It was always going to be a case of which Chelsea was going to turn up - the competitive one of the despondent one. Unfortunately for us it, was the former.
Here are my ratings for the match:
Schmeichel: 5 - Was having a good game but, ultimately, mistakes from goalkeepers cost matches. Also let frustration get the better of him after the match and got a yellow card for his troubles for berating the ref. Continues to have the worst season I've seen from him in a Leicester shirt. I don't see him as needing replacing for this as I'm sure he can raise his level back up again next season but the main consequence I see is that he's removing any possibility of a move to a big club.
Simpson: 6 - Better than recently but still uncomfortable going forward and was lucky to get away with one moment where he dashed out of defence and left Hazard completely open on the left wing.
Morgan: 7 - Had a shaky start but improved and commanded more as the second half went on. Scuffed one great opportunity from a corner early on.
Maguire: 8 - Had an impressive match; strong at the back, confident bringing the ball out and played one fine through ball for Vardy. More of the same, please.
Chilwell: 6 - The kind of performance that sums him up this season; plenty of energy, keen to make forward runs, crossing needs a lot of work, didn't spot the danger quick enough for Chelsea's winner. Needs to find a new level of performance next season if he's going to make it.
Mahrez: 7 - Pinned to right midfield by Chelsea possession for much of the first half but as usual looked the most dangerous when we had the ball. Lovely, tight dribble to set up the equaliser.
Ndidi: 8 - Covered well, made no end of ground and was tidy in possession. Has looked better and better as the season has gone on. My choice for our MOTM.
Iborra: 7 - Helped Ndidi to get good control of the midfield as he looks like he's picked his form back up again. Played with fire a couple of times when already on a yellow however.
Albrighton: 7 - A better performance after recent poor outings. Full of running, crossing improved.
Iheanacho: 5 - Erratic as usual and remains a difficult player to know what to do with. Needs to add some consistency to his game so the manager can make plans for what to do with him. Shouldn't get too much blame for the Chelsea opener though, as they did need to travel most of the pitch, outnumbered, to score.
Vardy: 7 - Missed a good chance in the second half but was alert enough to pounce on a loose ball to get an equaliser. Asked questions with his pace but rarely given any support when he did win his races to the ball until Okazaki came on.
Okazaki: 7 - Provided some needed energy to the team.
Diabate: 6 - Looks to have ability, just needs to find a way of unlocking it and producing final balls. A work in progress.
Silva: 5 - Gave the situation what he could but ultimately to little impact as Chelsea killed the game masterfully. (Albeit with the help of a compliant referee.)
Gray: 5 - Horses for courses. Not a right back but put on there as a worthy throw of the dice to provide pace and delivery. Showed the former.
Overall you'd have to say it was a competitive game, but ultimately a couple of excellent assists for Chelsea snatched the tie - which is what quality brings you as long as you match your opponent for effort. I suppose it's a bit of a kick in the teeth that they draw Southampton in the next round and avoid the other two, but we're now effectively backing them to win that tie and ensure 7th place in the Prem gets the final Europa League spot.
Player ratings vs. Chelsea (FA Cup)
posted on 19/3/18
Its been a hard slog for us trying to get something going at Wembley especially during the early Prem games (hoodoo days) when it was like trying to raise the dead. As results have picked up the atmosphere has got better but we can't wait to go home.
posted on 19/3/18
The atmosphere at Leicester has always been “fickle” as I’ve known it. As mentioned above by Dunge, the club has found it difficult to move on from recent success and in failing to move forward to the penultimate stage of the FA Cup they are now facing nothing other than a traipse through to the end of the season with only a possible place in a secondary European competition to show for it. Don’t get me wrong, qualification for the Europa League will be an achievement in itself but the fans have set the bar high now and probably expect a repetition of the miraculous events of 2 years ago. They now expect a victory every time. The “instant success” brigade. They know a Premier League title isn’t going to happen and will have to come to terms with the fact that this likely to be unachievable certainly for the foreseeable future.
Over the years I’ve found that it’s required an example of the team’s desire and eagerness (and not necessarily that of an individual) to do well on the pitch and then to transform that yearn into the supporters to get them going. The club has been spoilt with having sell-out or virtual sell-outs these days whereas years ago the old stadium would host an attendance of, say, 22,000-but if the ambition was present in the team on any given day the reaction on the terraces, and certainly in the Popular side (Burnmoor Street) where I often stood was fantastic. You rubbed shoulders with the fellow alongside you, views were briefly exchanged and we were “all as one”. I’m not so sure that this is the case these days. The arrangement of seating rather than standing hasn’t helped but that’s the way forward, so they tell me.
I remember following our ousting from the FA Cup at the of Leyton Orient many years ago, there followed a run of defeats which cast apathy through the supporters but they were awakened by a great showing of togetherness when West Ham, I think it was, came to Filbert Street and the crowd roared its approval of a great showing by the players. The ground was probably only half full but that that didn’t stop it from erupting. That’s just one example I recall. There have been many more in very similar circumstances.
I haven’t been this season so I don’t know what the answer to the current bout of apathy is either but maybe some of those factors I’ve mentioned might provide the missing link.
posted on 19/3/18
Just a side comment, Re Schmeichel, I'm obviously wrong but I didn't think you could be carded outside of play, eg after the ref has blown the final whistle. Obviously the ref can make out a report for anything that happens at any time.
posted on 19/3/18
Not only that, but I'm pretty sure you can get a post-match red card if you say something particularly obnoxious.
posted on 19/3/18
It was always my understanding you could be carded whil still within the Area of play or Stadium.
posted on 19/3/18
Generous scores for Chilwell and Nacho. I would have given the former 5 and the latter 4 at best. Agree that Albrighton deserves an 8 And was my choice for MOtM
posted on 19/3/18
I thought we played well overall. Heading for penalties until Kasper's brainfart.
Don't see much to disagree with in your assessment Dunge.
posted on 19/3/18
In an apathetic way, I broadly agree. But I’ll try and rouse myself for debate.
Albrighton. Definitely an 8. The only player capable of creating anything on the day for me, and one of his best games whilst surrounded by players intent on playing a duff pass or making the wrong choice offensively.
Ndidi. What a player he is. Agree on MOTM. Really suited our early tempo and the only player that executed it. Shame all in front of him were as toothless as they have been for some time now.
Simpson. I actually thought did much better getting forward. Just had zero final ball when he did. Like Chilwell, or anyone else yesterday to be fair.
Penetration. That’s the word I keep muttering to myself. We just don’t have any anymore. We’re not creating goalscoring chances despite having Some real talent in Mahrez, Vardy and Ndidi.
How can that be? Puel keeps talking about tempo but I think he’s wrong. It’s penetration. We’re not getting in positions to get players in on goal, and when we get close to doing so, Chilwell or Nacho gives it away.
It’s not working. This is blatently obvious to all who watch our games. Thank heavens Iborra is back to get the best from Ndidi. Now Puel needs to quickly look ahead of him to see how we get the best from Mahrez and Vardy. Because right now Vardy may as well be Alinbiyi for the service he’s getting.
In conclusion, I’m sure Puel will be given more time and he should. Two new attacking full backs might fix things in the summer who knows, but I’m growing increasingly worried that he’s now taking us backwards.
posted on 20/3/18
Apart from my earlier ramblings (I was trying to deflect away from the point of turgid football under the new boss), I also thought Simpson performed well in the first half with some good crosses into the box and was well worth that 6.
posted on 21/3/18
Nice article OP.