A difficult day for everyone, the first game after that terrible accident last week and a lot of emotions from all over, and of course great to see players, staff, owners and fans so together, that is surely touching for everyone.
The team selection was also one with an emotional touch, bringing Wes Morgan back in, and also naming Danny Simpson on the bench. Morgan replaced Soyuncu, who had to watch the game from the stands, not really knowing why, but probably the wisest decission to make as it would have been strange to see someone else walking the team out in this game.
Claude Puel did everything right this afternoon, even had to bring in a player for Harry Maguire so early in the game, routine was a key as Evans replaced the England international and played to his best alongside Wes Morgan. We are seeing a captain leading by example out there this evening.
Leicester had their chances early on and was the better team through out the game, and the big talk was of course the save of former Leicester City defender Sol Bamba, hitting the ball with his arm so the shot of Jamie Vardy hit the bar and flew up in the stands.
Lee Probert, the referee, was probably the only one who didn’t see the touch and a red card and a penalty would have been the right decision. Kasper also had to save a few attempts from the Cardiff players, but it was still 0-0 at half time.
A committed Leicester City team entered the field in the 2nd half and a number of great attempts finally made it possible to score. A good finish from Demarai Gray, assisted by Ben Chilwell after 55 minutes was what needed to bring home all three points.
Jamie Vardy had to leave the field again without a goal, but he was lively and had that one in the first half, and in the 2nd he was alone with Cardiff goalkeeper Etheridge, who saved heroically.
A well balanced Leicester City team had no problem in stoppage time to keep Cardiff City of distance, even when The Bluebirds decided to field Danny Ward after 79 minutes. How they managed to get him into a Cardiff City kit is a riddle, and of course strange to see Leicester City’s goalkeeper being able to both sit on the bench and play at the same time.
The joke aside, but again a funny story, as Leicester City’s goalkeeper is Welsh and the Danny Ward coming on for Cardiff is an Englishman. This was also the first time Leicester and Cardiff met in a Premier League game.
Claude Puel said he didn’t bother about the result, but as we all felt for him and the players, everyone supporting Leicester City, surely those three points will be vital for the rest of the season. This looks like a way forward Claude, keep it simple, be dull and just play the best team. Great to see Danny Simpson back in first team action as well, coming on for Gray in the last 20 minutes.
- Positives:
- Able to create chances and score a vital goal
- Claude Puel getting his tactics correctly
- All players committed and hard battling
- Getting all three points, keeping a clean sheet
- Wes Morgan leading the way as captain
- Demarai Gray being the goalscorer, at his best he is a great player
- Danny Simpson getting his first minutes of first team action this season
- Positive to see Pereira being good both attacking and defending
- Negatives:
- Maguire getting injured, not really knowing how long his rest will be
- Yellow cards on Pereira and Gray
- Lee Probert, missing a penalty and booking Demarai Gray, bad judgement
- Player Ratings: Schmeichel 7. Pereira 7, Chilwell 8, Maguire , Morgan 7, Mendy 6, Ndidi 7, Vardy 7, Maddison 6, Albrighton 6, Gray 8, Subs: Evans 6, Simpson, Iborra
Match Stats: H/A
- Possession: 54 / 46
- Corners: 6 / 12
- Shots on target: 3 / 3
- Shots wide: 6 / 7
- Fouls: 13 / 12
- Offsides: 4 / 3
Leave a Reply