EFL Cup 2016-17: Leicester City 2 - 4 Chelsea (after extra time) - Player Ratings
The 2016-17 EFL Cup third round fixture between Chelsea and Leicester City provided the most entertaining fixture of the night as both teams were involved in an end to end, rollercoaster of a match. Leicester’s two goal lead was erased by the Londons side and despite a late Marcin Wasilewski red card, the Foxes held on to take the game to extra time.
Also Read: Antonio Conte feels Chelsea have to learn from their defeat to Liverpool
Cesc Fabregas stepped up to seize the game by the scruff of the neck in extra time, scoring two goals to send Chelsea through to the fourth round. This will be a welcome result for the Blues following their defeat to Liverpool on Friday.
Let’s take a look and how the players performed.
Leicester City
Ron-Robert Zieler – 7/10
The German stopper had little to do in the first half up until the end, where he was helpless to stop Gary Cahill’s effort. Although he did well to stop Fabregas’ effort at the start of the second half, was beaten all ends up by Azpilicueta’s thumping volley. He was able to stop Diego Costa on numerous occasions to take the game to extra time.
Despite conceding four goals, Zieler had a great game, making a number of important saves.
Danny Simpson – 5.5/10
Simpson was given a tough time throughout the first half by the lively Pedro, although he did provide good support going forward. The former Manchester United man was worse in the second half though as he was pinned back by Chelsea’s attacking barrage.
Wes Morgan – 5/10
The captain had a solid first half right up to the last attack where he lost track of Gary Cahill – who was able to reduce the deficit for Chelsea. Morgan will be disappointed that he wasn’t able to rally his troops into converting their advantage to a victory. He could do absolutely nothing to stop Chelsea’s magnificent second and third goals.
Marcin Wasilewski – 4/10
A big performance from the centre-back in the first half as he ensured Chelsea enjoyed absolutely no success in the final third. Blocks and tackles galore for the big man. Things went down hill after half time though as it was his weak clearance which was led to the equaliser.
He was then sent off for a second bookable offense which was quite worthy of a straight red and killed off any chance of a Leicester win.
Ben Chilwell – 6/10
The teenager added to his growing reputation by putting in a solid performance in the first half. He controlled Moses with ease throughout the game while linking up well with his wingers to provide an extra option in attack.
The second half was a different story though as a rejuvenated Moses got the better of him and kept him on the backfoot throughout.
Demarai Gray – 5.5/10
Gray enjoyed a great start to the night, nicking the ball off Alonso to start the move that led to Leicester’s first goal. The youngster was an all-action figure, though, he will be disappointed in not tracking Azpilicueta’s forward run when the Spaniard scored.
There were a lot of wasted opportunities from Gray though before he was subbed off due to Wasilewski’s red card.
Andy King – 5/10
The long-time Leicester servant deputised well in the heart of the Leicester midfield in the first half. His defensive duties increased in the second half as Chelsea took control of the game but he was completely overrun. Fabregas also escaped his attentions to score Chelsea’s third goal of the night.
Danny Drinkwater – 6/10
Drinkwater provided the assist for the second goal as he intercepted a Chelsea clearance to provide a beautiful ball which Okazaki finished. He found the game much more difficult in the second half as Chelsea got back into the game. He was booked for a challenge on Costa late in the game and wasn’t able to influence the game in extra time.
Jeffrey Schlupp – 6/10
While not as impressive as Gray, the winger enjoyed a great first half which was full of direct running and keeping Chelsea wary with his pace and trickery. His decision making was off in the second half, as he wasted a number of good positions.
Shinji Okazaki – 8/10
Okazaki pounced on some terrible Chelsea play to nod the ball over the line to give Leicester the lead. He followed it up with a great second goal that just about crossed the line. A true poacher’s game for the forward. He was much more subdued in the second half as Chelsea pressed forward. He was brought off for Leonardo Ulloa.
Ahmed Musa – 7/10
The new signing provided a wicked cross that Azpilicueta could only chest into the path of Okazaki to give the Foxes the lead. He really should’ve done better when he raced clear in the second half to go one on one with Begovic. He was subbed off just after as Leicester turned to Jamie Vardy.
Substitutes
Leonardo Ulloa – 5/10
He came on for Okazaki with just around 15 mins to play in normal time and nearly provided a crucial contribution with his first touch of the game. He wasn’t able to do much after that though as Chelsea completely took over the game.
Jamie Vardy – 5/10
Jamie Vardy’s introduction for Ahmed Musa almost paid immediate dividends as he almost forced Begovic into a mistake. He cut a frustrated figure up front as Chelsea dominated the game and gave the hitman precious little to work with.
Daniel Amartey – 5/10
The defender was brought on in injury time for Demarai Gray to take the place of sent off Wasilewski. He could do little to stop Chelsea’s extra-time goals as the Foxes faded.