Leicester City 0-2 Crystal Palace: Mateta and Guehi condemn hosts to sixth straight loss

Leicester City lost their sixth straight Premier League match by losing 2-0 to Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium.

Two second-half goals did the damage for Palace, who rode some early pressure before pulling clear, with Jamie Vardy going close twice in the first few minutes.

Jean-Philippe Mateta was the more clinical of the two strikers, however, neatly rounding Jakub Stolarczyk and slotting Palace into the lead seven minutes after half-time.

Marc Guehi ensured the Eagles’ Premier League unbeaten streak was extended to four games with 12 minutes to play, volleying in after Boubakary Soumare had struck the bar at the other end.

The defeat leaves Leicester in 19th, two points from safety, while Palace leapfrog Manchester United into 14th.

𝐅𝐓: 𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝟎-𝟐 𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 pic.twitter.com/XzkM6pEduy

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) January 15, 2025

Data Debrief: Vardy misfires

On an evening where Leicester had their chances to force a result, it was the difference in finishing between the two teams’ strikers that made the difference.

Vardy took six shots on goal, the most of any Leicester player in a league game this season, but did not take any of them, including when he raced clear on goal inside the first 20 minutes.

By contrast, Mateta needed just two efforts to score one decisive goal.

The Frenchman had only 20 touches and played 10 passes, but was clinical when it mattered with his nicely-taken second-half effort.