Huddersfield Town 1-4 Leicester City: Match report, player ratings

In conclusion this was a very competitive contest as the Yorkshire outfit attempted to put Leicester City off their game by being more combative than quality. In fact, if Mooy amongst others got on the ball an increased amount before Vardy’s first, it may well have been a different outcome.

First of all the game plan from Rodgers was perfect: keep a tight defensive line fairly high with Ndidi as the roving, dogged retriever. Attack at pace on the counter and move thoughtfully forward through fullbacks, Maddison and Tielemans.

Another solid performance came collectively from Leicester’s defence, they defended with urgency and virility. In addition to making appropriately swift through balls, short passes and forward thinking steps. As usual Ben Chilwell as well as Ricardo Pereira provided overlaps from the fullback positions.

Leicester City player ratings

We consulted WhoScored for statistical assistance for our player ratings’, and to give a better overview of the displays.

Kasper Schmeichel 8.5

Schmeichel made some very efficient stops today. One of his saves was world-class – if Huddersfield buried it the match outcome could’ve differed. Rodgers rightly labelled his goalkeeper as an important part of forward moves: due to the Dane’s superb distribution, roughly. Yet the clash reminded us that the wayward, speculative but promising passes needs to be refined somewhat.

Ben Chilwell 8

We would again like to see more from Chilwell in the final third, he seems able to drift from games when someone of his calibre should be screaming for the ball offensively, along with defensively. Great in the air as normal, tough in the tackle too. Positioning through anticipation is improving. Did enough.

Wes Morgan 9

Morgan was almost faultless this match, as he was in the last three or four outings. It was a shame he couldn’t add another stunning goal to his impressive notches of late.

Caglar Soyuncu 8.5

We’ll leave it to our new recruit Dominic Wells to expertly sum up Soyuncu’s efforts:

"“Soyuncu has shown great positional awareness, confident ball-player: Short, long and carrying. “Hot headed, decision-making sometimes questionable, however, it’s easier to fix the mental side of his game, than teach the technical game. Potential to be a future star.”"

Ricardo Pereira 7.5

Usually the East Midlands side’s flying, aggressively advanced thinking Ricardo causes lots of problems for his opponents. However this game he was quiet in the opposition’s half. His defending was satisfactory once more with a single tackle, interception and clearance. One foul means he was not ferocious enough arguably. Still, the Portuguese is probably the most outstanding player overall this term.

Wilfred Ndidi 8

Thankfully Ndidi’s range of passing is increasing in accuracy. Turnovers were a massive issue there. He’s also been one of the most outstanding contributors in recent times. Versus the Terriers he didn’t quite make the same incredible contribution – ultimately because the lack of threat provided means he didn’t have to!

Youri Tielemans 9

A class act. It’s imperative that the club does everything to obtain him on a permanent basis; £40 million is a snip for this midfield genius. 84 per cent passing rate – including key passes and long-range switches – three tackles, one interception and one clearance. In fact the AS Monaco man only lost the ball twice. In transition he’s a master at a tender age.

James Maddison 9

Started a bit lethargically but grew to a great standard as per. His set pieces are consistently better; if directly at goal it’s never disappointing. With 95 per cent passing accuracy, and three key balls through it was another standout input. Maddison is at best when dribbling – four successful attempts today – and when drawing fouls in dangerous areas which he managed four times as well.

Harvey Barnes 8

Barnes looks such a threat when he runs at an opponent, making them commit, make mistakes and eventually allowing him to play the one-two or a put a quality mid-height cross in the box. Yet he’s been unlucky not to get more assists and finishes to his name.

This productivity will materialise despite the 21-year-old not fashioning one shooting opportunity on the day. But with a mere 25 touches, Rodgers or the Young Lion must develop a way to get the player frequently involved.

Demarai Gray 7

When Gray goes directly at a defender, or midfielder from deep, it causes extensive difficulties for their defenders. Not to mention pulling them out of position and opening up gaps for teammates to explore and exploit. Unfortunately this just didn’t happen enough, again.

Under his fourth Leicester City boss, Gray has to finally prove that a mandatory starting place is his. He didn’t quite manage this in spite of two shots on target. Being dispossessed in three instances and an equal amount of turnovers isn’t adequately careful.

Jamie Vardy 9 (Man of the Match)

Vardy is pretty much guaranteed a seven rating at least for his intensely passionate fervent showings. His anticipated running off the ball is also a lesson to young wannabe strikers.

Probably should’ve had a hat-trick on this occasion but a brace and excellent link-up play secures him a 9, just; he is clinical at present without being prolific. Top-class, non-stop movement play from the former England hitman enables his colleagues’ to benefit too.

Shinji Okazaki 8.5 (substitute)

To be honest we don’t always cover the subs but Okazaki was frantically measured; a complementary effort at describing it. This endeavour from the Japanese was exactly what was necessary for the moment of his introduction. Everywhere, tackling and playing the simple pass. Nutmegging Mooy will have felt great too!

Next up for the Foxes is Newcastle United on Friday 12 April. The Magpies are certainly involved in the scrap to avoid being a Championship club in 2019/20. Therefore the North East side will fight for the points. While Leicester have their eyes dead set on the possibility of a Europa League place through seventh in the top-flight.