After what felt like a long international break, Leicester City were back in Premier League action at the King Power Stadium. This time the visitors were local rivals Nottingham Forest. Like Leicester, they haven’t had a great start to the season with after four straight defeats.
This was a must-win game for the two teams as both managers were under scrutiny after a poor run of form since the start of the campaign. Brendan Rodgers made one change up front from the Tottenham Hotspur game, replacing Patson Daka with Jamie Vardy.
It was an exciting first half with some lovely LCFC play going forward. This marvellous display included goals for Harvey Barnes and James Maddison. Half-time came and Leicester were, incredibly, 3-0 up! In the second half, cracks started to show with City looking uneasy at times, but a goal from Daka sealed the well-needed victory for the Foxes.
Leicester City goalkeepers and defenders
Danny Ward: 7 – I thought the under pressure goalkeeper responded well to recent critics by earning himself a well-needed clean sheet. Although there were still some nervy, heart in mouth moments, as he was slow to come off his line many times but he did still make a few decent saves too.
Timothy Castagne :7 – Constantly up and down the wing, dealt well under pressure when Ward didn’t come forward for a loose ball.
Jonny Evans : 6 – Worked well alongside Faes, made a few mistakes at times with dodgy headers and passes but overall a decent game and his first clean sheet as City captain.
Wout Faes: 7 – Think he’s going to become a fan favourite, he showed immense passion in his home debut, it was nice to see he wasn’t afraid to go forward himself with the ball if there was nothing in front of him.
James Justin: 7 – Had a good attempt in front of goal, was unlucky not to score but won a corner, linked up well with Barnes, at one point he had time to bring the ball down but aimlessly headed it into nowhere.
Midfielders
Wilfred Ndidi: 7 – Whilst only lasting for 45 minutes he was very calm on the ball whilst chasing down players and putting in those all important tackles.
Youri Tielemans: 7 – Played some nice passes to help the Foxes’ attack and to aid in the build up to some good chances in front of goal.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: 8 – Unlucky not to score the header early on from six yards out, showed incredible passion, non-stop chasing the ball down and putting in strong tackles on the Forest players, could tell he wanted a goal, was a shame it wasn’t to be for the Leicester lad.
Attackers
James Maddison: 9 – Incredible, his passion was visible from start to finish, his free kick was superb, footwork – outstanding and his goals weren’t too bad either. Southgate are you watching?
Jamie Vardy: 7 – He got close a few times in front of goal and was unfortunate for them not to go in the back of the net, made a great run in from deep, but yet still no goals so far in the 2022/23 EPL season.
Harvey Barnes: 8 – Still refusing to go round the back and instead cuts inside on his favoured left foot, absolutely stunning and precise but classic Barnes goal.
Substitutions
Boubakary Soumare: 7 – Played some nice passes going forward as well as running with the ball but also working hard defensively and making solid tackles.
Patson Daka: 7.5 – Outrageous flick to skilfully put the ball in the back of Dean Henderson’s net, looked dangerous going forward and was full of confidence.
Dennis Praet: 6 – Was nice to see him play, didn’t have much of an impact on the game but helped us to see the game out.
Marc Albrighton: N/A – Couldn’t give him a rating as wasn’t on the pitch for long enough to make enough of an impact.
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