In a gripping Premier League encounter, Crystal Palace continued their impressive form by defeating Leicester City, inflicting a sixth consecutive league defeat on the Foxes. The match took place at the King Power Stadium, where Leicester struggled to find their rhythm against a resilient Crystal Palace side. Despite a promising start to the season, Leicester City now finds themselves in a precarious position after this latest setback. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, has climbed to 14th in the league table, eight points clear of the relegation zone, further cementing their reputation as a formidable opponent on the road.
Crystal Palace and Leicester City have been recognized as the top two sides in the Premier League this season when it comes to total pressures applied. However, Leicester's recent performances have not mirrored this statistic, as they have failed to score in four of their last six games. In contrast, Crystal Palace has remained unbeaten in their last six away matches, marking their longest streak in top-flight history.
Leicester City's struggles are compounded by their inability to keep clean sheets, having recorded just two shutouts in their last 43 Premier League outings. This defensive frailty was evident once again as they conceded multiple goals in each of their last seven league matches. Crystal Palace capitalized on set plays, scoring a higher percentage of their goals from such situations compared to Leicester. Remarkably, four out of their last eight league goals have come from corners.
Despite Leicester's strong home record against Crystal Palace, where they remained unbeaten in the last four encounters (winning three and drawing one), they could not extend this streak. Their defeat marked Crystal Palace's first victory over Leicester City in nine league meetings, a significant achievement considering their past struggles.
Leicester's manager, Van Nistelrooy, expressed his disappointment following the match.
"It's hard. We kept spirits up after five losses and we will also do it after today's loss," said Van Nistelrooy.
His words reflect the team's determination to rebound from this challenging phase. However, he acknowledged the impact of this latest defeat, stating:
"There's hope there, there's spirit there in the team. But today is a big blow. I think it's the lowest we've felt so far in my spell."
The match showcased Crystal Palace's tactical prowess and resilience. They effectively utilized their strength in set plays to dismantle Leicester's defense. With 38% of their goals this season coming from set pieces, Crystal Palace has demonstrated their ability to capitalize on such opportunities.
Leicester City's defensive woes have seen them concede at least two goals in all six games this season. This pattern of conceding has become a significant concern for the team, as they attempt to rectify their defensive issues and regain their form.
Crystal Palace's victory extends their unbeaten run away from home to six matches, a historic feat for the club. Their ability to perform consistently on the road has been pivotal in their climb up the Premier League table. This resilience is a testament to their tactical discipline and determination.
The defeat leaves Leicester City with much to ponder as they aim to bounce back from this challenging period. Despite losing just one of their past 10 Premier League games before this streak of defeats, the team must address their defensive vulnerabilities and rediscover their attacking prowess.
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