Leicester City ratings vs. Stoke: are accurate, with Vestergaard commanding.

City sped up their play as they knocked it left and then back inside, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall finding Ricardo Pereira, who attracted defenders to create space for Iheanacho. The ball was prodded through to the striker, and while his first touch was poor, taking him wide, he hooked a shot back across goal and into the far corner.

City had created very little beyond that, despite being stationed higher up the pitch than they have been all season, and that was partly because their touch was a little sloppier and their passing not quite as flowing as usual. However, with Stoke poor, it didn’t matter that City didn’t get out of first gear.

However, 1-0 is not a comfortable margin, as City came close to equalising 25 seconds after the break. Choudhury missed an interception, and Mehdi Laris passed between Mads Hermansen and Jannik Vestergaard, but Nathan Lowe’s header was blocked.

City continued to give Stoke a footing in the game, and Lowe had another chance after spinning Vestergaard and firing in a shot that Hermansen had to push wide. But it energised City.

They immediately pushed for a second goal, and after Abdul Fatawu shot wide and Kieran Dewsbury-Hall had a one-on-one dink saved by Mark Travers, Vardy secured the victory. Vardy scored with nearly his first touch after coming on after fellow replacement Wilfred Ndidi scuffed an attempt that fooled the Stoke defence. This is how we rated the players.

Harry Souttar: There were a couple of long balls that didn’t work out in the first half, even if the idea was right, but he improved at those. Defensively, he was strong. There were no iffy moments there. He does generally look a little short of confidence though. 6

Jannik Vestergaard: He completely commanded the game in the first half, telling team-mates where to run and spreading play with some excellent crossfield passes. Defensively, he brought down Lowe to pick up a booking rather than chase him back, but was otherwise untroubled. 8

Hamza Choudhury: Not being left-footed makes such a difference in that position, and it meant a lot of Choudhury’s play went backwards rather than forwards, even when there were men in space ahead of him. Defensively, he was very good though, and won nearly all of his individual battles. 6

Harry Winks: Another one of those games where he looked far too good for the Championship. He barely misplaced a pass, playing it more quickly than everybody else too, and when the game opened up second half, he carried it forward well. 8

Cesare Casadei: His best game in a while. The Italian was far from sluggish, as he has been since the September international break, working really hard and showing a combative side to win the ball back in the midfield. On the ball he was a little better too. 6

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: It was too congested for him in the first half and he struggled to get involved. But in the second, he came into his own, and was at the heart of nearly all of City’s promising attacks. His energy nearly got him another goal too. 7

Yunus Akgun: He took up good positions to receive the ball to feet out wide and then get himself into the box, but despite his enthusiasm, there wasn’t much in the way of end product. He went close with a shot to the bottom corner just before he was subbed, but that was it. 6

Kelechi Iheanacho: He got his goal thanks to a combination of good movement, a poor touch, and a great finish. His touch continued to desert him at times, but he improved just before he came off, setting up big chances for Fatawu and Dewsbury-Hall. 7

Abdul Fatawu: He was lively, but over-hit passes, made dodgy decisions, and occasionally found it difficult to bring the ball under control, as if he was thinking about his next move before his first touch was secure. Played a big part in Vardy’s goal though with a nice pass to Ndidi. 6

Stephy Mavididi: Ill-advisedly tried to dribble out of his own box with his first involvement, but he was good thereafter, and was involved in many of City’s attacks as space opened up. 6

Wilfred Ndidi: One of the most effective substitutions for a while. He looks so confident. He set up Vardy’s goal and could have had a hat-trick himself thanks to his persistent runs beyond the last man. 8