanacho, Perez, Vestergaard, Mendy, Daka, Lookman, Soumare, Brunt

Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Struijk, Firpo, Klich, Raphinha, Dallas, Rodrigo, Harrison, James

Subs: Forshaw, Bamford, Roberts, Klaesson, Gelhardt, Cresswell, Summerville, Greenwood, Shackleton

Rather than Choudhury at right-back, he could play as a third centre-back with Thomas and Albrighton wing-backs in a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2. We shall see.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Jesse Marsch’s first game as Leeds United head coach away at Leicester City.

Leeds sacked Marcelo Bielsa on Sunday after a series of heavy defeats left them staring at relegation and while Marsch said tactical changes were to be expected, the club’s ‘play without fear’ mantra would be cherished.

Marsch said: “Our style of play is fearless. I think we have a lot of fearless young men here and we have to tap into that fearlessness, it will help us in a situation like this.

“The thing I loved about this team in the past is their fight, their ability to run for each other, to do whatever it takes no matter what the result was. This will have to remain a big part of our DNA.”

Bielsa came under increasing criticism as his side lost five of their previous six league matches for stubbornly retaining a man-to-man marking system that Premier League rivals had ruthlessly exposed.

Marsch said he would be “certainly getting away from the man-marking”, adding: “Also with the ball, creating tactics that don’t expose us to transition moments as much.”

The former Ivy League graduate – Marsch gained a history degree at Princeton University – said his new charges were quick learners.

“I can say it’s an intelligent group, they can understand and put into practice,” he said.

“I told them (on Wednesday) after training, some of the things that we did in training, I’d worked with teams for six months and they didn’t perform the topics on the pitch as well as this group had done. That’s a very positive sign.”

It has been a difficult season too for Brendan Rodgers and Leicester, dogged by injuries, inconsistency and a persistent weakness defending set-pieces. There have been signs of recent improvement, though. Leicester played some good stuff at Wolves and were unfortunate in defeat, and won away at resurgent Burnley. Jamie Vardy is back from injury, and they still boast an attractive set of attacking options.

Full team news on the way shortly.