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The top of the table clash did not live up to the expectations, but one thing which everyone was waiting for did happen – Vardy scoring in the eleventh match running and breaking the record of former Manchester United striker’s – Ruud Van Nistelrooy – record.
Vardy opened the scoring at the King Power Stadium, but Bastian Schweinsteiger equalised for the visitors in the first half. A drab second half failed to yield any goals as Manchester City climbed to the top of the table courtesy a dominant win over Southampton.
Leicester City
Kasper Schmeichel – 6.5/10
The son of United legend, Peter Schmeichel, Kasper did well to keep United’s attackers from scoring more than once. The Danish shot-stopper did brilliantly to stop Schweinsteiger from scoring off another corner earlier in the second half.
Christian Fuchs – 7/10
The full-back had a brilliant match as it was his tremendous through ball to Vardy which led to Leicester’s goal. He was defensively dominant as well and was instrumental in breaking the visitors’ attacks with smart interceptions.
Wes Morgan – 6.5/10
The Leicester City centre-back was rock solid at the back and did well to contain Wayne Rooney.
Robert Huth – 6.5/10
After United started pouring players up the field in the second half, Huth led from the back and confirmed the defence was not breached again.
Danny Simpson – 6/10
The full-back had a decent game as he kept Ashley Young at bay in the first-half. As the game grew on, Young began to ascert his domination and that prompted Claudio Ranieri to take him off for Ritchie De Laet in the 80th minute.
Daniel Drinkwater – 6.5/10
The midfielder, who has been one of the stars for City this season, played good enough to restrict the experienced Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger from playing their trademark long balls and played good passes when the Foxes counter-attacked United.
N’Golo Kante – 6/10
Kante paired up well with Drinkwater to hold the midfield and was positionally present at the right places to deny United’s midfielder from dominating the game.
Marc Albrighton – 6.5/10
The dimunitive Leicester midfielder had a good match against the 20-times English champions, playing few good crosses in the United box, but he was forced to play as a left back for the majority of the second half, Albrighton did well to hold United’s attack from that flank and was substituted by Jeffrey Schlupp in the 70th minute.
Riyad Mahrez – 6/10
Mahrez did not perform at he level we have been accustomed to seeing this season. Other than a few brilliant dribbles in the first half, he was ineffective for the entire match. Despite having an off day, he played Leonardo Ulloa through on goal, whose tame shot was cleared by David De Gea.
Shinji Okazaki – 5.5/10
He partnered up well with Vardy upfront, but was at fault for United’s goal. The Japanese striker was substituted for Ulloa in the 60th minute of the game
Jamie Vardy – 7/10
The England international did not have much to do in the match, but latched on to the one chance he got and created history after he scored for the 11th match running. With his goal, he extended his lead at the top in the race for the Premier League golden boot.
Substitutes:
Leonardo Ulloa (60’) – 4.5/10
He was brought in for Okazaki in the 60th minute, but struck a tame shot off the only chance he got.
Jeffrey Schlupp (70’) – 5/10
Schlupp was introduced to inject some pace on the flanks for Leicester, but other than a couple of runs he was not allowed to do much by United’s resolute defense.
Ritchie De Laet (80’) – N/A
De Laet spent just 10 minutes on the pitch.
Manchester United
David de Gea – 6.5/10
The United shot-stopper was as good as always with his reflex saves, however, he could have done better to stop Vardy who scored from a tight angle.
Paddy McNair – 6.5/10
The young United defender played well as he helped United restrict the best attack in the league to just 1 goal at the King Power Stadium.
Chris Smalling – 6.5/10
Another accomplished showing from United’s best performer so far this season.
Daley Blind – 7/10
The Dutch international was, probably, the best performer for the Red Devils. It was from his corner that Schweinsteiger headed the ball in for his maiden goal for his new team.
Ashley Young – 6/10
He put in some decent crosses, but was weak defensively.
Matteo Darmian – 6/10
Deployed as a wing back, the Italian failed to impress in a rare outing. He did not track Vardy’s run, from which the England international scored.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – 6.5/10
The German workhorse underperformed in the first half, however, his goal triggered an improvement in performance. Another brilliant header off another corner was saved by Schmeichel in the second half.
Michael Carrick – 5.5/10
He was quite flat in the match and did not have a major impact in the match.
Juan Mata – 6/10
The Spaniard’s distribution was good, but due to being deployed on the right, United failed to get him involved.
Wayne Rooney – 4/10
The England and Manchester United captain played another forgettable match. He squandered quite a few chances in the final third and gave the ball away frequently, after suffering a knock trying to head home a corner. He was substituted by Memphis Depay in the 68th minute.
Anthony Martial – 5.5/10
The Frenchman was rusty after coming back from an injury layoff.
Substitutes:
Memphis (68’) – 4.5/10
The Dutch winger put in a poor performance yet again. He squandered a golden chance when Darmian’s header found him in front of the goal.
