Leicester City and Brentford went head-to-head in a Premier League meeting on Saturday, November 30th.
The Foxes made the long trip down south for a meeting with Thomas Frank’s Brentford.
The Bees have not been at their best this season but still began the day five points above Leicester City in the Premier League table.
Ahead of kick-off, Paul Merson predicted a Leicester hammering vs Brentford, which could have seen them end the day in the relegation zone.
The Foxes kicked off sat 16th in the table but no doubt aiming to impress new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was confirmed as Steve Cooper’s replacement on Friday.
Things got off to a perfect start for the away side with Facundo Buonanotte opening the scoring after 21 minutes.
That joy was short-lived, however, with Brentford going on the score three goals in the remainder of the first half.
Frank’s men added a fourth in the 59th minute to kill the game off and secure the three points.
Leicester City player ratings vs Brentford
Here’s how the players rated –
Mads Hermansen – 5
Made some huge saves early in the clash but was really not helped out by his backline on the day.
James Justin – 2
Terrible yet again with both of Brentford’s goals in the first half coming down Leicester’s right. Van Nistelrooy will not have been impressed with him.
Wout Faes – 2
Caught out of position on several occasions and miss-placed a few passes that played his side into trouble.
Conor Coady – 4
Like his centre-back partners, he was weak in the air against Brentford and struggled to keep the home side’s forwards at bay.
Caleb Okoli – 4
Taken off after 35 minutes due to injury. Gave the ball away four times when on the pitch and didn’t win any of his duels.
Luke Thomas – 4
It was his first start for Leicester in nearly 18 months and that was clear in his display. Thomas wasn’t terrible but you could tell he was not fully match fit.
Boubakary Soumare – 5
Passing was decent but his closing down was poor, making it easy for the Bees to play through the middle, especially for their third goal.
Wilfred Ndidi – 5
Really failed to get a grip of the game, especially in the first half. Should have done a lot more defensively to stop Leicester’s backline being exposed.
Facundo Buonanotte – 6
Argubally Leicester’s player on the day, causing Brentford’s backline problems and scoring the opener on Saturday.
Jordan Ayew – 5
Passing was good but he didn’t have much impact offensively, failing to have a single shot in the first 45.
Jamie Vardy – 6
Battled hard throughout his time time on the pitch. Did well to set up Buonanotte for the first goal and was unlucky not to get one of his own.
Substitutes
Jannik Vestergaard – 4
Brought on late in the first half due to injury. Came on with a point to prove after being axed by Cooper but really didn’t deliver, being caight out of position for the third goal.
Oliver Skipp – 3
Did little to help Leicester constantly getting cut open with some smart Brentford passing.
Patson Daka – 3
Offered little attacking threat when brought on but was largely starved of service.
Stephy Mavididi – 3
Failed to replicate the excellent display he managed off the bench against Chelsea last weekend.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid – N/A
Only on for a few minutes and hardly touched the ball.