Leicester City started off their preparations for the 2020/21 Premier League season with a comfortable win over Birmingham City.
Goals from Kieran Dewsbury-Hall and Mark Albrighton in the second-half were the perfect compliment to a strong Leicester performance as they prepare to begin their league campaign against West Bromwich Albion in just over two weeks time.
The Foxes named a side blended with first-team and academy experience with names such as Kasper Schmeichel and Youri Tielemans lining up alongside Khanya Leshabela and Sidnei Tavares got valuable minutes against the SkyBet Championship outfit.
Aitor Karanka meanwhile opted to play two different starting XI squads as he looked to analyse his team ahead of Birmingham's season opener against Brentford on September 12th.
Leicester also made a host of changes in the second-half with Filip Benkovic and Admiral Muskwe as well as other youngsters Josh Eppiah and Darnell Johnson amongst the substitutions for the away side.
Story of the match
Strong Leicester start
The opening 20 minutes proved to be a strong start for Leicester with the East Midlanders controlling the play in the opening stages.
It was Belgium international Tielemans who had the first chance of the game after good work from George Hirst to bring down the ball from a Demarai Gray cross and lay off for Tielemans who could only blaze over the bar.
The Foxes continued to pile the pressure on the hosts with some good build-up play between Harvey Barnes and Tavares before the latter was fouled on the edge of the box.
In perfect shooting range it was former Birmingham man Gray with the chance to test the goalkeeper Zach Jeacock from close range, however the 24-year-old could only hit the wall, with the ball going for a corner.Brendan Rodgers' side came even closer just minutes later with two consecutive corners however Leicester's man up top Hirst couldn't direct his headers on target to find the opening goal.
Brilliant Barnes
With half-time approaching Leicester continued to assert their dominance with one of last season's brightest sparks Harvey Barnes causing trouble down the left-hand side of the pitch. With his close touch control, Barnes was able to drive through the Birmingham backline and almost found the opening goal of the game at the end of the half with a well-timed low driven shot that stung the palms of the Birmingham keeper.
The second-half started just like the first-half with Leicester in the ascendancy and their persistence paid off with the Foxes taking the lead through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after 53 minutes.
The former Blackpool loanee looked lively in the opening stages and was rewarded with his efforts - combining with his midfield partner Tielemans to find the opener. Controlling a neat timed pass from the Belgian, Dewsbury-Hall was able to time his touch well before confidently tucking the ball into the back of the net to give Leicester the lead.
Lucky deflection gifts Foxes second goal of the game
With both sides having almost entirely two different starting squads out on the pitch with 20 minutes to go, the fresh-looking Leicester continued to apply pressure with the away side deservedly adding a second.
The high-tempo pressure that supporters are so used to seeing from the Foxes was on display in abundance and duly paid off after Albrighton closed in on Birmingham keeper Jeacock who's clearance deflected off of Albrighton's and ricocheted into the net.
Missed opportunity
Leicester had a chance to add a third after second-half sub Muskwe did brilliantly to win a penalty. Using his strength to get the better of the Birmingham defence, the Zimbabwean was brought down in the box and referee John Brooks had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Stepping up to take the penalty, Muskwe failed to capitalise, with his penalty saved by Jeacock to make amends for his earlier error.
Key Takeaways
Youngsters take the headlines
Whilst there wasn't many first-team players on display for the Foxes it was arguably the academy players who looked most impressive.
Over recent years Leicester have had an exciting number of talents progress through the academy and with four cup competitions to contend with this season, these promising talents may well get there first taste of first-team football this season.
Dewsbury-Hall impresses
Several players put in solid performances but it was Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall that fans should be most excited about.
The 21-year-old was the centre of everything in his 45 minute spell and even managed to open the scoring for the Foxes in the early stages of the second-half.
His ability to switch the play quickly and dictate the play across the pitch was impressive on the eye and should he not go out on loan this season, could be more than capable of being the next breakthrough star and play a role in the first-team squad this season.