As Leicester City blew a 2-0 lead to crash out of the EFL Cup at the hands of Chelsea, we examine how their players rated.
Leicester City’s Shinji Okazaki scores their first goal
GK – Ron Robert-Zieler (7): Important double saves from Diego Costa with seven minutes remaining of the 90. Leicester’s second choice goalkeeper was not overly at fault for the goals conceded but can expect to take his place on the bench when Kasper Schmeichel returns from injury.
RB – Danny Simpson (6): Simpson did not get forward as much as he did on occasions last season, but provided a disciplined performance to keep the likes of Pedro and Victor Moses quiet for the vast majority of the game.
LB – Ben Chilwell (6): The highly rated left back was solid, if not spectacular. Showed glimpses of penetrating runs and clinical passing but was left out of position on a couple of occasions – especially when Chelsea piled the pressure in the latter stages. Cautioned for a late challenge during extra-time.
CB – Wes Morgan (5): At fault for Chelsea’s first goal just before half-time, as a result of slack marking on Gary Cahill. Playing alongside Marcin Wasilewski instead of usual partner Robert Huth, Morgan struggled to keep Leicester’s defence up to their usual organised, disciplined standard – especially after taking a 2-0 lead.
CB – Marcin Wasilewski (3): The Leicester defender’s lack of game time over the past 18 months showed during a rusty performance, in which Wasilewski tired and mistakes crept in. Ultimately, a second yellow card led to the big defender’s dismissal just before the 90 minutes.
Leicester City’s Marcin Wasilewski is shown a red card by referee Robert Madley
RM – Demarai Gray (5): A difficult game for Gray to impose himself, the winger was the chosen sacrifice once Leicester went down to ten-men following Wasilewski’s sending off. Gray’s willingness to work both wide areas in rotation with Jeffrey Schlupp was noticeable.
CM – Danny Drinkwater (8): If Drinkwater is missing his title-winning midfield dynamo from last season, N’golo Kante, then he is showing few signs of it. Drinkwater played with calmness mixed with a relentless engine. His leadership and desire to pass forward when possible was admirable.
CM – Andy King (7): Composed assist for Leicester’s second goal supplemented a tenacious and intelligent display from King. Alongside Danny Drinkwater, Welshman King kept Chelsea’s creative pair of Fabregas and Matic at bay until extra-time dawned with Leicester down to ten men. Tired under Chelsea pressure either side of extra-time.
Leicester City’s Andy King misses a chance to score
LM – Jeffrey Schlupp (6): After a drawn out deadline day of ‘will he, won’t he’ move to West Bromwich Albion didn’t materialise, Schlupp seems back to his powerful, pacey norm. As expected, he kept the disciplined shape of Leicester’s wide areas. Will hope for more game time soon.
FW – Shinji Okazaki (7): A first half that typified Okazaki’s persistence and admirable team ethic, consisted on two unspectacular but well-deserved goals. Quietened in the second half and experienced his customary replacement by Leonardo Ulloa (6) on 75 minutes.
Leicester City’s Shinji Okazaki scores their second goal
FW – Ahmed Musa (7): Leicester’s pacey number 7 closed spaces well and helped his forward partner Okazaki with not giving Chelsea’s back line an easy game. Had a great chance with 17 minutes remaining shortly before being replaced by Jamie Vardy (6).
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