Leicester City Player Ratings: Crystal Palace (H)
A game that Leicester dominated for the most part, but once again the failure in finishing chances and defensive slip-ups threw the game away. A familiar tale.
Palace’s opener came against the run of play. Leicester were dominating the game when James McArthur picked up the ball and fired a shot from over thirty yards out which took a big deflection off of forward Michy Batshuayi and left Schmeichel helpless.
Leicester will have felt unlucky to be behind at the half, the visitors barely had a sniff of goal in the opening forty-five minutes. Once again the Foxes were failing to capitalise on their chances and paying for it.
The second half started with the same theme, but this time Leicester finally found their way to goal. Barnes scuffed shot falls to Jonny Evans near the penalty spot to smash into the top corner.
The game wasn’t level for long, poor marking from the Leicester defence left Zaha free to finish off a McArthur cross to put Palace 2-1 up, and it didn’t get much better from there.
Evans brings down former Fox Jeffery Schlupp in the box and the ref points to the spot. Milivojevic sends the keeper the wrong way to make it 3-1.
If you thought that was the end of the misery for Leicester you’d be wrong. Zaha got his second to make it 4-1, running into open space after the home side left everyone up the field and powering a shot past Schmeichel.
Boos rained down from the stands at the King Power at the final whistle. A fourth home league loss in a row and any hope of European qualification fading into the distance. Puel’s seat will be getting even hotter.
Kasper Schmeichel - 5
Didn’t have many shots to face, made one good save but should have done better with the fourth goal.
Ricardo Pereira - 5
Did his job at the back and looked threatening moving forwards with the ball.
Jonny Evans - 5
Took his goal well but then gave away a penalty which put the game away.
Harry Maguire - 4
Was at fault for Zaha’s goal to put Palace back in the lead, failing to notice the striker’s run into the box leaving him free to take his chance.
Christian Fuchs - 4
Was off the pace, could also be blamed for leaving Zaha free for Palace’s second.
Wilfred Ndidi - 5
Had a poorer game than his showing at Spurs last time out. Still did a decent job defensively.
Youri Tielemans - 7
Was once again one of Leicester’s better players. Controlled the game, was able to run past defenders and play excellent balls through the middle. Taken off too early by Puel.
James Maddison - 6
Had a decent game, won countless free-kicks around the Palace box. Was sharp on the ball but set-piece deliveries were poor.
Rachid Ghezzal - 4
Slowed the game down when in possession, loose balls in own third of the pitch and poor tracking back.
Harvey Barnes - 6
Was Leicester’s biggest threat in the final third, made space for himself well to get shots away but none of them really troubled the keeper.
Jamie Vardy - 5
Pressed well in his normal fashion but had almost nothing to do the whole game.
Demarai Gray - 5
Came on at half-time and showed some good skill on the ball.
Kelechi Iheanacho - 5
Came on and played out wide, made an important defensive interception but didn’t do much else.
Shinji Okazaki: 5
Was a late sub and didn’t have much time to contribute anything.
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