Jamie Vardy was in his elements as Leicester City cruised to a 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at the King Power Stadium on Thursday.
Both sides created a clear-cut opportunity to break the deadlock in the early exchanges, with Kelechi Iheanacho and Mbaye Diagne being guilty of being wasteful in front of goal. The profligacy proved to be costly for West Bromwich Albion in particular, as Leicester City went on a rampage after grabbing the lead midway through the first half.
Jamie Vardy broke the deadlock in typical fashion, scoring his first goal since February by meeting Timothy Castagne’s squared pass from close range. Shortly after, Leicester were two to the good, as Jonny Evans headed in from a corner before the win was rounded off ten minutes later, when Iheanacho received the ball from Vardy and scored his 11th goal in eight games.
The second half saw Leicester go in cruise control mode, preserving energy for the challenges to come in the future to kill the game off, with the 3-0 win taking them four points clear of West Ham United in 5th, while West Brom suffered a major hit to their hopes of staving off relegation. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Brendan Rodgers’s men.
Kasper Schmeichel: 7/10
A largely quiet evening for the Leicester City skipper, who had just one save to make in the game. Indeed, Schmeichel did more work with his feet than with his gloves, misplacing just 3 of the 22 passes he attempted.
Wesley Fofana: 7/10
Solid performance by Fofana, who showed exactly why Manchester United are hot on his trails. Imperious in the air, the Frenchman won each of his 3 aerial duels while completing an impressive 3 interceptions as well. Hardly misplaced a pass while moving further up the pitch, which ensured effective build-up.
Jonny Evans: 8/10
The standout in an efficient Leicester defence, Evans kept the backline organised and disciplined for the most part, which meant West Brom were reduced to just one shot on target. Took his goal well, caressing the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0. Won each of the 3 duels he contested while completing 92 percent of his attempted passes.
Caglar Soyuncu: 7/10
A solid effort by Soyuncu, who won 5 duels while completing a couple of tackles to keep the ball as far away from Schmeichel as possible. With Leicester firmly in control after an early onslaught by West Brom, the Turk took his opportunity to veer into the midfield, completing 88 percent of his attempted passes as well.
Timothy Castagne: 8/10
Timothy Castagne vs. West Brom:
92% pass accuracy
5 chances created (most)
4 duels won
3 ball recoveries
2 crosses
2 tackles
1 interception
1 shotHe created more chances than the entire West Brom side combined. pic.twitter.com/dEbMowKgyc
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 22, 2021
A rampaging effort by Castagne, who delivered the assist for the goal that got Leicester rolling, setting up Jamie Vardy superbly. Completed 92 percent of his passes while also delivering more key passes than anyone else in the game (5). Not put under too much pressure defensively, though he did complete a couple of tackles. Job well done.
Wilfred Ndidi: 8/10
There are hardly any players in the Premier League who do the mop-up job better in the Premier League than Ndidi. The holding midfielder made a number of recoveries while winning 10 duels and completing 6 tackles, in addition to 3 interceptions. He did all that and more without really feeling the pressure in what was a solid effort.
Wilfred Ndidi made more tackles (5) and more ball recoveries (10) than any other player against West Brom.
Putting in another shift in midfield. ? pic.twitter.com/S0m8mwMBFE
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 22, 2021
Youri Tielemans: 8/10
Tielemans was as Tielemans usually is in a Leicester City win, pulling the strings effortlessly from the middle of the park to put his side in control over West Brom. Saw the ball more often than any other player on the pitch (115 touches) while being instrumental in opening up play leading up to Vardy’s goal, as it was the Belgian playmaker who found Timothy Castagne. Efficient as ever.
Luke Thomas: 7/10
Drafted in at left wing-back, Thomas produced a largely professional display, although there were a few sloppy moments on the ball. Exchanged the ball smartly with Vardy in the build-up to the third Leicester goal, scored by Kelechi Iheanacho, while he also played a key pass. Defensively, he did not have to break a sweat for the most part, but he did complete 4 interceptions.
James Maddison: 7/10
Back in the starting lineup, Maddison provided some nice ball progression from the no. 10 slot to help overpower the West Brom defence. Only Castagne played more key passes than the English international’s four, and he showed that there is no better player in the side to link the midfield with the attack than him. Has to improve further from here, though.
Kelechi Iheanacho: 7/10
Kelechi Ịheanachọ in the first half vs. West Brom:
◉ Most shots (5)
◉ Most take-ons (4/4)
◉= Most shots on target (2)A constant threat. pic.twitter.com/xsOLlUdDlv
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 22, 2021
The Player to Watch in our preview, Iheanacho made a decent enough start to the game, only to make a meal out of a 1v1 situation. The Nigerian international did get his goal nearly half an hour later, receiving the ball from Vardy to score his 11th goal in eight games. Missed from a number of other efforts, but the job was already done.
Jamie Vardy: 9/10
A top class performance by Vardy, who is finally back among the goals after failing to score since February. The finish for his strike was typically composed as well, but it was his run and the subsequent lay-off for Iheanacho that was the standout moment, as Vardy delivered the assist for the third goal that Leicester scored. Will hope to kick on from here and finish the season strongly.
12 – Jamie Vardy has scored his first goal in 12 appearances for Leicester City in all competitions, ending his longest run without a goal for the club since December 2016 (16 apps). Quenched. pic.twitter.com/9NS8qTZ4lA
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 22, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Marc Albrighton: 7/10
There were a couple of sloppy moments immediately after he came on for Fofana. Albrighton, though, did not put a foot wrong in the final quarter of the game, even conjuring up a key pass.
Ayoze Perez: N/A
Hardly involved after replacing Maddison, with Leicester in cruise control mode.
Dennis Praet: N/A
A late introduction, Praet helped see the game out.
