'We knew' - Enzo Maresca on damning Bristol City defeat and West Ham connection with Liam Manning as Leicester City's Premier League hopes dented

Enzo Maresca admits he and his Leicester City team were well aware of the threat that Bristol City would cause, but couldn't stop the Robins from damaging their promotion hopes.

Anis Mehmeti's brilliant left-footed strike in the second half proved the difference maker on Good Friday, as Jamie Vardy squandered a plethora of opportunities for the visitors.

While the Foxes were firm favourites pre-match, Maresca said he didn't underestimate Manning's side.

"We knew that they are a good team," he said. "They beat West Ham, they beat Southampton, Hull City, Middlesbrough, we knew that.

"In the last nine or 10 games, they play always with a line of four, today they were a line of five. But they have good players, we knew that they were very dangerous in behind. We suffered when the ball was in behind in some moments but, yes, they are a good team."

Maresca and Manning worked together at West Ham several years back, and the Robins boss reflected on his time with and admiration of the Italian.

"Enzo’s come in and done a terrific job," he said in his pre-Foxes press conference. "I used to work with him at West Ham when I was with the u23s so it's been interesting to see his journey progress."

The current Leicester boss was a part of the first team set up under Manuel Pellegrini at the Hammers and worked closely with Manning.

"Quite often I'd liaise through him with which players were transitioning between groups and stuff so I had a good relationship with him," Manning added.

"What I liked about him when I chatted with him was how he was studying coaches. I think seeing him working, how he is around people, he is a terrific people person, so it doesn't surprise me now how well he's doing."