Abdul Fatawu magic, 2/10 has game to forget – Leicester City player ratings vs Birmingham City
Leicester City’s woes have been made even worse after a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City on Saturday, with the Foxes finishing the contest with 10 men.
The Foxes travelled to Saint. Andrews’, as Andy King was looking for an ambitious win against a team who are always solid on their own patch in Birmingham City.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid was sent off in the first half, and Leicester had an uphill battle for most of the game.
Chris Davies’ side took the lead early on through Ibrahim Osman, as Abdul Fatawu‘s equaliser was cancelled out by Jay Stansfield’s second-half winner.
Leicester sacked Mart Cifuentes recently, and King has been trying his best to get a tune out of a struggling side that is devoid of any confidence.
The loss has kept the Foxes hovering just above the relegation zone on 32 points after their points deduction, and times are starting to look very worrying.
Abdul Fatawu was at his brilliant best vs Birmingham City
Fatawu was subject to interest in the winter window as expected, but the winger decided to stay at the club, as he will most likely depart now in the summer.
The 21-year-old has been a shining light for the Foxes on many occasions, and it was no different against Birmingham.
He got Leicester back on level terms shortly after they conceded with a simply sublime finish following a throw-in.
- Fatawu’s goal had an expected goal rate of 0.05
- He is now on seven goals for the season in the league
A left-footed strike that almost took the net out of the goal, but it wasn’t enough to help the Foxes in what is now a relegation scrap under King.
Leicester have a chance of staying up, but they have to hope that Fatawu stays fit.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s moment of idiocy cost his side
De Cordova-Reid’s red card was reckless and put his team at a disadvantage in such an early stage of the game.
He fouled Osman in Birmingham’s own half when there was no need to, and his lapse of concentration has only heaped more pressure onto his side.
De Cordova-Reid hasn’t exactly been firing in the final third either, so his dismissal won’t win any more supporters over.
He will now miss the next three games, as King will have to look at who will replace the forward in the number 10 position.
Leicester player ratings vs Birmingham
Asmir Begovic – 6
Luke Thomas – 5
Ben Nelson – 5
Jamaal Lascelles – 7
Ricardo Pereira – 6
Oliver Skipp – 6
Joel Aribo – 5
Stephy Mavididi – 6
Bobby De Cordova-Reid – 2
Abdul Fatawu – 8
Patson Daka – 6
Substitutes
Harry Winks – 5
Olabade Aluko – 6
Divine Mukasa – 5
Jordan Ayew – 4
Dujan Richards – 6