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Leeds United vs Leicester City Player Ratings: MOTM Vardy gets 9; 3/10 for disappointing Klich

November 3, 2020 2:27 pm
Reading Time: 9 mins read
The 2019/20 PL Golden Boot winner (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

The 2019/20 PL Golden Boot winner (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

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Jamie Vardy and Youri Tielemans were brilliant for Leicester City while Leeds United midfielder Mateusz Klich struggled as the Whites lost 4-1 to the Foxes on Monday.

The game was off to a frantic start as Leeds were presented with a huge chance just ninety seconds in, but Patrick Bamford failed to convert. Seconds later, Jamie Vardy capitalised on an error from Robin Koch to set Harvey Barnes up for Leicester’s opening goal of the night.

Vardy was involved once again as his diving header halfway through the first half was parried straight to Youri Tielemans, who made no mistake from point-blank range. Leeds came out strong in the second period and Stuart Dallas managed to pull one back before Pablo Hernandez came ever so close to equalising, only to see his curling effort bounce off the woodwork.

Vardy, then, sealed the result for the visitors in the 76th minute, pouncing on a fine pass from substitute Cengiz Under to make it 3-1. Tielemans then got his second of the night, dispatching coolly from the penalty spot after Mateusz Klich had fouled James Maddison in the box.

The resounding victory sees Leicester City move to the second spot in the Premier League standings. And here’s how we rated the performances of both sets of players on the night at Elland Road.

Leeds United

Illan Meslier: 5/10

Made a couple of decent stops in the first period to deny Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes. Not to blame for any of the goals that Leeds conceded, but handling was a bit suspect at times while his distribution was also lacking.

Luke Ayling: 5/10

Pegged back into his own half for the majority of the game owing to the speed at which Leicester ran at the hosts’ defence. However, he wasn’t quite able to keep a lid on Barnes and Vardy.

Robin Koch: 4/10

Guilty for Leicester’s opening goal as it was his poor back pass to Meslier that Vardy pounced on. Failed to keep track of the Englishman in the lead-up to the Foxes’ second. Improved in the second half, but the damage was already done.

Liam Cooper: 5/10

Back into the starting XI, the Leeds skipper struggled to keep up with the pace of Vardy for most of the game. Like his partner, he showed improvement post the restart but still found it hard to cope with the Englishman.

Stuart Dallas: 6/10

Like Ayling, Dallas too had to sit deep for most parts, especially in the first half, with Dennis Praet causing all sorts of problems. Pulled Leeds back into the game when his looping cross ended up in the net early after the half-time break.

Mateusz Klich: 3/10

Slotting in as defensive midfielder in Kalvin Phillips’ absence, Klich struggled to provide any sort of protection to his backline, especially in the first half. Misplaced passes, got caught out of position and while he looked more comfortable after the break once Leicester sat back, he conceded the penalty for Leicester’s fourth.

Helder Costa: 5/10

Created an early chance for Bamford and made some intelligent runs but the end product was lacking. Flitted in and out too much to have an impact.

Jamie Shackleton: 4/10

Starting after his impressive performance against Aston Villa, the young midfielder never really got into the game. Hooked off at half-time.

Pablo Hernandez: 6/10

Handed a start in place of Rodrigo, who is self-isolating, the veteran playmaker showed some neat link-up play, but often lost the ball way too easily. Almost equalised in the second half with an effort that would have been a contender for Goal of the season, but could only hit the woodwork.

Jack Harrison: 5/10

Worked hard and tried to create opportunities for his teammates, but little came off. Did fashion a chance for Bamford early on, while he got the assist for Dallas’ goal.

Patrick Bamford: 4/10

Moved well at the top but let down by his touch and finishing. Should have put Leicester ahead just ninety seconds in. Had another 1v1 chance against Kasper Schmeichel, while he failed with another decent opportunity after the break.

Substitutes

Ian Poveda: 5/10

Replaced Shackleton at half-time. Played some part in Leeds’ improvement after the break but with no end product.

Tyler Roberts: 4/10

Came on for Hernandez in the 66th minute. Didn’t do much of note.

Ezgjan Alioski: N/A

Late substitute for Dallas.

Leicester City

Kasper Schmeichel: 7/10

The Dane was in good form as he showed good alertness to deny Bamford early in the game and once again in a 1v1 situation soon after. Not tested much apart from that. Reliable with his distribution.

James Justin: 7/10

Starting as the right-sided centre-back, Justin showed good aggression and purpose as he pressed Leeds high while being a solid presence in the air and on the ground.

Wesley Fofana: 7/10

The teenage summer signing had a couple of hairy moments when he let Bamford past him, but recovered well and held the Foxes’ backline together throughout. Promising display.

Christian Fuchs: 8/10

The senior man at the back for Leicester, Fuchs used his experience well to marshal the backline while also helping out young Luke Thomas on the left side whenever needed. Distribution from the back was sharp as well.

Marc Albrighton: 7/10

Typical workhorse display from Albrighton on the right flank. Got up and down the field well, supported the defence when needed and provided the cross for Vardy in the lead-up to the second goal.

Youri Tielemans: 8/10

An energetic display from the Belgian international, who ran up and down the pitch with great intent for the entire ninety minutes. Showed good awareness to react and score his first goal of the night before adding a second from the penalty spot.

Nampalys Mendy: 8.5/10

Another top-notch solid display in the centre of the park from the Frenchman, who has grown into a key player for the Foxes this term. Withstood the Leeds press, kept putting out fires efficiently throughout the game, while keeping things ticking for his side with smart passing when on the ball.

Luke Thomas: 7/10

Starting as the left-sided wing-back, the youngster did well to deal with the dangerous Helder Costa effectively for most parts. Also got forward to support Barnes on occasions.

Dennis Praet: 7/10

Full of running in the first half as his movement and link-up play with Vardy and Barnes caused serious problems to the Leeds defence. Grew tired as the game wore on and was subbed off.

Harvey Barnes: 8/10

Preferred over James Maddison and Cengiz Under, the Englishman repaid the faith with a fine attacking display. Scored the opener after being set up by Vardy and combined very well with the veteran striker in general. Could have had a second but was denied by Meslier.

Jamie Vardy: 9/10

The Englishman tore apart the Leeds backline with his blistering pace, intelligent movement and predatory instincts. Capitalised on an early mistake by the hosts to unselfishly set Barnes up for the opener, played a key role in the second before scoring one himself. Brilliant all-round centre-forward performance from Vardy.

Substitutes

James Maddison: 7/10

Replaced Praet a little after the hour mark. Helped swing the game back in Leicester’s favour just when it looked like Leeds would pull off a comeback. Created a chance for Barnes before playing a brilliant pass to Under in the lead-up to Vardy’s goal.

Cengiz Under: 7/10

Came on for Barnes in the 71st minute. Got the assist for Leicester’s third with a cheeky pass. Showing great understanding with Vardy and Maddison this early into his spell at the club.

Wes Morgan: N/A

On for Vardy for the final five minutes. Made a crucial headed clearance with his first touch of the game.

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