Leicester City failed to replicate this season’s earlier performance at Elland Road, instead falling to a 1-3 defeat to Marcelo Bielsa’s men.
The Foxes fell to their first defeat of 2021 today, as Leicester City were bested once again on home turf. Despite a positive start opening the scoring, Leicester’s defence never looked comfortable all game, allowing an instant response from Stuart Dallas just minutes later.
Two disallowed goals later, the first half finished all square, with Leicester opting to move to a back three in the second. This additional defensive solidity appeared to have done the trick with Leicester looking the likeliest of the two teams to score next, but a sensational finish from Patrick Bamford put Leeds ahead.
With Leicester chasing the game and Leeds under pressure, chance after chance fell to the home side but they couldn’t find the quality to convert. Leicester would soon pay for their failings as Bamford once again broke for the visitors, delivering an unmissable chance to Jack Harrison, who sealed the game for The Whites.
Goalkeeper
Kasper Schmeichel- 7
Made some fine stops in the first half to keep Leicester in the game, including a miraculous effort to deflect Patrick Bamford’s goal-bound header off the line. Let down by his defence on all three of Leeds’ goals, with Stuart Dallas’ equaliser the only one with a possibility of the Dane saving.
Leicester City’s defence and midfield
Timothy Castagne- 5
Didn’t really look fully fit today, and was subsequently revealed to be nursing a groin injury that resulted in his substitution 2/3 through the first half.
Wesley Fofana- 6
A difficult game for the young Frenchman, Fofana appeared to struggle against Leeds’ relentless high press. Unconvincing in defence, but had some redeeming moments in advancing the ball up the pitch.
Jonny Evans- 5
A poor performance considering the Northern Irishman’s usually high standards. Was caught out of position far too many times, allowing The Whites the space in behind to challenge Schmeichel’s goal. Really should have scored in the second half, too.
James Justin- 5
For his efforts, Justin seemed unable to have an effect on the game at either end of the pitch even after moving to wing-back, while providing little in terms of defensive cover. Hard to tell he was on the pitch at times.
Papy Mendy- 6
Today’s was a game he was always going to struggle with. Frequently bullied in the centre of midfield, Mendy didn’t really emulate absentee Wilfred Ndidi’s dominance but was a key part in Leicester City’s ability to play out of Leeds’ high press. Though he failed to deliver a stellar performance, the Foxes would have struggled even more without him.
Youri Tielemans- 7
A quiet game for him in the centre of the park, Tielemans did well in his personal battles and frequently attempted to advance the ball with the intention of threatening Illan Meslier’s goal. However, without a recognised striker to aim for, this was never going to result in goal contributions.
Attack and substitutes
James Maddison- 7
One of Leicester City’s better performers today, Maddison linked up superbly with Barnes for the game’s opener and consistently found strong attacking positions. If everybody was on his wavelength today it would’ve been a very different game indeed.
Marc Albrighton- 6
I’ve spoken recently about how important Albrighton is to this team, but I can’t help feeling that starting him was the wrong option today. Leicester’s No.11 works best as a supporting player, and with no Jamie Vardy, Cengiz Ünder should have been give the nod to day to increase the Foxes’ attacking threat. That said, he tried in earnest to trouble Leeds’ defence, but seemed to pick the wrong option at times.
Harvey Barnes- 7
Much like Maddison, Harvey Barnes seemed to be one of the only City players with some attacking intent today. Found ample space down the left hand side and made some excellent runs from deep but always received the ball too late to do anything with it.
Ayoze Pérez- 5
Failing to trouble Marcelo Bielsa’s back four whatsoever, it’s miracle that the Spaniard was allowed to play the full 90. Though the same can be said of Jamie Vardy at times, the Englishman’s reputation and penetrating runs alone draw space for team mates, whereas Pérez seemed to drop deeper and deeper as the game went on, with Maddison often ahead of the centre-forward at times. With a performance like that, Kelechi Iheanacho is sure to get some minutes soon.
Ricardo Pereira- 6
Came on for the injured Castagne and played his best football after moving to wing-back, making some good runs on both the outside and inside of left-back Ezgjan Alioski. It’s good to see him approaching full fitness, and considering Leicester City’s strength at full-back, I’d like to see him play in an advanced role more often.
Çağlar Söyüncü- 6
Despite conceding two goals in the second half, I believe that Leicester looked stronger with a back three this afternoon. Of course, this can’t all be attributed to the Turk, but to me he looked like the most composed of the three today.
Cengiz Ünder- 6
Too little too late for Söyüncü’s compatriot, as once again the winger was introduced far too late in the game to impact it. Should have been introduced much earlier today, as in the absence of Jamie Vardy he’s one of the few players in the squad with a true directness to his game.