Leicester City’s struggles continued as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium, marking their sixth consecutive Premier League loss. Goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marc Guéhi in the second half helped Crystal Palace extend their unbeaten away run to six matches, a record-equalling feat for the club in the top flight. The victory also lifted Palace eight points clear of the relegation zone, while Leicester remain deeply entrenched in it.
The match began with an open and fast-paced tempo, with both teams creating chances. Jamie Vardy, leading Leicester’s attack, had several opportunities in the first half. He came close to scoring after being set up by Stephy Mavididi, who displayed impressive skill, but Vardy’s efforts were either wide or saved by Dean Henderson. Henderson, in fine form, earned chants of “England’s No. 1” from the traveling Palace supporters.
Crystal Palace, bolstered by the return of key players who missed their FA Cup victory due to illness, looked dangerous on the counterattack. Tyrick Mitchell’s cross from the left provided a golden opportunity for Eberechi Eze, who showcased his technical ability by controlling the ball with ease before attempting a shot. However, Mateta inadvertently blocked the effort, much to the frustration of his teammates.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi scores their second goal against Leicester.
Despite the missed opportunities in the first half, Palace found their breakthrough early in the second. Ismaïla Sarr won possession and delivered a perfectly timed pass for Mateta, whose diagonal run outpaced the Leicester defense. Mateta calmly rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the net for his ninth goal of the season. Moments later, Palace nearly doubled their lead when Mitchell found himself in a promising position, but his attempt was thwarted by Leicester’s goalkeeper.
Leicester’s manager responded by introducing three substitutes, injecting fresh energy into the side. Kasey McAteer, one of the substitutes, was involved in a slick passing move that ended with Bouba Soumaré striking the crossbar. The near-miss briefly reignited hope among the home supporters, but frustration soon boiled over as chants criticizing the club’s director of football grew louder.
Palace sealed the victory when Marc Guéhi capitalized on a well-delivered free kick from Eze. The defender ghosted past Leicester’s static defense and volleyed the ball home, securing all three points for the visitors. The result highlighted Leicester’s defensive frailties, as they have now conceded 25 goals in the 10 games since their managerial change.
Leicester’s form has been a cause for concern, with their only respite coming in the FA Cup, where they recently defeated QPR. However, their defensive issues remain a significant challenge as they prepare for tougher fixtures. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s disciplined performance on the road underscores their improvement, as they continue to climb away from the relegation battle.
