Leicester City fell to their second defeat of the season yesterday thanks to a last gasp Ross Barkley strike. Here’s how the boys in blue performed.
The Foxes’ fairytale start to the season was handed yet another blow last night, when Ross Barkley’s injury time thunderbolt doomed Leicester City to their second successive defeat in the league.
Prior to the game, many Foxes fans were concerned with Leicester’s ever-growing injury list, fearing the prospect of facing high-flying Villa without a full strength XI. However, there was renewed hope in Brendan Rodgers‘ team selection as he opted for a 4-1-4-1, instead of the conservative 3-4-3 that faltered against West Ham last outing.
The match itself was a scrappy affair, with seemingly endless fouls and seven yellow cards shared between the two sides. Leicester looked to be taking a point late on, until Ross Barkley put the visitors ahead with a hopeful shot from outside of the box in the 91st minute.
All in all, Rodgers’ men defended compactly but struggled to contain Villa captain Jack Grealish all night, while further up the pitch Leicester City’s front three looked devoid of all goal threat without talisman Jamie Vardy. With the East Midlands club’s first European game fast approaching this Thursday, vast improvements are needed across the board if they want to avoid an early exit.
Goalkeeper, defence and midfield:
Kasper Schmeichel- 6
Didn’t have much to do all night and couldn’t have really done much about Barkley’s strike considering the excellent placement. Distribution was better than usual.
Timothy Castagne- 6
His ongoing battle with Jack Grealish was probably the most entertaining part of yesterday’s match, but unfortunately he seemed to be on the losing side of it. Never really looked like he had the England international contained, but was one of Leicester’s better players going forward in the first half, constantly found space on the right wing far up the pitch.
Wesley Fofana- 8 (MOTM for Leicester)
Result aside, an excellent debut for the young Frenchman. Didn’t look out of place one jot in an unfamiliar back four. Excellent in the air, assured in possession and strong in the tackle. Considering Çağlar Söyüncü looks to be out for up to four months, Fofana looks set to nail down a place in the starting XI. A great piece of business for Leicester City and most definitely one for the future.
Jonny Evans- 7
As usual, fairly solid and reliable at the back, did his job well for the most part and couldn’t do anything about the goal. Speaks volumes on Fofana’s quality that he looked the better of the pairing last night, next to such an experience defender.
James Justin- 6
Defensively stronger than usual, but offered no threat whatsoever going forwards. Had a very quiet game, not much to note.
Papy Mendy- 7
Even in Leicester’s last two losing performances, has looked a competent and assured deputy for the injured Wilfred Ndidi. Covered the defence well and was tidy in possession. Hasn’t really had a bad game at all so far this season and definitely shouldn’t have been substituted.
Youri Tielemans- 6
It says a lot about Leicester’s performance last night with how many players are receiving sixes. It wasn’t really a bad performance per se, but too many players (this one included) looked far too pedestrian yesterday, without any sparks on quality to break the deadlock. Very average.
Dennis Praet- 6
Much like his compatriot, a very mediocre performance from him in what was a very mediocre performance from the team on the whole. Got stuck into his tackles, however.
Attack and substitutes:
Ayoze Pérez- 4
If I hadn’t read the team sheet before the game, I’m not sure I would have known this man was playing. As usual, was largely ineffective on the wing and would have been far better if utilised centrally. A square peg in a round hole.
Kelechi Iheanacho- 5
Linked up nicely for the first thirty minutes or so, then much like Pérez, utterly ghosted the rest of the game. Replaced by Islam Slimani in the 71st minute.
Harvey Barnes- 5
His speed and dribbling looked promising on the counter, but lacked the penetration or beating of any player to really make anything happen. Was unfortunately professionally fouled by Matty Cash in the 40th minute in what looked to be a promising attack.
James Maddison- 6
Tried to influence the game after coming on, but couldn’t really make anything happen tonight. Wasn’t too bad, but not up to his usual standard. We can only hope he returns to full fitness soon.
Islam Slimani- 5
Came on for Iheanacho and was similarly ineffective. Much like his first spell at Leicester, it seems the rest of the team were on a different page to this man. Asked too much of him with long balls and didn’t swing enough crosses his way. Baffling.
Hamza Choudhury- 5
Shouldn’t. Have. Came. On. For. Mendy. The Frenchman had a solid game up until this point, with Choudhury’s substitution making the team noticeably weaker, performing the same job less effectively. At fault for the goal due to his failure to track and close down Barkley.