Leicester City kicked off their 2025-26 Championship campaign with a gritty 2-1 comeback victory against Sheffield Wednesday, at King Power Stadium. Both clubs faced turbulent summers—Leicester grappling with a managerial change and financial concerns, while Wednesday dealt with fan protests against owner Dejphon Chansiri. Despite these challenges, the match delivered intensity and drama, with Leicester showcasing resilience to secure three points against a stubborn 10-man Wednesday side.
Sheffield Wednesday struck first in the 26th minute through Nathaniel Chalobah, whose speculative shot deflected off Leicester’s Oliver Skipp, wrong-footing goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. The Owls’ vocal away support, delayed by protests, energized their team, who held the lead into halftime despite Leicester’s dominance in possession (75%) and relentless pressure. Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles was exceptional, making 11 saves to keep his side in contention.
Leicester’s breakthrough came in the 54th minute when Jannik Vestergaard latched onto a loose ball, rifling a close-range shot into the roof of the net to level the score. The game’s turning point arrived in the 76th minute when Wednesday captain Barry Bannan received a second yellow card for a late challenge, reducing his team to 10 men. Leicester capitalized on their numerical advantage late in the match. In the 87th minute, substitute Wout Faes rose highest to head home a pinpoint corner from Bilal El Khannouss, sparking wild celebrations.
Wout Faes with an absolute bullet header! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JCnOESVOFJ
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 10, 2025
Despite Wednesday’s defensive resolve, Leicester’s 27 shots and tactical adjustments under new manager Marti Cifuentes proved decisive. The victory extends Leicester’s unbeaten streak in their last seven opening league games, signalling their promotion intent. For Wednesday, off-field unrest and on-pitch indiscipline highlighted ongoing challenges, leaving them to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
