Player ratings vs. Fulham

This "winning at home" things could catch on. I don't know why we haven't thought of it before this season.

Here are my ratings.

Schmeichel: 6 - There has been talk of Rodgers' preference for a sweeper keeper; therefore it was interesting to see Schmeichel embracing that more today. He played out from the back where he could. It remains to be seen whether this will lead to mistakes.
Ricardo: 7 - Defensive positioning was frustrating at times as he gave Sessegnon a free run down the wing in the first half an hour which wasn't capitalised upon. But this is a player who likes to get involved and gave plenty of assistance to the attack.
Evans: 8 - Calm in dealing with Mitrovic and mopped things up at the back with little fuss.
Maguire: 7 - Came across as a little clumsy at times, but got the job done against a team who didn't put him under a great deal of pressure.
Chilwell: 6 - Made a mistake that got punished. The key is to learn from such things though, and this season has suggested that he will.
Ndidi: 8 - Given instructions to sit in front of the back 4 and play the ball simply. Didn't push forward like Puel wanted him to do and looked all the more comfortable for it. Played to his strengths and, although untidy at times on the ball, it wasn't so noticeable or problematic.
Gray: 6 - Started well, then slowly got swallowed up by the game. Struggled under close physical attention from Fulham and his head dropped at the equaliser.
Tielemans: 9 - His vision has been badly missing from the team all season. Still lacking some fitness, as evidenced by his substitution, but his quality is increasingly clear.
Maddison: 7 - Fine ball for Vardy's first and keen as always to get on the ball. Needs to work on controlling the ball on the half turn, as the lack of momentum is costing him. Also his set pieces seem to have gone off a bit as compared to earlier in the season.
Barnes: 8 - Looks at time like he might be losing confidence, then suddenly comes up with something to show his speed and ability. Unlucky not to score but did get an assist through sheer persistence.
Vardy: 9 - Rodgers said a little while back that he wants Vardy to be a leader on the pitch. Today, he came up with the goods when his team were rocking. But this was also the first time in ages when the team around him created good chances for him. My choice for our MOTM.

Ghezzal: 6 - Didn't particularly stand out either way. Average.
Okazaki: 7 - Looks determined to show his continued worth to the team and put in a lot of effort. Unfortunately his finishing ability remains as it always was.
Mendy: 8 - Sharp and determined in the tackle. I can't truly see a place for him in the first choice 11 going forward but did a fine job today.


I would think that Rodgers will be very pleased with the first half. There's been a lot of talk about the I word this season: Intensity. Well, this was much more like it. We had possession today, but we also pressed high up the pitch, didn't let Fulham settle and forced mistakes as well as giving the defence an easier time as a result. The second half was a lesson: Cruising, Fulham scored a scruffy goal and a lot of our players lost their heads. Shape and focus went, particularly from the younger players, and momentum shifted significantly. Fortunately, Vardy dug us out of trouble and once we were back in front the focus returned.

A final note: This was also an opportunity to see Rodgers' work, albeit just a week of it. I liked what I saw: Pressing, passing, getting best use out of influential players like Vardy and Ndidi. Plus the substitutions were decisive and intuitive. More like this, please.