For the third season in a row, Leicester City lost at home to Manchester City without registering a goal. So who were the players that left the game looking strong and who might be worrying about their place in the team?
(Note: a rating of 7 indicates an acceptable performance)
KASPER SCHMEICHEL – 6
A strange one for the big Dane, made plenty of decent saves but ultimately it was a poor kick that gifted possession and led to the winning goal. Distribution was back to poor levels again with the caveat that it needs to be perfect against the likes of Manchester City if you’re to have any success.
TIMOTHY CASTAGNE – 7
Surprisingly selected ahead of Ricardo Pereira, the masked Belgian had a decent game with a tricky task having to marshal the £100million pound man Jack Grealish. He stuck to his task well and limited him mainly to crosses but was unable to add any serious attacking threat with defensive shape taking priority.
JANNIK VESTERGAARD – 7
The first Leicester City start for Kaspers ‘Danish friend’ was a promising full debut. He looked assured on the ball, incredibly strong and threw himself desperately in front of chances. Also offered physical presence on set-pieces which Leicester City have been sorely lacking.
CAGLAR SOYUNCU – 7
A much needed decent display from ‘Cags’ which he’d been desperate for after a disastrous international appearance in the Netherlands. He looked calm, made a goal-saving tackle and won decent headers. His only clumsy moment was wiping out Jack Grealish.
RYAN BERTRAND – 7
The first appearance for Bertrand after a COVID enforced absence. Looked typically decent throughout but struggled with Gabriel Jesus drifting in from the right. Unable to get forward much.
WILFRED NDIDI – 7
A typically combative midfield performance with some progressive forward runs thrown in for good measure. He offered more attacking threat and had Jamie Vardy’s knee cap not been offside he could have had an assist to his name.
YOURI TIELEMANS – 6
Not the best day for the midfield talisman. Too often he was giving the ball away in a sloppy fashion and was easily dispossessed. Not one for the scrapbook.
HARVEY BARNES – 6
Still not at the levels, he was at last season but you feel a goal could change that. He was denied early on by some excellent Kyle Walker defending and hit the bar with a header second half. He still seemed too scared of attacking Kyle Walker out wide. He’ll need to show more belief in his abilities sooner rather than later with an impressive left-sided sub ready to take his spot.
MARC ALBRIGHTON – 5
Given a start after a decent performance and winning goal at Carrow Road. He looked a little out of his depth running down the wing and was beaten for pace frequently. He still showed some decent crossing abilities but not enough to threaten.
JAMES MADDISON – 5
Notable by how quiet he is in games now. Too few times he is creating chances for forward players which is a problem as that is ultimately his job. Off the ball, he offers little aggression with his pressing. His manager is showing him patience, unfortunately some of the Leicester fans have lost their’s with a few (unnecessary) boos as he was subbed off.
JAMIE VARDY – 7
Vardy’s early season form is showing promise. Made some trademark runs in behind and down the wings, laying a chance on for Harvey Barnes early in the game. Were it not for a knobbly knee he may have got away with a tight offside call and had a third goal to his season’s tally.
SUBS
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN – 7
Looked very promising and provided the attacking intent that Barnes struggled to find. Had the only shot on target pulling a decent save from Ederson and made some tricky runs. Would be good to see him on the right to give the team more balance.
KELECHI IHEANACHO – 7
Another typically aggressive and positive performance from ‘Seniorman’ (who’d have thought that could have been said back in January). He set up Lookmas chance and was a constant pest in the small game time afforded to him. Last season’s top scorer has to be starting games soon and reverting back to his previous partnership with Vardy.
JONNY EVANS – 6
Great to see him back playing with his experience sorely lacking in defence since his absence. Still getting up to full speed and a hard half an hour to judge him against considering some of the best players in the Premier League he was up against.