Leicester City got back to winning ways with a well-deserved win against Fulham to move them up to third in the Premier League.
All the work was done in the first half as the Foxes controlled the game and took the lead at the quarter of the hour mark as Kelechi Iheanacho silenced the doubters with a beautiful header from James Maddison’s inch perfect cross
And then James Justin further staked his claim for an England spot, as Maddison found himself through on goal, slowed himself down and set up the young left back who rounded the keeper on his way to score his second of the season.
Thankfully for City fans, the second half was a snooze fest as Brendan Rodgers’ side expertly saw out the game to move them into the top three.
Everyone played their part in the victory, but who impressed in the player ratings?
Kasper Schmeichel- 7
The captain had only one thing to do in the whole game, but it arguably won the game for Leicester City. With the score at 1-0, Ola Aina had a free header but Schmeichel was wise to it and acrobatically tipped it over the bar. With the Foxes controlling games more and more, the Dane will have to produce similar performances for the rest of the season.
Ricardo Pereira- 7
No one is getting less than a 7 today.
Ricardo is showing us signs that he is very nearly at full fitness. Tricky dribbles, crunching tackles, and great runs were all on show tonight as he completed his first full 90 minutes in 10 months. After all the talk about Ricardo struggling to find a way back in, it could be Timothy Castagne that might lose out.
Jonny Evans- 7
A typical Evans performance at Craven Cottage. Calm in possession and calm out of it, as he mopped whatever Fulham could throw at him.
Caglar Soyuncu- 7
I was very calm watching the match just knowing that the Evans-Soyuncu partnership was back. The big Turk was assured at the back and was composed on the ball and looked threatening from set pieces. Very solid.
James Justin- 8
The inform full-back had a sloppy first 10 minutes but after that he defended well and started advancing up the pitch and contributing to attacks. The England Under 21 international then took his goal like a veteran striker and probably surprised a few that he was so far up.
Hamza Choudhury- 8
Rodgers surprised many with his selection as the youngster got a rare start but he didn’t disappoint. He got about the pitch very well and as ever was tenacious when faced up to an opponent. He was substituted at the hour mark due to lack of minutes recently but it was solid performance that laid the foundations for the victory and one that showed Leicester City fans that he still has a big role to play at the club.
Youri Tielemans- 8
When did Youri Tielemans morph into the Belgian Roy Keane! The midfielder has added steel to his silky play, and it is quickly making him one of the most complete midfielders in the division. Tonight, he was controlling everything the Foxes were doing and then in the second half when Fulham upped the ante he was strong in every challenge and won most of his battles. What a player.
James Maddison-9 MOTM
I was glad that Iheanacho got the man of the match award but I personally thought that Maddison deserved it. He is having an incredible season, one that he’s only been fully fit for half of it. Tonight, his two assists topped him up to 13 goal contributions in the League and it was the quality of the assists that really stood out. A pin-point cross for the first and then the calmness of the second after realising he didn’t have the pace to run free, he slowed the play down and waited for support. Everything else around his game was to be expected. Are you watching Gareth Southgate?!
Ayoze Perez- 7
The Spainaird looked more comfortable in that inside right position rather than as a focal point up top. He held the ball expertly and his link up play with Ricardo gave me goose bumps as it was reminiscent of last season. From not being the in the squad, Perez is now a key member of the starting 11.
Harvey Barnes- 7
He was definitely City’s quietest player tonight. It wasn’t a game for the conventional winger which meant that the youngster was on the periphery for much of the match, but with a recent hot streak you can’t blame him for a quiet game.
Kelechi Iheanacho- 8
I was getting really uncomfortable with the level of criticism the Nigerian was getting from his own fans with his poor performance against Palace last month, but boy did he silence them. Iheanacho was lively and linked up well with those around him, and when the key moment came, he buried his header. The striker’s game is very complete he just needs a confidence boost every now and then and this will do him the world of good.
Substitutes:
Papy Mendy, Marc Albrighton, Dan Amartey- All 6
Mendy did what he was asked to do albeit for half an hour, same for Albrighton. Amartey was brought on as Leicester shifted to a back three, but was never troubled.