Leicester City Player Ratings vs Spartak Moscow: 4/10 Vardy misses penalty; Seven or less for everyone

Jamie Vardy missed a crucial penalty while Patson Daka struggled as Leicester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Spartak Moscow in the UEFA Europa League.

Leicester City made a bright start to the game and looked in control with a couple of chances falling for Patson Daka and the returning Ayoze Perez, who failed to convert those. The Foxes then came ever so close to scoring through Boubakary Souamre, but his powerful effort from outside the box hit the crossbar.

While Leicester continued to enjoy a large chunk of possession, they could not open up the visitors’ defence as the first half ended goalless. Six minutes after the break, Brendan Rodgers & co. were handed a blow as Victor Moses put Spartak Moscow in front with a header from Mikhail Ignatov’s cross. The hosts, however, struck back in the 58th minute with Daniel Amartey levelling things up.

Leicester pushed and probed for the winner from that point on and had a great chance to make it 2-1 when Ademola Lookman was felled in the box but substitute Jamie Vardy fired a tame penalty which was easily saved. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could have won it late on, but teammate Kelechi Iheanacho blocked his goal-bound effort as the game ended 1-1.

The result leaves the Foxes in third place in Group C, two points off leaders Napoli and one below Legia Warsaw in second. Here are our player ratings for the Leicester City stars.

Leicester City Player Ratings

Kasper Schmeichel: 6/10

The Leicester stopper had a largely quiet outing between the sticks, with Spartak Moscow not testing him a great deal. However, a clean sheet eluded him as he was let down by his defence leading to Moses’ goal.

Daniel Amartey: 7/10

Amartey was solid and competent in defence, putting out fires and using the ball smartly when in possession. He then chipped in with the all-important equaliser to salvage a point for the Foxes.

Jonny Evans: 6/10

The veteran defender was assured that Spartak threw at him at the back, which was not much on the night. Sprayed some nice passes forward as well, but Evans was caught out for the goal.

Caglar Soyuncu: 6/10

Largely untroubled, but there were a few occasions when long balls over the top caught him out. He carried the ball out well from the back and made a few good-looking passes forward.

Timothy Castagne: 6.5/10

A positive influence down the right flank as he made constant forward runs trying to get in behind the Spartak Moscow backline. Delivered a fine cross leading to Dewsbury-Hall’s attempt in the second half. Not troubled defensively.

Youri Tielemans: 6/10

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The Belgian had to take up the creative responsibilities in the absence of James Maddison. Most of Leicester’s moves went through him, and he tried to play incisive, defence-splitting passes forward, but not all came off for him.

Boubakary Soumare: 6/10

Strong in the middle of the park, the summer signing did well to break up some counterattacks but was a bit slow and ponderous when in possession. He fired in a great shot in the first half but was unlucky to see it bounce off the woodwork.

Ryan Bertrand: 5/10

Handed a start over Luke Thomas, the former Southampton man got forward on the left side but couldn’t make the most from the advanced positions. A good corner leading to the goal aside, Bertrand did not contribute much attacking-wise while left spaces at the back.

Ayoze Perez: 5/10

Back into the lineup after recovering from his illness, Perez saw plenty of the ball but was unable to do any damage with it. Got the assist for the goal with a flick, which bumps up his rating. Very quiet and ineffective otherwise.

Kelechi Iheanacho: 4/10

A disappointing outing for the former Manchester City forward who was unable to create much of note on the night while he was guilty of blocking Dewsbury-Hall’s goal-bound effort. Then struck the woodwork late on. 

Patson Daka: 4/10

Leicester’s four-goal hero from the reverse fixture, Daka, could not bring in the same quality and verve on Thursday night. He ran into blind alleyways when on the ball while his decision-making was suspect as well. 

SUBSTITUTES

Ademola Lookman: 6/10

He replaced Bertrand soon after the equaliser. Looked purposeful when on the ball and won the penalty from which Vardy failed to score.

Wilfred Ndidi: 6/10

Ndidi came on for Perez in the 58th minute and added more intensity and energy in the middle of the park. He moved the ball well.

Jamie Vardy: 4/10

He was sent on in place of Daka for the final twenty minutes. He took possibly the worst penalty of his career to squander a great opportunity to win it for Leicester.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: N/A

On for Soumare in the 83rd minute. He almost won it for the Foxes, but his teammate blocked his effort.