Leicester City 0-3 Crystal Palace: Player ratings
Claude Puel’s Leicester City were unable to continue their winning streak, losing 3-0 at home to an in-form Crystal Palace side.
Christian Benteke opened the scoring for the away side, getting on the end of Andros Townsend’s cross to fire a header past Kasper Schmeichel.
Wilfried Zaha scored the second on a counter attack after Riyad Mahrez lost possession on the half-way line. The Ivorian got on the end of Benteke’s pass before dribbling round Ben Chilwell and finishing with ease.
Bakary Sako added Palace’ third in stoppage time, breaking on the counter and finishing very well after getting onto Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s pass.
But how did the Foxes’ perform in the defeat?
Goalkeeper
Kasper Schmeichel – 5/10
He will be disappointed with the manner of the goal he conceded, as the Dane positioned himself too far to the right in anticipation that Benteke wouldn’t reach the cross, but if Schmeichel was in the centre of his goal, he would have had a better chance of saving the header.
He did make an outstanding save to stop Leicester from going down 3-0, spreading himself wide and managed to use his thigh to save Benteke’s header at the far post.
Defenders
Danny Simpson – 5/10
The full-back didn’t cover Benteke as he slipped away from Wes Morgan to score the opening goal. He generally did a good job defending the likes of Jeffrey Schlupp, Loftus-Cheek and Zaha as Palace overloaded his flank. However, in possession, he was disappointing and often played the wrong pass.
Wes Morgan – 5/10
Morgan allowed Benteke too much space in the penalty area for the Belgian’s goal. He should have communicated with Simpson as to which player would mark the striker, but that failure to talk to each other led to Leicester going a goal down.
Harry Maguire – 6/10
The England international perhaps came too far across for the second goal, leaving Zaha with only Chilwell to beat before scoring. Harry Maguire made a few unnecessary fouls but didn’t do too much wrong.
Ben Chilwell – 6/10
The newly first-choice left-back looked very good in possession once again and had little to do as the majority of Palace’s attacks came down the opposite flank.
Midfielders
Riyad Mahrez – 5/10
Mahrez was not often allowed to get one-on-one with Schlupp, but he did once at the start of the second half as he breezed past the former Foxes defender before firing a shot that Julian Speroni just managed to tip wide.
Had a quiet game as Palace congested the middle of the park, which meant Mahrez couldn’t cut inside and play his usual game.
Wilfried Ndidi – 3/10
Ndidi received two cards on his 21st birthday, but unfortunately for the midfielder, they were both yellows from referee Martin Atkinson, and the Ivorian was given his marching orders after an hour.
The second yellow was given for diving, which Ndidi can have no complaints about as he did attempt to deceive the referee and get a penalty.
When he was on the field, he came across to double up on Zaha on several occasions and did a great job recognising the threat and nullifying it. Perhaps could have been stronger in the challenge on Benteke in the buildup for the second goal, or even fouled the Belgian.
Vicente Iborra – 4/10
The Spaniard wasn’t able to get into his rhythm on the ball today. Also had a goal disallowed for a push on James Tomkins that on another day could have been given. Subbed off for Shinji Okazaki with 15 minutes remaining.
Demarai Gray – 5/10
Moved to a central role as Shinji Okazaki dropped to the bench following a brace against Southampton but wasn’t able to influence the game in that area as he was often crowded out by James McArthur and Yohan Cabaye.
Next: Leicester City 0-3 Crystal Palace: The major talking points
Marc Albrighton – 4/10
The winger whipped a few good crosses into the penalty area, but generally had a quiet day at the office. He was the player to find Jamie Vardy the most with lobbed through balls, but very little came of them.
Should have conceded a penalty for a foul on Benteke from behind, but fortunately for Albrighton and Leicester, the referee decided against giving a spot kick.
Forwards
Jamie Vardy – 5/10
Once Palace scored their first goal, they were able to defend deeper which didn’t aid Vardy’s game. He was isolated more than usual as Palace did a good job not allowing Vardy to get in behind their defence.