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Daka four-goal Europa haul for Leicester

Nick MashiterPress Association
Patson Daka (No.29) celebrates one of his goals in Leicester's Europa League win at Spartak Moscow.
Camera IconPatson Daka (No.29) celebrates one of his goals in Leicester's Europa League win at Spartak Moscow. Credit: EPA

Four-goal Patson Daka urged Leicester to forget his four-goal heroics after he revived their Europa League hopes.

The striker's stunning performance pulled the Foxes back from the brink to win 4-3 at Spartak Moscow.

Leicester were 2-0 down in the Russian capital to goals from Aleksandr Sobolev and Jordan Larsson in Russia before Daka stole the show.

The Zambia striker pulled a goal back in the last minute of the first half before netting three more times after the break - in the 48th, 54th and 78th minutes.

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Sobolev did get the final goal of the night but the Foxes won to go second in Group C on four points, behind Napoli who play Legia Warsaw on Thursday evening.

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Daka became the first Leicester player to net a hat-trick in Europe and, in one game, is now their joint top European goalscorer.

"It's not time to celebrate now, it's now history and we have to focus on the game at the weekend," Daka, who arrived in the off-season from RB Salzburg, said.

"There is a lot of hard work to be done and we have to keep the consistency.

"The goals may look easy but you need total concentration, I know my strengths and I know the quality of the team.

I just had to utilise my speed and concentrate a lot on my finishing.

"This was my first time (scoring four goals), I hope and believe this won't be the last."

Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers was happy with his team's attitude and resilience and lauded the contribtion of Daka.

"I'm satisfied with the result, it's a great victory, and satisfied with the mentality and spirit from the team... and I'm super satisfied with Patson scoring four goals," he said.

"To do it in an away game in Europe is so special. All his finishes were really calm and composed.

"That's his biggest strength, when he is through one-on-one he has great composure.

"It was a great victory for us, it was a massive game for us in terms of the group stage.

"It was decisive."

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