Leicester City inflicted another defeat on Leeds United as the Foxes ran away with a vital three points at the King Power Stadium on Thursday in the Premier League.
An own goal from Robin Koch was the undoing for Leeds United, while Harvey Barnes maintained his scoring streak against the Whites, as Leicester City climbed up to 19th place to ease some pressure off their under-fire manager Brendan Rodgers
The scoreline might be suggesting a one-sided affair. The visitors did have their chances but could not pull it off. Marc Roca lost possession, and the home side bombed forward with all the intent. A non-venomous cross from the right flank was met purposefully by Robin Koch, and the defender popped the ball into his own net.
A few minutes before the break, an intelligent flick from Jamie Vardy picked up Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in a lot of space, and his inch-perfect pass found Harvey Barnes. The English winger did not make any mistakes and netted his sixth goal against Leeds United in as many appearances.
Leeds are now perilously close to the relegation zone, with 18th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers only behind on goal difference. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Jesse Marsch’s men.
Illan Meslier: 5/10
Leicester City had just five shots vs Leeds United, the fewest in a Premier League game in which they've won since December 2014 vs Hull City. pic.twitter.com/A591EkoBH1
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 20, 2022
Meslier could not do much about both Leicester goals. He had very little to do throughout the evening as Leicester City hardly tested him with enough firepower.
Rasmus Kristensen: 5/10
Kristensen was not in the right spot when Harvey Barnes took his position at the time of the second goal. Barnes’s trickery caused him real problems, and the defender did not have any help while going forward.
Robin Koch: 4/10
Koch produced one of the worst clearances in the history of the Premier League. A simple slide has put his team on the verge of dropping to the relegation zone. He was subbed off during the break.
1 – Robin Koch has scored an own goal for the first time in his top-flight league career, in what is his 129th match. Koch-up.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 20, 2022
Diego Llorente: 5/10
A surprising inclusion in the starting lineup, and the move did not pay off. Llorente could not hold on as Leicester took advantage of that. The Spaniard improved mildly in the second half after the introduction of Liam Cooper.
Junior Firpo: 5/10
His ambitious approach allowed the opponent players to roam freely down that channel. Firpo should make his way for Pascal Struijk in the next match.
Marc Roca: 5/10
A bad day in the office. Roca lost the possession which led to Leicester’s pressure that eventually ended with Robin Koch’s own goal. He could not really dance to the groove as he looked like a pale shadow of his recent performances. Hauled off at the interval.
Tyler Adams: 6.5/10
Adams continued to be one of the most tenacious players whenever presented with an opportunity. He led the battle in the midfield but felt the need for an additional pair of feet alongside him.
Crysencio Summerville: 5/10
The youngster had a couple of tries at the goal, but his end product was poor. Summerville had to stand out on his feet against Leicester’s defence, which has not had much room to enjoy this season.
Brenden Aaronson: 7/10
Aaronson kept Leeds in the game with some tidy and neat movements in the attacking third. But a lack of intent in and around the King Power Stadium did not help him much. Otherwise, the result could have been different.
🚨 USMNT international Brenden Aaronson vs Leicester City today
☑️ 90 min
🔑 2 chances created
🔀 3 dribbles won (match highest)
⚔️ 11 duels won (match highest)
🤕 5 times fouled (match highest)
💪 9 ball recoveries
✅ 7.6 fotmob ratingSolid individual performance. 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/bConDaNliC
— USMNT 🇺🇸 (@USMNTTAKES) October 20, 2022
Luis Sinisterra: 5/10
Sinisterra won his challenges but ran out of ideas at times. The Colombian attacker had a decent effort pretty early in the match, but the crossbar denied him.
Patrick Bamford: 4/10
A shambolic performance from the Leeds striker. Bamford did not utilise the little bit of service he received as he was not in the match throughout. He needs to deliver pretty soon as the time is running out for him.
SUBSTITUTES
Liam Cooper: 6/10
Steadied the backline with his experience in the second half.
Jack Harrison: 5/10
Didn’t have the desired impact
Rodrigo: 6/10
Tried his heart out, but it was not his day.
Joe Gelhardt: N/A
Did not play enough to guarantee a rating.
Mateusz Klich: N/A
Did not play enough to guarantee a rating.
Unfortunately the time has come to part company with Jesse before we really get dragged into the relegation fight. The midfield is weak and the way we play just does not work when the opposition packs the midle of the park. Need someone to set up the team to deal with each game as it comes. A very poor night at Leicester but we’ll keep going. MOT