Leicester City sealed qualification to the semi-finals of a European competition for the first time in club-history after a spirited come-back win against PSV Eindhoven.
After a draw in the first-leg, there was all to play for in Eindhoven and the game got off to the worst possible start for the Foxes as Eran Zahavi opened the scoring in the 27th minute for PSV. However, a second-half fightback including two late goals for Leicester meant that the Foxes earned a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final.
Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel – 7
The Leicester shot-stopper made a couple of big saves in the first half, but wasn’t tested for much of the second half. He was unlucky with the goal that he did concede with Zahavi’s shot taking a deflection off Jonny Evans.
Ricardo Pereira – 8
Ricardo Pereira looks like the player that he was two years ago before his horrid injury-run. The Portuguese defender seemed confident at the back and wasn’t troubled much while he regularly contributed to Leicester’s attacking play.
Pereira was beaten on occasion defensively, but overall put in a solid performance. His game was highlighted when he found himself in the right place at the right time to score the winner off the back of Patson Daka’s saved shot.
Jonny Evans – 6.5
It wasn’t the Northern Irishman’s best day at the office. He was beaten in a couple of challenges and made a mistake in the first half that nearly led to a goal.
However, there were still some positives from his game, his presence in the box and heading ability nearly led to a goal from a set-piece in the first half. He stood strong at the back for the majority of the game and in the end wasn’t tested much in the second half as Leicester took control of the game. Evans could also consider himself unlucky that he was unable to get a big enough deflection to stop PSV from scoring.
Wesley Fofana – 8
The Blue Army has missed seeing Wesley Fofana in the backline this season. “Little Wes” reminded Leicester City fans why he was one of the star players that led to LCFC winning the FA Cup last year.
Fofana nearly headed home a goal in the first half but was unable to keep the ball down. Throughout the game he seemed confident with the ball at his feet moving the ball at a fast-pace and was solid defensively.
The French defender made a number of tackles and key interceptions to regularly bring any opposing attack to a halt.
The only minor blip in his game was when he almost diverted a long-range strike into Schmeichel’s goal in the 53rd minute, but aside from that, it was another impressive performance from Fofana.
Timothy Castagne – 8
Timothy Castagne was superb in attack, much like his fellow fullback, Ricardo Pereira. Castagne made a slight error in the first half when he left Mario Gotze open at the back post in the 14th minute.
However, Schmeichel was able to save Castagne from his blushes with a great save. The Belgian defender was solid for the rest of the game, with his link-up play causing the PSV defence all sorts of issues.
When Ademola Lookman entered the game, the pair were almost unstoppable on the left-hand side.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 7.5
The academy graduate never seems to have a bad game. Since breaking into the side this season Dewsbury-Hall has always put in a solid contribution and this game was no exception.
He linked up brilliantly with Lookman and Castagne as Leicester City pushed for the win. He played a great pass in behind the PSV defence for Lookman in the lead-up to Pereira’s winner.
Dewsbury-Hall’s energy across the pitch is very reminiscent of the days that N’golo Kante was a Fox. The 23-year-old’s stamina levels are incredible as he never seems to tire, constantly applying pressure in defence and creating chances in attack whenever possible.
Youri Tielemans – 6
The Belgian was to blame for the opening goal of the game when he made a terrible pass in the defensive third which was easily intercepted. He quickly put that behind him when played a great long-range pass towards Castagne which nearly led to a goal for the Foxes.
Tielemans has definitely had better games for LCFC. After his error he seemed to steady and had more of an impact on the game.
However, it was still a game that the Belgian would want to move on from quickly as he was outshone by his teammates who put in some star performances on the night.
James Maddison – 9
On the topic of star performances, Maddison was superb for the entirety of the game. The 25-year-old nearly scored in the first half when his shot took a deflection, but it was cleared off the line by Jordan Teze.
Maddison became even more difficult to handle in the second half as he created chances for himself and others. His infectious enthusiasm on the ball was felt and lifted the Foxes late in the game.
His efforts were finally rewarded when Ayoze Perez presented the Coventry-born midfielder with a great chance inside the penalty area. ‘Madders’ made no mistake as he slotted home the equaliser to turn the tides of the game and put the East Midlands side in the box seat.
That goal was the one-time England international’s 14th of the season as he continues to prove himself as one of Leicester City’s best players this season.
Marc Albrighton – 6
A quiet game for Albrighton. He helped create a couple of opportunities in the first half but failed to have a massive impact on the game before he was subbed off.
Harvey Barnes – 5
A disappointing game for the 24-year-old. He had a great opportunity to open to scoring in the first half, but he skewed his shot wide of the far-post. His game didn’t get much better as his decision-making in the final third came into question before being subbed off for Lookman.
Kelechi Iheanacho – 8
The Nigerian striker can consider himself extremely unlucky to not have two assists next to his name after he created some great chances for LCFC. His passing was superb as he created a brilliant opportunity for Barnes in the first half which was squandered.
He then played a great lofted-through ball to Daka in the 62nd minute that also should have resulted in a goal, but yet again, the shot failed to trouble the keeper.
Ademola Lookman – 8.5
Sign him up! The Nigerian international has improved in leaps and bounds since joining the Foxes on loan this season.
Lookman was one of the players to change the game when he was introduced by Brendan Rodgers. He linked-up superbly with Castagne and Dewsbury-Hall, while creating chances for himself and teammates inside the box.
He could have had two assists as he provided two great chances in the final 10 minutes. The first was a low-cross to Perez who had his shot turned away by an inspired Yvon Mvogo.
The second chance was a pass to Daka, who had his shot saved before Pereira scored off the rebound. If Lookman continues his recent form, then it will be very difficult for Rodgers to not have him as first-choice left-winger going forward.
Patson Daka – 6
The Zambian striker was unable to find the back of the net after failing to score off two great chances in the second half. However, his movement in the box and runs in behind the defence were enough to put the pressure on PSV as the Foxes tried to turn the tides late in the game.
Ayoze Perez – 8.5
Leicester City’s forgotten man staked his claim to Rodgers in a sublime game off the bench. Many members of the Blue Army would have been questioning the 49-year-old’s decision to replace Iheanacho with Perez, but it ultimately payed off.
The first impact that Perez had on the game was a great piece of individual skill to beat a defender before squaring to Maddison who fired home the equaliser. It wouldn’t take long for the former Newcastle forward to impact the game again as he nearly gave the Foxes the lead in the 83rd minute when his volley from the edge of the six-yard-box was by Mvogo. With questions surrounding his future at the King Power Stadium, this performance was exactly what is needed from Perez if he is to continue playing for the Foxes.