Kelechi Iheanacho was the star of the show as Leicester City thrashed Sheffield United 5-0 at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.
It was one-way traffic from the get-go as Leicester City were all over an insipid Sheffield United side. Ayoze Perez had a shot saved while Jamie Vardy fired wide from a tight angle before he set Kelechi Iheanacho up for the opening goal in the 39th minute.
The second half saw Leicester continue to dominate proceedings and Vardy should have doubled their lead but was denied by Chris Basham’s goalline clearance once while he shot straight at Ramsdale soon after. However, Perez did manage to make it 2-0 with a fine effort from the edge of the box in the 64th minute.
Five minutes later, the Foxes were three goals to the good with Iheanacho getting on the end of a Vardy pass to fire the ball into the net before the Nigerian completed his hat-trick with a thumping drive from outside the box. Vardy then forced an own goal from Ethan Ampadu as Leicester led 5-0 in the 80th minute.
Brendan Rodgers’ men could have easily had a few more goals if not for a bit of sloppy finishing towards the end. But it was a statement performance from the Foxes as they moved into second place in the table, even though it could be temporary. Here’s how we rated the performances of the Leicester stars on the afternoon.
Kasper Schmeichel: 6/10
A quiet outing between the sticks for the Leicester City skipper as Sheffield United hardly threatened the goal. Did not have a single save to make. Completed 28 of his 30 attempted passes on the night.
Wesley Fofana: 7.5/10
With Sheffield United not posing much of a threat attacking-wise, the young centre-half strode out with the ball confidently at every opportunity and played precise forward passes to get his team going. Showed good alertness when he needed to, making three tackles and four clearances.
Wesley Fofana for Leicester in the first half against Sheffield United:
◉ Most touches (69)
◉ Most ball recoveries (6)
◉= Most tackles (2)He also won 100% of his 5 duels. ? pic.twitter.com/2jw16Eb9XR
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 14, 2021
Jonny Evans: 7.5/10
Back from injury, the veteran defender went about his job at the back with great ease, organising the backline and hacking clear any aerial balls that Sheffield United tried to pump into the box. Used the ball well too, completing 107 of his 113 attempted passes on the afternoon and could have scored a goal late on.
Caglar Soyuncu: 7.5/10
Like the rest of his defensive partners, Soyuncu too enjoyed a solid game at the back with Sheffield United offering little threat going forward. There were a couple of mishit passes early on but recovered well to end the game with a 96% pass success rate.
Ricardo Pereira: 6/10
Wasn’t able to have the kind of impact that he usually does getting forward as Enda Stevens stayed tight to him. Misplaced just three passes though but was subbed off at half-time.
Wilfred Ndidi: 8/10
Strong in his challenges, the Leicester City midfield enforcer went about his job with great aggression, as he made four tackles and two interceptions, ensuring that the Blades never got a foothold in the game. On the ball too, Ndidi was quite sharp, as he played in three key passes on the day, one of which was the assist for Iheanacho’s third goal.
Youri Tielemans: 8/10
Youri Tielemans' reverse passes are unbelievable, he doesn't get the credit he deserves because he doesn't play for a 'big 6' club.
— James. (@afcjxmes) March 14, 2021
Such an asset for Leicester with his ability to hit accurate, piercing through balls forward as he constantly found the likes of Vardy and Perez in spaces with his distribution. One such move led to the Foxes’ third goal of the game as he finished with three key passes. Did his fair share of defensive work as well.
Timothy Castagne: 7/10
Wasn’t as involved as he regularly is but the Leicester City wing-back made sure that he did not lose possession carelessly and was always forward-thinking and progressive with his passes. Kept things tight defensively on his flank as well.
Ayoze Perez: 8.5/10
Returning to the side after missing six games due to injury, Perez did not miss a step on Sunday. A constant menace with his running and movement, the ex-Newcastle man linked up well with those around him. Played a beautiful pass to set Vardy through in the lead-up to the first goal and then got a goal for himself with a fine strike in the second half.
Kelechi Iheanacho: 10/10
Kelechi Iheanacho’s game by numbers vs Sheffield United:
65 touches
9 duels won
8 touches in opp. box
7 ball recoveries
6 take-ons
6 shots
4 shots on target
3 chances created
3 goalsPhenomenal. pic.twitter.com/vUjhWmpK78
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 14, 2021
The Player to Watch in our match preview, Iheanacho continued his recent goalscoring form with another starring display against the Blades. Opened the scoring with a well-taken finish in the first half before adding two more impressive strikes after the break to complete his first-ever Premier League hat-trick.
Showed great understanding with Vardy and even created a couple of chances for the veteran striker. Finished with a game-high six dribbles as well as three key passes.
Jamie Vardy: 9/10
May not have scored on the afternoon, but the 34-year-old was involved in everything positive that Leicester City conjured up in the game. Two brilliant crosses into the box to set Iheanacho up for the first and third goals of the game and then forced the own goal from Ampadu with another dangerous ball into the box.
Should have had a goal, but had another effort cleared off the line and fluffed his lines once, which denies him a perfect rating like his strike partner. Top-class otherwise, with him making a match-high four key passes.
Jamie Vardy has assisted two goals in a Premier League game for the second time since the start of the 16/17 season.
?️?️ vs. Brighton
?️?️ vs. Sheffield UnitedTurned provider today. pic.twitter.com/JCJ1sCNeYP
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 14, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Marc Albrighton:
Replaced Pereira at half-time.
Thakgalo Leshabela: N/A
Made his first-team debut, replacing Perez for the final ten minutes.
