The Foxes continued their 100% Champions League record courtesy of an excellent win over Porto at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester City’s manager Claudio Ranieri (R)
This Champions League lark must seem simple to Leicester, who have now won two from two and are yet to concede in Group G following a victory over a team who, on paper at least, are said to be their toughest opponents in the group stage.
Islam Slimani’s first half header, the result of a fantastic team move, was the only goal of the game as Leicester held firm amidst growing Porto pressure in the second half. Jesus Corona hit the post with a fine volley but the Foxes held on for a famous win.
Who stood out for the hosts, and who still needs to sharpen up?
Kasper Schmeichel – 6
The goalkeeper was back in the team after missing Saturday’s defeat at Old Trafford, and recovered well after nearly costing his side a goal with an erratic decision to come rushing out of his goal in the early stages.
Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel
Surprisingly untroubled for most of the evening, Schmeichel was composed in possession and commanded his area well as the hosts came under siege towards the end of the game.
Luis Hernandez – 7
The Spaniard made some crucial interventions in the second half and caused a great deal of uncertainty in the Porto defence courtesy of his long throws.
Overall a solid defensive display from the former Sporting Gijon man, who also looks more of a threat than Danny Simpson going forward.
Robert Huth – 6
The German defender has been shaky this season and hasn’t yet recaptured the solid form of last time out, and to an extent that continued against Porto. He was fortunate that his ball-watching 10 minutes from time didn’t lead to a goal being conceded when Valente Silva escaped his attentions but couldn’t get the ball under control.
He also needs to be a bit cannier from set plays. Huth gave away several free-kicks when attacking free-kicks and corners, and if the pulling and pushing continues in the other box he could end up conceding costly penalties.
Leicester City’s Robert Huth celebrates
Wes Morgan – 7
Solid display from the skipper, who must still be pinching himself that he is leading a team in the Champions League. Positioned himself well to clear the limited Porto attacks in the first period, and stood firm with the rest of the back four as pressure increased in the second.
The only concern would be the same as that of his central defensive partner – Morgan too conceded several fouls from promising attacking set plays and could do with being a bit wiser in such situations.
Christian Fuchs – 7
This was an assured performance from the German full-back, who won his tackles, made valuable interceptions and provided a decent threat going forward.
The long throws hurled in by Fuchs and his fellow full-back Hernadez are proving to be a useful weapon in the Champions League, and the German’s experience also comes in handy when the Foxes are trying to see out games; he gave away a number of ‘useful’ fouls to ease the pressure on his side in the closing stages.
Riyad Mahrez – 7
Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez and Daniel Amartey
Porto doubled up on the winger but he still managed to provide a moment of true quality to set up the opening goal, putting an inviting ball on a plate for Islam Slimani.
Mahrez grew in confidence after the assist and looks to be linking up well with new man Slimani as well as continuing his telepathic relationship with Vardy. Also tracked back diligently as the second half went on before being withdrawn late on.
Danny Drinkwater – 7
The midfielder continues to show that he can compete at this level and more performances like this will surely put him in contention for international selection, whoever the next England manager turns out to be.
Danny Drinkwater
It was a textbook Drinkwater performance which included snappy tackles, incisive through balls as well as simply doing the basics well. Needs to appreciate that referees are stricter on the European stage, however, as dissent could cost him and his side dear.
Daniel Amartey – 8
It was never going to be easy following on from Ngolo Kante, but for the first time in his brief Leicester career Amartey looked like a man capable of doing just that.
The Ghanaian international popped up everywhere, breaking up countless opposition attacks and starting several for his own side. He did the dirty work in midfield superbly, and more performances in this mould will ensure that Kante’s absence is not so keenly felt.
Marc Albrighton – 7
A typically hardworking performance on the wing from the former Aston Villa man, who also provided the superb diagonal ball to Mahrez in the build-up to Slimani’s goal.
Faded in the second half, and though his final product let him down on occasion his work rate can never be called into question. His defensive work down the left flank was vital in the closing stages, while he was also responsible for a goal-saving block when he deflected Jesus Corona’s thunderbolt on to the post late on.
Leicester City’s Marc Albrighton
Jamie Vardy – 7
The England striker’s rampaging, all-action style is proving as effective on the continental stage as it was domestically last season. As is his way, he didn’t give the Porto centre halves a moment’s rest and got under their skins in what became quite a heated battle.
Promisingly for Foxes fans, Vardy also seems to developing an understanding with Slimani, which is ominous news for defences at home and abroad. He does need to cut out the silly bookings like the one he picked up in the first half for shoving a Porto player in the wall.
Islam Slimani – 7
The club record signing is rapidly proving himself as a Champions League standard upgrade on Leonardo Ulloa, as he provided an aerial threat and held the ball up effectively.
The goal may have been a simple finish, but he still had to be there to score it and Slimani’s arrival has taken the goalscoring burden off the shoulders of Vardy and Mahrez, both of whom look to be linking up well with the former Sporting man.
Leicester City’s Islam Slimani
Subs:
Andy King – 6
Did what he had to do in the midfield to help close the game out.
Demarai Gray – N/A
Ahmed Musa – N/A
Both introduced in the dying minutes and therefore had little chance to make an impact.
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