Castagne, Maddison stunners see off battling Brentford

Stunning goals from Timothy Castagne and James Maddison gave Leicester a 2-1 home win over Brentford that lifts them into the top half of the Premier League table.

Castagne made a dream return after nearly three months out injured as he scored Leicester’s opener with a thunderous strike (20) from just outside the box that arrowed into the top-right corner.

Thirteen minutes later, Maddison scored a wonderful curling 25-yard free-kick that beat Brentford goalkeeper David Raya in the opposite top corner.

Brentford set up a nervy finish after Yoane Wissa hammered home from outside the box in the 85th minute.

But the Foxes held on to move up to 10th and are now level on points with Midlands rivals Aston Villa, who are above them on goal difference in ninth.

Meanwhile, Brentford remain eight points above the relegation zone with 17th-placed Watford having a game in hand on them, while 18th-placed Burnley have three games in hand on the Bees.

Castagne scores on return from injury

Leicester came into the game having lost their last two matches but were given a surprise boost before kick-off as Castagne made his return to the starting XI having last played in late December.

The Belgian, who had undergone thigh surgery, marked his comeback with a fine goal that left him in disbelief as he celebrated his first goal of the season.

Maddison then scored a stunner of his own as his wonderful free-kick saw him become Leicester’s top scorer in all competitions this season with 13.

Kelechi Iheanacho should have made it 3-0 seven minutes into the second half but his chipped effort, when one-versus-one with Raya, clipped the outside of the post.

Brentford, who were without Christian Eriksen because of coronavirus, were much improved in the second half and Leicester needed goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to rescue them with a couple of fine saves in the space of six minutes.

First the skipper acrobatically tipped over Pontus Jansson’s header (54) before denying Bryan Mbeumo’s header (60) from point-blank range.

Castagne lasted 64 minutes and was replaced by another defender making his return from injury in Jonny Evans, who came on for his first appearance since December 12.

Schmeichel was eventually beaten but it needed a great strike from Wissa to break his resistance.

The goalkeeper appeared to be injured for the final few minutes as Brentford pushed for an equaliser but the away side could not find the goal that would have stretched their unbeaten run to three games.

What’s next?

After the international break, Leicester travel to Old Trafford to take on top-four chasing Manchester United on April 2 at 5.30pm in the Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports.

On the same day, Brentford go to west London rivals Chelsea, with the game at Stamford Bridge kicking off at 3pm.