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Player Ratings: Leicester City 2-0 Swansea City

Sports Mole looks back at Leicester City's 2-0 victory over Swansea City to rate the performance of each player.

Leicester City produced a complete team performance to see off Swansea City 2-0 at the King Power Stadium and climb off the bottom of the Premier League table for the first time since November.

The Foxes got off to a flying start and were duly rewarded when Leonardo Ulloa - a late replacement in the starting lineup for the injured David Nugent - tucked home with 15 minutes on the clock.

Swansea created chances of their own, the best of which fell to Nelson Oliveira in the second half, but it was the home side who sealed all three points late on thanks to Andy King's close-range finish.

Here, Sports Mole rates the performances of both sets of players on show during the entertaining contest in the East Midlands.


LEICESTER CITY

Marc Albrighton of Leicester City tackles Jonjo Shelvey of Swansea during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Swansea City at The King Power Stadium on April 18, 2015© Getty Images

Goal

Kasper Schmeichel: By no means the busiest afternoon of the Danish stopper's top-flight career, but his one save in particular to deny Oliveira who was in on goal acted as a real warning sign for Leicester to push on and bag a second. (8/10)

Defence

Marcin Wasilewski: Was brought into the side as one of three changes made by manager Nigel Pearson, but he lasted just 45 minutes before being withdrawn due to a thigh injury. (6/10)

Robert Huth: A solid performance from the Stoke City loanee, who remained strong all afternoon to constantly thwart attacking moves from the visitors. (7/10)

Wes Morgan: Likewise, the centre back did well in defence, but he also played his part in attack. Constantly harried to win back possession, and held up the ball superbly for Ulloa to fire home the opening goal. (7/10)

Midfield

Marc Albrighton: A super showing from the makeshift wing-back, who was a constant threat in wide positions. His crossing was spot on, while he also cut inside to fire a shot narrowly over in the first half. (8/10)

Andy King: He scored a vital goal against West Ham United recently and, having been given the chance from the off today, he rounded off a fantastic team performance by gambling late on and tucking home a deserved second goal. (7/10)

Esteban Cambiasso: It is easy to see why he is so loved by Foxes supporters, with his tireless pressing certainly not going unnoticed in the stands. He was rewarded with an assist too, when his free kick proved too hot to handle for Fabianksi. (8/10)

Jeffrey Schlupp: Much like Albrighton down the opposite flank, Schlupp was a constant menace throughout the 90 minutes. Provided plenty of width and often helped pick out his teammates in better positions. (7/10)

Attack

Andrej Kramaric: He offered a solid option in support out wide, providing plenty of half-decent crosses which Fabianksi often struggled to deal with, although his finishing was note quite there when he was in possession close to goal. (7/10)

Leonardo Ulloa: Having been brought into the starting lineup shortly before kickoff, Ulloa grabbed his opportunity by both hands to bag his first goal since Boxing Day. He left Fabianski with little chance by lashing home from close range, ending a 647-minute wait for his 10th goal of the season. (7/10)

Jamie Vardy: Yet another standout showing from the forward, who drifted all over the attacking third to ask questions of the visiting defence. Should have won a penalty when he was sent tumbling late on, but his all-round work ethic was enough to earn him the plaudits of his manager anyway. (8/10)

Substitutes

Ritchie de Laet: Brought on at the break in place of the injured Wasilewski, which led to a shake-up in formation by Pearson. Leicester went towards more of a 4-2-3-1 setup for the second 45 minutes, in which time De Laet remained solid up against the fresh legs of Montero. (7/10)

Danny Drinkwater: Brought on for the final 15 minutes in order to help keep things ticking along, and he did exactly that in his central midfield position. (6/10)

Riyad Mahrez: Gave the home side a real boost when he came on thanks to his energy, earning the free kick which led to King's goal. (7/10)



SWANSEA CITY

Nelson Oliveria of Swansea City and Marcin Wasilewski of Leicester City tussle for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Swansea City at The King Power Stadium on April 18, 2015© Getty Images

Goal

Lukasz Fabianksi: Was certainly the busier of the two keepers and, while he did well to deny the hosts on countless occasions, he will be hugely disappointed to have spilled Cambiasso's free kick. (7/10)

Defence

Jordi Amat: Looked very shaky in the opening stages, earning himself a yellow card for bringing down King with just three minutes on the clock. That put him on the back foot from the off, and he never really recovered. (5/10)

Federico Fernandez: Not the greatest afternoon defensively for Swansea, although Fernandez did well enough to keep Leicester out for the most part, before King sealed things one minute from time. (7/10)

Ashley Williams: Only one other player in the division had made more clearances than the Wales skipper prior to this weekend's action, and he was at it again today. His performance was blighted by a poor challenge on Vardy which really should have seen a penalty awarded to Pearson's men. (6/10)

Angel Rangel: Out of his comfort zone, which largely told when he struggled to contain Albrighton and second-half substitute Mahrez. (5/10)

Midfield

Ki Sung-Yueng: He is vital to this Swans side, yet he simply did not turn up in the East Midlands today. Created next to nothing and was eventually hauled off in the second half. (5/10)

Jack Cork: His game is all about keeping things ticking over in midfield but, while that is all well and good, the Swans needed some added creativity in that zone this afternoon. (6/10)

Jojo Shelvey: The former Liverpool midfielder is a player who is always trying to make something happen, firing away a couple of shots from range which Schmeichel had to deal with. (7/10)

Gylfi Sigurdsson: Like Ki, Sigurdsson is a player who Swansea need fit and firing if they are to create chances. A through ball for Oliveira aside, he did not produce anything close to what he has at other stages of this season. (6/10)

Wayne Routledge: The visiting side's best player for large parts of the game, Routledge constantly tried to get in behind and succeeded on one occasion only to be flagged for offside. He was also denied superbly by Albrighton soon after when looking to burst through. (7/10)

Attack?

Nelson Oliveira: With this being just his second Premier League start since joining the club on loan in January, it was clear to see that the Portuguese was lacking any sort of playing time. Had one chance during his 75 minutes on the field, which he failed to take. (5/10)

Substitutes

Marvin Emnes: Was not given enough time at the end to make any sort of impact, although he may get his chance in Swansea's next outing should Oliveira be left out. (5/10)

Jefferson Montero: The Swans were crying out for some width, and they certainly got plenty of it in the second half thanks to the introduction of the Ecuadorian. Got chalk on his boots and made an instant impact, albeit without helping his side to get off the mark. (7/10)

Nathan Dyer: Another played called upon to add a further option in wide positions, Dyer certainly helped spark the visitors into life a little, but could not make the difference. (6/10)


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Marc Albrighton of Leicester City tackles Jonjo Shelvey of Swansea during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Swansea City at The King Power Stadium on April 18, 2015
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