Crystal Palace 1-1 Leicester: 3 things we learned

Kelechi Iheanacho missed a massive opportunity

You won’t hear many bad words being said about Kelechi by me, he’s a wonderful finisher and his overall play has improved greatly in the last 12 months. That being said i’m about to go against my first sentence. This season the Nigerian’s performances in Europe have been very fruitful with goals and assists aplenty, his Premier League time has been limited so to get a first start for 2 months was a wonderful opportunity.

Almost as wonderful as the opportunity afforded him on the 19th minute as Leicester were given a penalty after Luke Thomas was fouled. This was the tenth penalty given to the foxes this season and wasn’t the first missed either as Jamie Vardy would admit. But the complete lack of conviction on his staggered run up phased him as Guaita stared him down and easily saved a poorly placed spot kick.

Ironically, exactly a year ago Demarai Gray missed a penalty at West Ham, but he made amends by scoring the winning goal. Kelechi missed an easy header not long after the penalty save and other than some neat link up play and a bizarrely missed foul on him by Tyrick Mitchell, his contribution waned into nothing before he was subbed on the 72nd minute. Rodgers demeanour towards Iheanacho does seem one of frustration on the touchline. After the game Rodgers did champion Kelechi’s penalty taking ability in training, but he also mentioned that getting that early goal was the key to getting three points at Selhurst Park, by not getting it only gave Palace hope where they shouldn’t really have had any.

Regardless of whether Iheanacho stuck away a couple of goals today he would still have been second fiddle to Jamie Vardy. But the real question still to be answered is who Leicester’s No.9 in the future might be. After todays game it’s unlikely that Iheanacho will be top of Brendan Rodgers list.