Conor Coady stinks, Stephy Mavididi only positive – Leicester ratings v Newcastle
Leicester City crept closer to Premier League relegation after losing 3-0 to Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is under immense pressure at Leicester, with his side now 15 points away from safety and just waiting for the same fate as Ivan Juric and Southampton.
The Foxes got off to the worst start as Jacob Murphy netted after just three minutes, and Van Nistelrooy couldn’t hide his outrage, before the Magpies man added a second eight minutes later.
Harvey Barnes added a third for Newcastle before the game settled into a lull, with Leicester never threatening a fight back.
Ruud van Nistelrooy closer to Leicester City sack after Newcastle thumping
Mads Hermansen – 3
Made a couple of saves but could not spare his team’s blushes after Fabian Schar’s effort from the halfway line, with Murphy firing home the rebound.
James Justin (On for Ricardo Pereira 75′) – 4
Has continued to set an example for his teammates throughout a difficult season, but going up against Barnes, the right-back was always going to struggle tonight.
Wout Faes – 5
The Belgium made a number of key interventions on the right-hand side of the Foxes’ back three. With Newcastle’s attack, though, it was never going to be an easy time.
Conor Coady – 2
For someone so experienced, it was a truly disastrous display from the centre-back, making several errors with his passing and could have been the result of a much worse scoreline.
Luke Thomas – 4
Quite a standard display from the 23-year-old. Got stuck into challenges but can’t be awarded any higher after conceding three goals at home with no reply.
Victor Kristiansen (On for Stephy Mavididi 46′) – 5
Probably Leicester’s most solid-looking defender on the night, so it was a surprise to see him taken off at half-time. Created a couple of chances but was a bit too inaccurate with his crosses.
The Foxes’ midfield struggles to keep up with Eddie Howe’s side
Wilfried Ndidi – 5
Despite picking up a yellow card, he continued to push his team forward and went full speed into each and every challenge. Puts his body on the line every game for the Foxes.
Boubakary Soumare – 4
Much like Ndidi, but with a few missed challenges, he could not earn the same rating as his midfield partner.
Patson Daka (Off for Facundo Buonanotte 46′) – 4
Possibly unlucky to be replaced at half-time, having shown some positive bursts of pace in the opening 45 minutes. Just couldn’t find the final pass or stay on his feet long enough to find a pass.
Bilal El Khannouss (On for Jeremy Monga 75′) – 5
Leicester’s main goal threat, other than Vardy, and helped create a single chance in the final third. Will likely leave the King Power in the summer if the Foxes are relegated.
Stephy Mavididi offers more from the bench, but it’s not enough
Jamie Vardy – 5
This could be Vardy’s final season at Leicester, but he tried everything to get his team on the scoresheet, especially troubling Nick Pope in the opening few seconds of the game.
Substitutes
Facundo Buonanotte (On for Daka 46′) – 5
Offered a little more than Daka in the second half. Had a shot and attempted to close the Newcastle player down.
Stephy Mavididi (On for Kristiansen 46′) – 6
Brought a positive impact to the pitch, kicking and screaming as he pulled his team up the pitch and fought for every ball.
Jeremy Monga (On for El Khannouss 75′) – N/A
Ricardo Pereira (On for Justin 75′) – N/A