In what was a resilient defensive performance Leicester City picked up a vital point in race for survival, as they drew 0-0 against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Monday night. This point means that the Foxes still have an opportunity to claim their safety on the final day of the season, however they must hope that other results go in their favour as well as take care of their own business at home to West Ham United. Here are the Foxes of Leicester player ratings from Monday’s goalless draw.
Starting XI:
Daniel Iversen: 4
Some might feel like a four is harsh for the Dane, who did in fact make some crucial saves in the second half when City were under fire. However he was extremely fortunate to not have conceded on two separate occasions both from bewildering decision making by the Dane from two corners. Attempting to gather the ball of the six foot seven head of Dan Burn being the first. The second attempting to punch a corner and missing the ball by around half a metre. Both situations city fell fortunate as Callum Wilson couldn’t convert either chance. It was also another really poor demonstration with the 25-year-olds feet. Consistently demonstrating an incapability of playing any accurate long balls, resulting in possession being continuously granted back to the home side.
Timothy Castagne: 7
A brilliant performance by the ever-consistent Belgian after struggling at first with NUFC targeting him. He did about as well as you can do defending a player like Alexander Isak in one-versus-one situations, overall, minus one or two errors; Newcastle create opportunities in abundance down flanks. Yet he stayed disciplined for the entire 90 minutes, and nearly scored an exceptional goal in the final minutes of stoppage time; City’s only shot on goal. A massively important performance, which could very well be season-defining.
Harry Souttar: 7
Against an at times overwhelmingly physical side in Newcastle, Souttar held his own tremendously in aerial battles. Most importantly from the bombardment that was Kieran Trippier in-swinging corners. The instructions were clear do not concede at any cost, he was a huge factor in how that task was completed, a great display.
Jonny Evans: 6
A remarkably gritty 62 minutes displayed by the Foxes’ captain. Not required to build-up from the back for the entire time he was on the pitch, but his experience was vital in LCFC withstanding the constant pressure the home side instilled upon them. Despite clearly not being back to full fitness the Northern Irishman showed great a capacity of fight and effort; something the majority of Leicester fans have been crying out for.
Wout Faes: 6
Dealt with high balls fairly well besides the one corner he nearly put into his own net. He was aggressive when challenging on the edge of his box making it extremely hard for Newcastle forwards to turn and get a shot off. His distribution wasn’t particularly efficient but he had very little opportunity to do so.
Luke Thomas: 5
A decent performance by Thomas given the circumstances. He did a fairly solid job defending the right-hand-side of Miguel Almiron and Trippier, without much opportunity to go forward himself. It would be difficult to critique him too much on anything but defending due to the lack of instances where he was able to get forward. But his attempts when he did so were not particularly successful.
Wilfred Ndidi: 5
Although the Nigerian showed a more disciplined performance defensively, his lack of composure on the ball hurt City the numerous times when they did have a chance to actually counter-attack. However his mobility in the midfield was extremely valuable towards the Foxes keeping a clean sheet.
Youri Tielemans: 5
Really wasteful with his distribution throughout the contest including misplacing the pass through to Harvey Barnes in the final stages of the game. The only time in which Leicester had maintained an attack for any amount of time. The effort level off the ball improved, but what he does best, which is dictating tempo and opening up the opposition defence, was severely lacking.
Boubakary Soumare: 5
A good disciplined showing defensively like much of the side, but also like the rest of his team mates couldn’t capitalise on any occasion when they did have possession on the ball. Simply giving the ball back to the home sides goal-keeper or centre-backs.
Kelechi Iheanacho: 4
Wildly ineffective in his 45 minutes – not though much fault of his own – but when he did have an opportunity to relive some pressure by simply just holding up the ball momentarily very rarely did he hold onto it. Difficult return from injury.
Jamie Vardy: 4
Feeding off scraps would be an overstatement if there ever was one. Leicester’s number nine showed immense effort chasing seemingly hopeless balls into channels, but he received less than no service before he was substituted.
Substitutes:
James Maddison: 4
He had very little chances to create in the second half, due to the situation of the game and the tactical instructions of Dean Smith. When Leicester did have the ball late in the game he did well to relive some pressure and show composure. However due to the game-state his second half cameo was simply ineffective.
Harvey Barnes: 3
Not a great showing off the bench, numerous times the wide player couldn’t keep his footing when he had opportunities to run at his full-back or lead the break. Little to no effect on the game.
Patson Daka: 4
Coming on for Vardy the instructions were very clear chase after loose balls, try and force and error, just create something out of nothing. Surprisingly this could not be achieved by the striker. But a good effort was shown nonetheless.
Nampalys Mendy: 5
Very little time given to effect the game in anyway thus the default five is given.