Stephy Mavididi stuns, Conor Coady awful – Leicester ratings in draw vs Brighton
Stephy Mavididi scored Leicester’s first Premier League goal since January to help them to a draw against Brighton.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s time in charge of Leicester seems to be coming to an end, but the Dutch manager saw his side finally put an end to their losing run against the Seagulls.
Having conceded a penalty, which was converted by Joao Pedro, it seemed to be the same old story for the Foxes.
However, Mavididi scored Leicester’s first Premier League goal since 26 January, and whilst another penalty gave Brighton the lead once again, the Foxes fought back to valiantly earn themselves a point.
Whilst the result will do little in their fight against relegation, the Midlands side looked a team reborn in the second-half, and there will be hope that even if they do go down, they can do so with a fight.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester put up a fight vs Brighton
Mads Hermansen – 7
Let down by his defenders. Hermansen made four great saves, but there’s little a goalkeeper can do when his defenders insist on giving away penalties.
James Justin – 5
Justin could be a really good Premier League right-back, but in this Leicester side, his attacking runs lead to little, and his centre-backs have been utter liabilities for most of the season.
Caleb Okoli – 8
Brilliant. Okoli joined from Atalanta in the summer, but took his time to find his feet in England. The Italian scored a sublime diving header to equalise for the Foxes.
Conor Coady – 2
What was he thinking? The England international gave away a silly penalty in the first half, allowing Pedro to score the first of his two penalties, just as Leicester were finding their feet in the match. Fans will have been wishing Coady’s move to Wolves in January had been completed on today’s showing.
James Justin endures frustrating afternoon for Leicester
Luke Thomas (off for Pereira 61′) – 4
Strange performance. The left-back was once heralded for big things, and whilst his quality occasionally shines through, his mistakes override that. Gave away a penalty for refusing to let go of Matt O’Riley’s shirt.
Wilfried Ndidi (off for Skipp 61′) – 6
Perhaps a little unfortunate to be substituted, but Leicester were crying out for a more progressive passer in midfield, and Ndidi is not that.
Boubakary Soumare – 7
A tidy performer in the heart of the midfield, would likely thrive with a more creative midfielder next to him, but options are limited for the Foxes.
Kasey McAteer (off for Evans 90′) – 6
Frustrating afternoon for McAteer. The Irish winger was a valiant runner, giving Pervis Estupinan all sorts of trouble, but his lack of end product cancelled out all of the good work he was doing.
Bilal El Khannouss – 8
A touch of class. El Khannouss remains one of the few Leicester players who will survive this season with their reputation still intact, a truly sublime whipped cross set-up Okoli for the equaliser.
Stephy Mavididi (off for Reid 90′) – 9 – Player-of-the-Match
Where has this talented and direct winger been hiding? A key part of the Foxes’ title charge in the Championship last year, Mavididi impressed off the bench against Newcastle in the week, and Van Nistelrooy made a great call in starting the winger against Brighton.
Jamie Vardy absent for Leicester vs Brighton
Jamie Vardy (off for Daka 61′) – 4
The party is over. Vardy will go down in Premier League folklore as one of the best feel-good stories, making his way from non-league to champion of England, but in this Leicester side, there is little for the 38-year-old to work with. Subbed off on the hour-mark having had no impact at all.
Substitutes
Patson Daka (on for Vardy 61′) – 5
Hit the post from six-yards out, had several other opportunities. The story of the Zambian’s Leicester career has been a lack of clinical finishing, which was on show against Brighton.
Oliver Skipp (on for Ndidi 61′) – 6
Whilst his career in the Midlands is yet to get going, Skipp came off the bench with plenty of energy and a willingness to take chances with his passing.
Ricardo Pereira (on for Thomas 61′) – 8
Inverting into the midfield when in possession, Pereira’s introduction completely revitalised Leicester.
Bobby Reid (on for Mavididi 90′) – N/A
Was not on long enough to have an impact.
Jake Evans (on for McAteer 90′) – N/A
A great moment as the youngster made his Premier League debut.