JibrinLeicester City player ratings v Stoke as sublime 9/10 star can lead Gary Rowett survival charge
How we scored the Leicester City players as a dramatic finale saw Gary Rowett’s debut end in a draw, with a goal conceded at the death and then late chances missed
Leicester City were denied a comeback victory on Gary Rowett’s debut after they coughed up another late goal and then twice hit the woodwork in a chaotic draw at Stoke.
Divine Mukasa and Harry Winks netted in the second half to set up what appeared to be a first victory in seven Championship games for City.
But with 60 seconds left on the clock, Ben Wilmot, who had given Stoke a half-time lead, met a back-post cross to level the contest.
Still, there was time for City to grab a winner, and they came agonizingly close to it, with Ben Nelson flicking onto the bar and Luke Thomas heading against the post in the dying moments.
The draw means City are now winless in seven and remain stuck in the relegation zone, albeit only one point from safety after West Brom’s loss to Coventry.
A clean sheet would have been at the top of Rowett’s agenda for his opening fixture, but it was surrendered within three minutes.
City only half-cleared a corner and after Oliver Skipp failed to put enough pressure on Ben Pearson, he whipped in a cross to Wilmot, who had evaded the attention of Victor Kristiansen and powered a header down into the ground and into the net.
It truly was a dreadful start from City, who were barely able to escape their own half. Stoke swung in plenty of dangerous crosses, with City just about surviving, Tatsuki Seko coming close to turning in one delivery.
Even after City weathered that storm, it was still Stoke carving out the bigger chances, and they needed Asmir Begovic at his best to readjust and tip Aaron Cresswell’s deflected shot around the post.
Then Caleb Okoli had to be alert to deny Milan Smit after Ben Nelson’s heavy touch conceded a two-on-one.
Eventually, City started to find their rhythm, finally crafting their own chance with 10 minutes to go in the first period, Ricardo stinging the palms of Tommy Simkin with a 20-yard drive.
City built on those improvements in the early stages of the second half, and it soon led to the equalizer.
Positive, progressive football saw Stephy Mavididi tee up Mukasa for a shot, and while it was blocked, Jeremy Monga kept the ball alive and fed it back to the Man City loanee.
He whipped in a devilish delivery that fooled everyone in the box, the ball nestling in the corner of the net.
Stoke had an immediate chance to retake the lead, Smit volleying into the side-netting, but otherwise it was City in the ascendancy.
Mavididi had a long-range effort tipped wide, Mukasa sweetly volleyed just past the post, and then, with 15 minutes to go, they snatched the winner.
After a shot was blocked, Daka laid off to Mukasa, who took a touch to control and then another to sublimely back-heel to Winks, who struck through the bodies and into the net from the edge of the box.
But there was more chaos to come. With a minute to go, Sorba Thomas crossed to the far post and Wilmot, having peeled off Luke Thomas, tapped in.
However, there were six minutes added, and City managed to create three more massive chances. First, Joe Aribo was denied at point-blank range, then Nelson headed Luke Thomas’s long throw against the crossbar.
Then, with seconds on the clock, Thomas met Mukasa’s rear-post cross from point-blank range, somehow turning it onto the post. The whistle blew and the City players slumped to the turf, knowing a golden chance to win had slipped away. Here’s how we scored the players.
Asmir Begovic: He pulled off an excellent save to tip Cresswell’s deflected shot past the post and he looked commanding to punch or claim crosses delivered into his six-yard box. 6
Ricardo Pereira: He had City’s finest moment of the first half with a well-hit shot and moved the ball tidily in the second period as Rowett’s side improved. He wasn’t too troubled defensively either, positioning himself well to cover balls over the top. 6
Caleb Okoli: He miscontrolled a simple pass that was indicative of a shaky start, but he recovered well after that, bailing out Nelson with a vital block, and then winning plenty of headers. 7
Ben Nelson: He endured a rough first half. He was aimless with his passing and a horribly heavy touch let Stoke in for a two-on-one. He improved after the interval and made himself a threat at the other end, going close at the death. 5
Victor Kristiansen: He lost touch with Wilmot for the opening goal, allowing the defender a clean header at close range. After that, and before his first-half injury, he didn’t look especially assured defensively, while he contributed little on the ball. 4
Harry Winks: He was not in the game at all for the first half-hour, but once City found their footing, he did too. He moved the ball very calmly and into the right areas to get City onto the attack often, while striking crisply to score what he thought would be the winner. 8
Oliver Skipp: He was too slow to press out for the opening goal, but picked up after that. He made a crucial tackle early in the second half to get fans singing his name, and took a lovely touch to deceive his man and spark the attack for Mukasa’s goal. Provided a solid outlet for Winks. 7
Jeremy Monga: He was invisible in the first half, but really got stuck in during the second period, and was unfortunate not to win more free-kicks as Stoke players roughed him up and tugged his shirt. Was substituted just as he was starting to look more dangerous. 5
Divine Mukasa: The lad is brilliant. His goal may have been a cross, but the quality of the delivery helped catch out Simkin. He then set up Winks’ goal with a sublime touch, and could have had three more assists for Mavididi and Aribo, as well as Thomas with the last kick of the game. With him on the pitch, City will carve out chances. 9
Stephy Mavididi: He looked frustrated after the early Stoke goal and wasn’t in the game in the first half. But he stepped up after the break, driving at Stoke’s back-line, drawing fouls and linking well with Mukasa. They seem to be on the same wavelength. 6
Patson Daka: His running up front felt futile in the first half, with City neither a threat in possession nor when pressing. He didn’t do much in the second half either, but did play one lovely pass to Mukasa in the build-up to Winks’ goal. 5
Luke Thomas: He moved the ball better than Kristiansen did and blocked crosses on his side. But he was dragged infield and lost Wilmot for the late equalizer, and then squandered a sitter at the death. 5
Joe Aribo: In an unusual position on the right, he displayed good strength to retain the ball, and kept attacks moving without creating chances himself. Should perhaps have buried his late chance. 6
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