So, turns out that match was worth getting out of bed for after all.
Here are my ratings:
Schmeichel: 7 - Had some rasping shots to deal with, although two terrible pieces of distribution at the end of the first half could have easily been punished.
Ricardo: 9 - Really impressive dealing with a tricky Sané for much of the match. His defending has come on no end as compared to earlier in the season, in both positioning and balance. Made some key tackles and scored a thunderbolt. Best player on the pitch and my choice for our MOTM.
Morgan: 7 - Another who's looking better as compared to earlier in the season. Perhaps he and Maguire are coming to an understanding.
Maguire: 8 - Used his assets well in dealing with Aguero. Kept his defending simple while proving reliable at playing out from the back.
Chilwell: 7 - Couldn't be as attacking as usual and fought hard to stay on top of the situation defensively. Won the war.
Choudhury: 8 - I wonder whether his recent inclusion and relative success has boosted the team somewhat. After all, seeing someone from the youth team come in against top opposition, show so much energy and commitment around the pitch and dispossess top players raises the bar for everyone else.
Mendy: 7 - Had a quiet first half and kept to a limited area of the pitch to protect the back 4. Undemonstratively good.
Ndidi: 8 - Looked much more like the player we know today, perhaps aided by not having to make decisions in possession. Still effective at winning the ball, even against top players.
Albrighton: 8 - Out on his feet at the end for how much effort he put in. Produced the calm finish a fine cross deserved for the equaliser.
Maddison: 7 - Another where it was interesting to see him up against the best to see how he fitted in. He held his own, although didn't produce any particular moments of magic.
Vardy: 7 - Unfortunate that his best chance fell to him when he was struggling with a toe injury picked up a minute or so beforehand. Still provided a source of penetration throughout and put in a great cross for Albrighton's goal.
Gray: 6 - An attacking substitution. Did alright without standing out.
Simpson: 7 - Given the task of continuing to keep Sané quiet, which he did well. kept things as solid as they had been, which is not necessarily easy for a change in defender.
Okazaki: n/a - Chased and bothered as required.
Puel has deserved criticism tactically earlier this season, and it's only fair that he get praised today. After around 25 minutes, he altered the original formation to put Choudhury on the right hand side and Maddison in the number 10 role, where Man City didn't have a recognised defensive midfielder to marshal him. It worked well and opened Man City up. His subs were also very good, where they haven't necessarily been in the past.
As for Man City, clearly they're still blessed with a plethora of talent but that team didn't look like a league winner. More, it looked like a team with a glass jaw. Liverpool fans must be rubbing their hands together.
Player ratings vs. Man City
posted on 28/12/18
comment by Nevsaysagoal2city (U5194)
posted 39 minutes ago
TB talking BS again Man city paid £60 m for a bench warmer to quote BS apart from Harry no LCFC would make the first team of those above us.
Look at Drinkwater and whats happened to him but your not interested in the facts are you.
Just wining me up and then accusing me of attacking posters.
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Haha but you said we're 'punching above our weight', we're not talking about the top 6 are we?
Fancy quoting Man City as an example who do spend £60 million on a bench warmer.
posted on 28/12/18
Ok, on another point, I’ve watched the highlights again and I’m convinced we didn’t go 4-4-1-1 after the switch.
As I saw it on the pitch, I though Choudhury and Albrighton we up alongside Maddison in more of a 4-2-3-1. Maddison in the #10 role.
Why is this significant? Well for me it shows that if we are more aggressive, press higher and try to be more attack minded, that formation could bear more fruit.
Who would have realised it needed Choudhury as a right winger to find out 😂
posted on 28/12/18
Jesus give it a rest we are seventh one off six you are talking out of your bottom
Haha but you said we're 'punching above our weight', we're not talking about the top 6 are we?
Fancy quoting Man City as an example who do spend £60 million on a bench warmer.
posted on 28/12/18
Nev, what is it you mean by ‘punching above our weight’? I’m guessing maybe you’ve used the wrong catchphrase? Genuinely confused.
posted on 28/12/18
Punching above our weight would be correct if we were one of the favourites to be relegated. To be in 7th-12th (and there are 2-3 points separating those positions) would be punching above your weight
Considering we have spent £103m this summer alone on top of £25m for Iheanacho and £18m for Maguire last year, I’d say aiming for 7th is about right
posted on 28/12/18
I’m guessing maybe you mean that we are doing well to be in touching distance of 6th despite inconsistent form? Which I would agree with
posted on 28/12/18
I thinks comparing ourselves the teams currently just below us. I’d really struggle to name a selection where I’d be thinking ‘wow, we are doing fantastically well to be 1 or 2 points ahead of them’
In fact, and I may be being a little ungrateful here, considering Man United’s atrocious season, I am a little disappointed that they are the team keeping us off of 6th.
posted on 28/12/18
so are we a nailed on premiership team who would always be in the top "7" ?
If you think that then you can't of been around for long a yoyo team who achieved the impossible sandwiched between two near relegation seasons
Where does this sense of entitlement come from anything above 10th is good ?
posted on 28/12/18
Once again did anybody say that, just because your statement has been questioned.
posted on 28/12/18
comment by Nevsaysagoal2city (U5194)
posted 2 hours, 30 minutes ago
so are we a nailed on premiership team who would always be in the top "7" ?
If you think that then you can't of been around for long a yoyo team who achieved the impossible sandwiched between two near relegation seasons
Where does this sense of entitlement come from anything above 10th is good ?
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The past is irrelevant. Different eras and different managers under different ownership: You once said yourself ‘say goodbye to the old Leicester’, just after we won promotion. The yo yo days of little old Leicester are gone
Now I’m not suggesting for a minute that we are or should be considered top 7 regulars. But Europe is the aim of the owners - it always has been. They have ambition for the club that goes beyond fighting to stay up.
This is reflected by the £103m spent this summer on top of large outlays since the title win. It’s reflected in the £100k wages for Vardy and £90k for Maguire.