Leicester 2-0 Stoke: Foxes player ratings

Leicester City tightened their grip over first place with a 2-0 victory against struggling Stoke City, equalling a record start to the Championship season. Stoke’s low block lasted for 24 minutes before Iheanacho found the smallest of gaps in the Potters’ defence. From then on, Leicester City dominated and controlled proceedings with only the occasional scare. Whilst things were slightly nervy at 1-0, Jamie Vardy deservedly wrapped up the game for Leicester with 10 minutes to go.

Here’s how the players rated:

Leicester City goalkeeper and defenders

Mads Hermansen 7- had very little to do but was very assured with his passing as usual. Such an asset to have a confident ball-playing goalkeeper.

Ricardo Pereira: 8- another classy performance, where the Portuguese looks a cut above. Provided a classy assist for Kelechi Iheanacho, which cut through Stoke’s tightly packed low block.

Jannick Vestergaard: 9 (MOTM)- A majestic display to the team highlights just how important he is. So good on the ball and could have had a couple of assists after some sublime passes.  A booking was the only blemish on an otherwise faultless display.

Harry Souttar: 7- An assured performance after being out in the cold. Aggressive when he needed to be but Stoke offered so little in attack he just needed to recirculate the ball. It’s good to see how good Leicester’s squad depth is.

Hamza Choudhury: 7- Showed his versatility by slotting into a hitherto unfamiliar left-back role. A lapse in concentration nearly cost a goal, but otherwise, he won every duel and tackle and hardly gave the ball away.

Midfielders and attackers

Harry Winks: 8- So crucial to how Leicester City want to play under Enzo Maresca. Always makes himself available and 99 times out of 100 he makes the right pass.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: 7- Not as brilliant as he has been in the past, which says a lot about the high standards he’s set himself. Was not involved as usual and missed a glorious one-on-one by taking too long.

Cesare Casadei: 7- Much better from the Italian who kept his footing much better than in previous outings. His strength in duels and his runs allowed Leicester City to maintain pressure.

Abdul Fatawu: 7- Not as dynamic as he has been in the past, largely due to how deep Stoke defended. Still involved in the lead-up to several chances with bursts of speed and key passes. Let down by his decision-making a couple of times, but what an exciting player he is.

Kelechi Iheanacho: 8- Excellent, after impressing off the bench in the last two games. Took his goal really well and offered so much in the build-up, dropping deep and spinning in behind defenders.

Yunus Akgun: 7- Another solid display from the Turkish winger who has already set himself apart from Cengiz Under through his relentless work-rate. He retained the ball well and had a couple of half-chances, but wasn’t as involved in Leicester’s most incisive play.

Substitutes:

Wilfried Ndidi: 7- Heavily involved in the game, setting up Jamie Vardy’s assist with an intelligent run and cross-cum-shot. Could have scored two goals himself but was let down by technical limitations. Still really effective though, using his physicality and intelligence to find space and cause havoc.

Jamie Vardy: 7- Scored almost instantly after coming off the bench, producing a trademark wind-up celebration. Definitely improved in his hold-up play dropping between the lines which is great to see.

Stephy Mavididi: 6- Some nice touches but not heavily involved or as effective as he can be.

Conor Coady: 6- Came on when the game was already won.

Marc Albrighton: 6- Same as Coady, not enough time to make a proper impact.