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Sep 13, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
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Ulloa (64')

Player Ratings: Stoke City 0-1 Leicester City

:Headline: Player Ratings: Stoke City 0-1 Leicester City: ID:176595: from db_amp
Sports Mole rates the individual performances from Leicester's 1-0 win over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium, which came courtesy of Leonardo Ulloa's second-half strike.

Leicester City snatched their first win since gaining promotion back to the Premier League as Leonardo Ulloa's strike downed Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.

The Potters had 13 shots in the opening 45 minutes and continued to press forward in the second half, but were dealt a suckerpunch by Ulloa's 67th-minute strike.

Debutant Foxes keeper Ben Hamer made several important saves late on as Mark Hughes and his men were condemned to a second home defeat of the season.

Below, Sports Mole takes a look at how the individual players fared in Staffordshire.



STOKE

Goal

Asmir Begovic: Had little to do other than pick the ball out of his net for an opening goal which he could do nothing about. He will have had much busier afternoons and emerged a victor. (6/10)

Defence

Phil Bardsley: Was never tested by the pace of Jeffrey Schlupp as Stoke's dominance of possession prevented Leicester from having many ventures forward. Could have got up in support of his winger more often. (6/10)

Ryan Shawcross: Shrugged off an early cut to his eye to put in another solid display in a start to the season that has seen his England credentials touted once again. Could have done better with a header from a corner. (7/10)

Marc Wilson: Neither he nor Shawcross had a great deal to do, but the Irishman did make one important last-ditch challenge on Ulloa. Is keeping fit-again Robert Huth out of the team. (6/10)

Erik Pieters: The left-back has developed into a consistent performer for the Potters since his arrival last summer, and so will be a concern to Mark Hughes after limping off late on. (6/10)

Midfield

Steven N'Zonzi: Played a key role in helping Stoke assert their early dominance with his physicality, and showed that he can contribute going forward with some strong forward runs. (7/10)

Glenn Whelan: Alongside N'Zonzi, Whelan was very good in the first half, testing Hamer with a couple of efforts and constantly winning the ball back for Stoke and recycling possession. Had less of an influence when Leicester changed their shape, but was arguably the best player in the opening 45. (8/10)

Jonathan Walters: Has worked his way back into the Stoke XI after starting the season out of the team. Is always willing to give Crouch support centrally, but sacrifices width which could have stretched Leicester. (6/10)

Victor Moses: A typical Moses display in the sense that his pace and trickery often led to nothing because he could not either identify or execute his final ball. Could not lift the ball over Hamer from close range. (6/10)

Attack

Bojan: Appeared to be full of confidence despite being in and out of the side. Created space for himself to unleash a couple of decent shots, but drifted in and out of the game. May be too keen to impress. (6/10)

Peter Crouch: Had the beating of Moore in the air all day and had chances with his head which he perhaps should have done better with. Was booked for a late lunge on Ulloa in the first half. (7/10)

Substitutes

Mame Biram Diouf: Was left on the bench after only arriving back from international duty with Senegal on Friday morning, and even looked leggy when he came on for 25 minutes. (5/10)

Oussama Assaidi: Was greeted very warmly on his return to the Britannia Stadium, but could not create a goal to level the scores. (6/10)

Marc Muniesa: Replaced Pieters for the final seven minutes and wasted one good chance to cross as the Potters pressed for an equaliser. (6/10)



LEICESTER

Goal

Ben Hamer: Making his debut in place of the injured Kasper Schmeichel, he overcame a nervous start to the game to have a crucial impact on it, denying both Moses and Diouf with late saves. (7/10)

Defence

Richie de Laet: Was restricted from making his usual forward runs by the sheer weight of the ball that Stoke had, but made a couple of important tackles on Moses and had the pace to keep up with the Potters winger. (6/10)

Liam Moore: Could not cope with Crouch in the air, but eventually allowed the towering Stoke striker free access to long balls and swept up what came his way on the ground instead. (7/10)

Wes Morgan: The Foxes captain made a couple of crucial blocks late on to help his side see the game out, and has just skippered his team to their first top-flight win in 10 years. (7/10)

Paul Konchesky: Was not really tested down the outside until Moses moved over to the right for a brief spell. His experience in the final few minutes showed as he slowed the tempo down to halt Stoke's momentum. (6/10)

Midfield

Riyad Mahrez: Has impressed many already this season with his pace and quality coming in off the Foxes right, but was not given a chance to influence the game before his half-time withdrawal. (5/10)

Andy King: Was given the nod ahead of several central midfield rivals today but may not keep his place after struggling to help Leicester keep hold of the ball in the first half. Was subbed at the break. (5/10)

Dean Hammond: Like King, found himself outplayed and outnumbered in the middle of the park but was much improved in the second period with the presence of Cambiasso alongside him. Came close to extending Leicester's lead with a powerful long-range effort. (6/10)

Jeffrey Schlupp: Suffered as Mahrez did with a lack of access to the ball going forward and was not able to use his pace as counter-attacks broke down. Offered Konchesky useful defensive support. (6/10)

Attack

Leonardo Ulloa: Held the ball up as best he could while spectating much of the first half, and then adjusted his body very well to take the decisive goal. Pearson may have identified a striker who will keep them in the top flight. (7/10)

David Nugent: Was switched from centre forward, to right wing, to left wing on an afternoon when the penalty box poacher did all of his good work tracking back and making a nuisance of himself. (6/10)

Substitutes

Esteban Cambiasso: Made a huge difference for Leicester by providing them with an extra body in midfield and one who was willing to put his foot on the ball and help them keep it. Kept things simple, but also had success with a string of long-range passes. The Argentine veteran still has it, that's for sure, and this debut will excite Foxes fans. (8/10)

Danny Drinkwater: Came on at the same time as Cambiasso and also had a role to play in Leicester establishing at least half a foothold in the game. Could have scored after Ulloa's opener. (7/10)

Jamie Vardy: Was brought on for Schlupp late on, but barely touched the ball as Stoke pressed for an equaliser. (6/10)


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