EPL 2017/18: Leicester City 1-2 Chelsea, Player Ratings
It was a hard fought victory, but Chelsea came away with the three points in the three o’clock kick off at the King Power Stadium.
The game looked to be struggling for an end product in the final third before a wonderful cross from Cesar Azpilicueta was headed in by Alvaro Morata. It would then only take five minutes into the second half before they would make it two, as a long distance strike from N’Golo Kante somehow made it past Kasper Schmeichel.
Leicester would then be the team to bring the game to Chelsea and they got their rewards when Jamie Vardy sneaked in behind Thibaut Courtois and earn his team a penalty, which he would then convert.
Chances then came and went for both teams, but Chelsea eventually saw the game out in what was a narrow victory away from home.
Leicester City
Peter Schmeichel – 5
He made a good late save to deny Willian, but there are questions to be asked about his save for Chelsea’s second, a strike he certainly could have saved.
Danny Simpson – 5
Willian found it easy to get into space on Simpson’s side as he often lost sight of his defensive responsibilities.
Wes Morgan – 5
It wasn’t a great performance from Leicester’s captain as Morata gave him a hard time at the back.
Harry Maguire – 6
Lucky not to concede a late penalty but overall, he defended well and is settling in excellently at Leicester.
Christian Fuchs – 4
Found it very hard to defend against Moses with him attacking so high and also found it difficult to contribute in attack.
Wilfried Ndidi – 6
He was eventually booked but he did well to cut out some Chelsea attacks and recycled the ball well.
Matty James – 5
Not his best performance in a Leicester shirt and with Chelsea having quite a lot of the ball, he struggled defensively.
Riyad Mahrez – 6
Struggled to get involved with Chelsea having most of the ball.
Marc Albrighton – 5
As a tactical decision, he was taken off at half time but he didn’t perform too poorly in the first half.
Jamie Vardy – 7
It was intelligent from Vardy to sneak in and earn a penalty, drawing a foul from Cortouis. He also converted well from the spot and got his team back in the game. His all-round game was not the greatest but he remained a nuisance for the 90 minutes.
Islam Slimani – 4
Got a surprise start with Okazaki being left out of the squad, but did not grasp his opportunity and was hauled off at half time.
Substitutions
Demarai Gray – 7
Looked a bright spark off the bench and constantly threatened Chelsea’s back three.
Andy King – 6
Did not offer a lot coming from the bench but helped Leicester control the midfield more in the second half.
Kelechie Iheanacho – N/A
Came off the bench late and despite Leicester’s waves of attacks, he couldn’t make an impact.