Leicester City locked horns with Championship side Sheffield United in their FA Cup 5th Round match at the King’s Power Stadium. The Foxes looked to dominate the proceedings from the very first minute but were unable to make the game a stroll in the park as the Blades proved to be a hard enough opposition to be beaten easily.
However, it was the Mahrez-Vardy partnership that saw the former Premier League champions get the all-important winning goal as the Englishman met at the end of a well-directed cross from the Algerian playmaker, making his return to the first team after a self-imposed exile that saw him missing a few matches and training sessions. The looping header from Vardy proved to be the only goal of the game and helped the Foxes to cement their place in the next round of the FA Cup.
Claude Puel started with his first team players in this match, looking to seal it and was successful in doing so. The players did their best to keep their winning run in the competition intact and were rated in the following manner from their hard-earned win against Sheffield United.
Kasper Schmeichel: 6/10
Did his level best to keep the opposition strikers at bay. Made a crucial save to deny Baldock and kept a clean sheet.
Danny Simpson: 7/10
Was up to the task throughout the match. One of the best players for the Foxes on the night.
Wes Morgan: 6/10
Put all his experience to work against the Blades and helped his side to an important victory. Solid defensive display alongside his partner Maguire.
Harry Maguire: 8/10
Looked rock solid in the backline throughout the match. Made crucial interceptions and blocks to keep his side out of harm’s way. No doubt the big guns of English football are rooting for him.
Ben Chilwell: 6/10
Looked good on the break while going forward with the ball. However, has to work on his defensive style.
Wilfried Ndidi: 7/10
A solid display in the midfield. Fast establishing himself as a good replacement for Danny Drinkwater in the side.
Vicente Iborra: 5/10
Did not look in great shape. His mistakes in the middle of the pitch were well covered up by Ndidi’s composure.
Riyad Mahrez: 8/10
Looked absolutely brilliant from the word go. Was lively on the pitch and set up the winner for his side to assist Vardy. It seems he is certainly looking to move on.
Kelechi Iheanacho: 7/10
Played well in the secondary striker role behind Vardy.
Demarai Gray: 7/10
Dished out a display filled with energy and exuberance throughout the match. His bag of tricks proved too much for the Sheffield United defenders on several occasions.
Jamie Vardy: 7/10
Was not his best night as a couple of chances went begging for the Englishman. However, delivered when it was most needed and scored the all-important goal to get his team over the line.
