Leicester 3-0 Brighton: Player Ratings as Maddison Brace Helps Foxes Secure Easy Win

14 December 2020 12:14

A brace from James Maddison helped Leicester secure a comprehensive 3-0 win against Brighton on Sunday night, a result that leaves the Foxes just one point off Premier League leaders Tottenham.

The game was open from the start with both sides going close inside 10 minutes. The hosts opened the scoring on the half hour mark with Maddison placing the ball beyond the reach of Mat Ryan from just outside the box.

The Foxes then doubled their lead when James Justin's cross was finished cutely by Jamie Vardy for his 10th Premier League goal of the season. Maddison then produced a special strike to make it 3-0 just before the break. Twisting and turning on the edge of the box, he produced a sumptuous, left-footed shot which curled into the top corner.

After the break, Leicester sat back and had very little trouble soaking up Brighton's meagre pressure - with the visitors firing away just four shots.

Here are your Foxes and Seagulls player ratings from the King Power Stadium.


1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Schmeichel made a big save with the scores level | Michael Regan/Getty Images

Kasper Schmeichel (GK) - 8/10 - Made an important save from Danny Welbeck with the game goalless. Without it, the game could have gone very differently.

Wesley Fofana (CB) - 8/10 -
The Foxes' best defender. Registered three interceptions and was typically calm in possession.

Jonny Evans (CB) - 6/10 -
Looked off the pace again early on. Improved considerable after the break, rarely being threatened.

Christian Fuchs (CB) - 6/10 -
Caught out a few times but nothing too disastrous. He's played too many games now. The sooner Caglar Soyuncu returns the better.


2. Wing Backs & Midfielders

Justin was one of the Foxes' best performers | Michael Regan/Getty Images

Marc Albrighton (RWB) - 7/10 - Great industry. His switches of play helped the Foxes counter.

Youri Tielemans (CM) - 7/10 -
The man who never seems to tire. He sat slightly deeper than he has in previous weeks but was not less effective.

Wilfred Ndidi (CM) - 7/10 -
After a few understated performances since his return from injury, the Nigerian was nearly back to his imperious best, sweeping up in front of the Foxes backline well.

James Justin (LWB) - 9/10 -
Sensational. Switching to the right hand side changed the game, with his fine assist to Vardy one of many dangerous ventures forward.


3. Forwards

Maddison put in one of his all-time best career performances | Michael Regan/Getty Images

Ayoze Perez (RF) - 7/10 - Found space between the lines and passed the ball well. Definitely strengthened his chances of starting every week for the rest of the season.

Jamie Vardy (ST) - 8/10 - Do not underestimated how good his finish was for Leicester's second.

James Maddison (LF) - 9/10 - His best display in some time. Two goals, the second of which was unstoppable. Also created a few good chances for his teammates.


4. Substitutes

Barnes got to stretch his legs in the second half | Pool/Getty Images

Harvey Barnes - 6/10 - Game had all the sting taken out of it by the time he came on, so he was pretty quiet.

Dennis Praet - N/A

Nampalys Mendy - N/A


5. Goalkeepers & Defenders

Ryan had a long evening in the Brighton goal | MICHAEL REGAN/Getty Images

Mathew Ryan (GK) - 6/10 - Made a few very good saves but still conceded three. Life isn't fair sometimes.

Joel Veltman (RB) - 7/10 - Defended pretty well throughout, not affording Justin much space to work before he switched sides.

Ben White (CB) - 5/10 - Not great. Maddison and Perez's movement caused him all sorts of problems.

Lewis Dunk (CB) - 5/10 - Similarly troubled by the Foxes movement in central areas early on.

Dan Burn (LB) - 5/10 - Made to look a fool by Maddison for his second goal. Justin also had the beating of him throughout.


6. Midfielders

Bissouma did not have his best game | Pool/Getty Images

Pascal Gross (CM) - 4/10 - Let Madison and Perez have free reign between the lines. Also struggled to create for his team.

Yves Bissouma (CM) - 5/10 - Like his counterpart, needed to get closer to Leicester's attacking midfielders.

Neal Maupay (AM) - 5/10 - Was anonymous in an attacking midfield role. Improved slightly after going up front.


7. Forwards

Welbeck let a big chance go begging early on | Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images

Alireza Jahanbakhsh (RW) - 6/10 - Brighton's most dangerous player in the first half, firing away two shots. One of them forced a good save out of Schmeichel.

Danny Welbeck (ST) - 5/10 - Missed a big chance early on with the scores level. Needs to start being more clinical.

Solly March (LW) - 5/10 - Lots of industry but naff all quality to be honest.


8. Substitutes

Steven Alzate - 5/10 - Added very little after coming on.

Aaron Connolly - 6/10 - Great energy but nothing broke to him.

Alexis Mac Allister - N/A


Source: 90min