Crystal Palace equalled their club record as they extended their unbeaten away run in the Premier League to six consecutive matches, securing a 2-0 victory over a dominant Leicester City on Wednesday night.
The result means Leicester have now lost six consecutive Premier League outings, leaving them 19th in the table, while Palace's victory lifts them to 14th in the table with 24 points.
Although it was Leicester that dominated the opening 45 minutes, with 62% possession and 11 shots to Crystal Palace's four, it was the visitors who opened the scoring just six minutes after the restart when Jean-Philippe Mateta rounded the keeper and slotted into the empty net to hand the visitors the lead well against the run of play.
The goal appeared to give the Eagles an initial new lease of life, with Oliver Glasner's side taking complete control of the proceedings in the following minutes, but a series of changes from Ruud van Nistelrooy saw his side regain momentum, coming agonizingly close to equalising when Boubakary Soumare rattled the crossbar.
However, the Eagles were up to their same tricks from earlier in the match, once again sucker-punching Leicester just as the hosts were growing closer to a leveller, with Marc Guehi crashing the ball into the roof of the net, and the hosts were unable to reply as Crystal Palace went on to secure all three points.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Leicester City's performance was largely deserving of much more than a 2-0 defeat, especially after a highly dominant first 45 minutes that saw them hold 62% possession and take 11 shots, but a lack of clinical finishing in the final moment ultimately cost them.
Crystal Palace did take control for much of the second half, but Leicester still posed plenty of attacking threat, however, Van Nistelrooy will be highly concerned with his side's performance at the other end of the pitch, with the Foxes having now conceded two or more goals in eight of the nine matches since he took charge.
As for Palace, Glasner will be largely underwhelmed by their overall performance, with the Eagles having less possession and taking far fewer shots than their opponents, but the result will please the boss, especially as it sets a new club record.
Their defensive solidity is one aspect of the match that Glasner will be particularly happy with, as Guehi, Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards and Dean Henderson combined to keep their fifth clean sheet in the league.
LEICESTER VS. CRYSTAL PALACE HIGHLIGHTS
Jean-Philippe Mateta goal vs. Leicester (52nd min, Leicester 0-1 Crystal Palace)
Mateta breaks the deadlock at the King Power ⚽️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 15, 2025
His 2nd goal in 2 games gives @cpfc the lead 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/IqXgZxHMZF
Crystal Palace have taken the lead, Mateta with another goal for the Eagles!
Ismaila Sarr picks up the ball just inside the Leicester half and brilliantly charges through the middle of the pitch, past three players, and plays a perfectly-weighted pass in behind the defence for Mateta to chase.
The striker eases Jannik Vestergaard out of the way, goes round the outrushing keeper and slots the ball into the back of the net with his left foot to give Palace the lead.
Marc Guehi goal vs. Leicester (78th min, Leicester 0-2 Crystal Palace)
Marc Guehi doubles @CPFC's lead with a delightful finish from Eze's delivery 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 15, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/zkYZTbyU6R
Guehi has doubled Palace's lead, sensational set-piece from Eberechi Eze!
The Eagles have a free-kick from a considerable distance and an extremely straight angle, leaving Eze with very few options, but the midfielder superbly lifts a curled cross into the box and toward the back post.
Guehi is left unmarked at the back post, and the defender races onto the ball and fantastically side-foots his volley into the roof of the net to make it 2-0 to Palace.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MARC GUEHI
© Imago
Guehi may be the subject of transfer speculation, but the central defender certainly did not let it distract him, producing a wonderful display as Palace secured all three points.
Not only did Guehi put the game to bed with a crashing finish in the 78th-minute, but he was also a key factor in the Eagles keeping their fifth clean sheet of the season.
The defender made one tackle, blocked two shots, made five tackles and won four duels, while also helping on the ball with 53 successful passes, including three long balls.
LEICESTER VS. CRYSTAL PALACE MATCH STATS
Possession: Leicester 58%-42% Crystal Palace
Shots: Leicester 21-8 Crystal Palace
Shots on target: Leicester 4-3 Crystal Palace
Corners: Leicester 4-2 Crystal Palace
Fouls: Leicester 7-6 Crystal Palace
BEST STATS
Eberechi Eze has a G/A in each of his last 4 games for Crystal Palace.
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) January 15, 2025
2 goals, 2 assist. pic.twitter.com/vbmles8DDP
Eberechi Eze assists:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) January 15, 2025
7 — This season
6 — Last season pic.twitter.com/3zPou1Tq7u
WHAT NEXT?
Leicester City's run of fixtures at the King Power Stadium continues on Saturday as the Foxes are set to play host to Fulham for matchday 22 of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace will aim to maintain their current unbeaten streak as their travels continue on Saturday with a trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham United.
Ellis Stevens
