Tuesday night saw Leicester City take on Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup as the Foxes eyed a place in the quarter finals. What followed was a dire defensive performance by City, with Rodgers’ men crashing out in a 2-1 loss.
Put simply, they were second best for 65 minutes; Blackburn’s spirit and determination was there, and they were unlucky to only score twice. After substitute Kelechi Iheanacho scored on the 67th minute it finally woke the side up, but it was too little too late and their Championship visitors managed to see out the victory.
The away side progress to the quarter finals whilst the Foxes are left to lick their wounds and reflect on a poor showing at the King Power. Here’s how Foxes of Leicester rated LCFC’s players.
GK: Daniel Iverson – 6
A far busier evening that the Dane was expecting, he made an outstanding save in the first half to deny Blackburn the lead. His positioning for the opener has been put into question and rightfully so. Whilst Dolan’s shot was curling, Iverson should have been in a better place to get something on the ball.
The second half followed the same, some good saves but also some worrying errors. Not a performance that will see him challenging for Ward’s spot on Saturday, but signs of promise.
RB: Ricardo Pereira – 5
His first start of the season was marred by a bad defensive performance. He was targeted by Rovers, but they enjoyed so much space on his right flank. Ricardo seemed more focus on attack, but his rustiness showed with several wayward early efforts.
He was partly to blame for the second goal which decided the tie, not getting anything on his man or the ball. Replaced by Castagne on the 72nd minute, it will be a while until Ricardo is back to his 2019/20 best.
CB: Daniel Amartey – 3
Similar to Ricardo, Rovers targeted Amartey’s side of defence seeing him as an avenue of attack, and they were right to do so. Directly set up the opener with a shambolic ball which was never on and was outmuscled for the second goal.
He hit the post from a corner in extra time as he almost equalised, but the damage he did was already done. Souttar will replace him on Saturday no doubt. At this rate he’ll be lucky to see his contract renewed for next season. A really bad night for him.
CB: Wout Faes – 6
Compared to Amartey he had a much better game. Great use of his physicality and body placement to keep Blackburn out early in the first half. The Belgian was the best of the back four and was let down by his colleagues.
LB: Luke Thomas – 3
Lucky to receive as high as a 3, Thomas had an appalling time at the back. Misplaced passes that went out for throw-ins, an early booking, and guilty of choosing all the wrong options on the pitch, it was a performance that cemented his need for a loan.
Should have never played in the second half, but the 12 minutes of action were exactly the same. Hooked for the superior Kristansen on the 57th minute.
CDM: Boubakary Soumare – 4
A really frustrating evening for the Frenchman. Used as the defensive midfielder, he was at the heart of Leicester’s problems. Frequently missed passes and gave up possession, he was lucky not to directly contribute to a Blackburn goal – a silly flick and pass gave the ball directly to the opponents in Leicester’s box but the chance was missed.
His performance highlighted just how good Papy Mendy has been in the last few weeks and the Senegal international replaced Soumare after 72 minutes. Not the showing of confidence Rodgers needed in the wake of Tielemans’ injury.
CM: Dennis Praet – 6.5
One of the Foxes’ best players in the first half, Praet stepped up in the absence of Maddison and Tielemans. Around the pitch his passing was solid enough but was guilty of poor set-piece deliveries.
He could have put his side 1-0 up with an early sight of goal but couldn’t place his shot either side of the ‘keeper. Perhaps harshly hooked in place of Iheanacho on the 57th minute.
CM: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 6.5
He found it difficult to get involved with the game to begin with but grew into the first half with his trademark physicality. In the second half he quietened down a bit and his set-piece delivery was lacking until extra time. A mixed display for the midfielder.
RW: Tete – 5
After such an impressive debut, hopes were high for our first-ever Brazilian. Unfortunately though, it was another quiet night for the winger. He had one or two flashes of brilliant dribbling, but as the game progressed, his involvement lessened. Taken off after 72 minutes for Daka.
ST: Jamie Vardy (C) – 6
Vardy’s goal-drought continues, and he had several chances to end it tonight. Captaining the side, he pressed high early on, but his efforts were in vain. Chose to shoot when he should have passed and visa-versa. He desperately needs a goal to boost his confidence. Lucky to not be subbed off.
LW: Harvey Barnes – 6
Credit to Blackburn, for the most-part they marshalled the winger well, frequently putting two defenders close to him so he couldn’t cross the ball in. In the few moments the game was broken up, he caused havoc, including a great mazing run and pass that was tapped home by Iheanacho.
Guilty of wasting several chances by deciding to try the Hail Mary shot rather than continue the build-up play. A mixed bag for the winger.
Leicester City substitutes:
Victor Kristensen – 6
Brought on for Thomas on the 56th and shored up the defence on the left flank. He didn’t put many feet wrong and produced some good through-balls. Another promising showing.
Timothy Castagne – 6
Replaced Ricardo on the 72nd and was much better than the Portuguese. Perhaps it was the pattern of the game, but his presence reduced the threat of Blackburn’s attack down his channel. Will start on Saturday.
Papy Mendy – 6.5
Brought on too late to fix Soumare’s mess in midfield, Mendy made immediate impact on the midfield. Not only a strong base in defence, he also produced some great forward passing and runs. Nearly doubled his goal tally for the club with a scorching effort that went just wide of the goal. The only downside was a silly foul given away in extra time that wasted one last Foxes chance at the dying moments.
Kelechi Iheanacho – 7*
Brought on for Praet in the 56th, Leicester’s Mr. FA Cup produced the goods again with a tap-in to give his side hope of a comeback. Produced several more moments that could have resulted in goals as well as strong dribbling and passing.
For the 40 minutes he was on the pitch he was Leicester’s best player and will hope to add to his goal tally against Southampton on Saturday.
Patson Daka – N/A
Replaced Tete on 72 as Foxes looked for an equaliser but he never had a chance on goal. Aside from a run or two he didn’t have any real impact on the game and was crowded out by the other two strikers on the pitch.