Eagles star denies Ndidi as Leicester miss out on first league win

Ndidi set up two goals as Leicester City played a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace || Image: Leicester City/X

Eagles star denies Ndidi as Leicester miss out on first league win

Joba Ogunwale 17:18 - 14.09.2024

The Foxes were minutes away from a first league win this season after a brilliant display from their Nigerian in their clash against Crystal Palace. 

Nigeria’s midfielder Wilfred Ndidi ran the show but it was not enough to give Leicester City their first Premier League win since their return to the top flight. 

The Foxes were winless in their first three league games coming into the clash but they earned a well-deserved point at Selhurst Park, with their Nigerian star playing a vital role. 

Ndidi and Vardy combine to put Leicester ahead

Leicester came into the game on the back of a loss to Aston Villa, but Steve Cooper’s men were full of confidence against the Eagles. 

The Foxes started on the front foot as Oliver Glasner’s men struggled to keep up with the away side’s pace. 

Leicester showed their intentions right from the start as they almost took the lead after just five minute through Jordan Ayew. 

However, Ghanaian could not hit the target after he was brilliantly picked out by Ndidi. The Foxes continued to dominate with Ayew failing to convert again. 

These misses almost cost Leicester as Palace nearly took the lead against the run of play. But a brilliant intervention from Wout Faes kept the game goalless. 

Both sides continued to look for an opening as the game went on, but it was Steve Cooper’s men who took the lead through a their legendary striker Vardy. 

The former England international rounded up the goalkeeper to slot the ball into an empty net after he was brilliantly set up by Ndidi. Vardy’s goal ensured Leicester went into the break with a goal lead. 

Ndidi steps up again but Mateta denies Foxes 

The Foxes resumed the second half from where they stopped in the first half as they doubled their advantage immediately after the restart. 

Ndidi also played a vital role again, with the Nigerian doing brilliantly to set up Steph Mavididi in the 46th minute. 

However, just as it looked like Leicester were comfortable Jean Mateta pulled one back for Palace immediately. 

Mateta’s goal gave the Eagles life as they piled pressure on the Foxes. With the pressure piling on as the game continued, Leicester’s coach Steve Cooper turned to his bench, bringing on Hamza Choudhury for the brilliant Ndidi. 

The Super Eagles star had a game to remember, setting up two goals, making four key passes and creating three big chances. 

It appeared Ndidi’s change would help Leicester preserve their lead, but it was not to be so as Palace were awarded a penalty in the second minute of added time after Conor Coady committed a foul in the box. 

Mateta stepped up to convert the subsequent penalty, denying Leicester their first league win of the season. 

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