Leicester City 2-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Sunday, 18th May 2025 17:01

Town dropped to 19th in the Premier League table after a 2-0 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium with Jamie Vardy scoring his 200th goal on his 500th and final appearance for the Foxes, who move above the Blues. Vardy saw the home side into the lead in the 28th minute, then Kasey McAteer adding a second on 69 with Town creating plenty of chances throughout but unable to take any of them with Leif Davis going closest when he struck the post in the first half and had an effort ruled out for offside late on.

Town boss Kieran McKenna made four changes from the team which lost 1-0 at home to Brentford last week with George Hirst, Leif Davis, Jens Cajuste and Jack Clarke returning to the XI.

Hirst came in as the number nine with Liam Delap dropping to the bench, while Davis was back after his three-match ban at left-back with Jacob Greaves moving into the centre and Cameron Burgess out of the squad.

Jens Cajuste returned to the midfield having been managing his ongoing knee injury in recent weeks with Jack Taylor among the subs.

Clarke was on the left of the trio behind Hirst with Conor Chaplin dropping to the bench and Julio Enciso switching to the middle. Nathan Broadhead was among the subs following his spell out with a thigh injury.

Leicester made one change with Boubakary Soumare replacing Oliver Skipp in their midfield.

Vardy started his 500th and final game for the club looking for his 200th goal and fans all round the ground waved flags bearing the legend ‘Thank you Vards’ for some minutes prior to the teams coming out, the 38-year-old former striker leading out the Foxes.

The Blues, in their pink third kit, were the first to threaten in the third minute, Dara O’Shea dinking a ball over the top from deep for Hirst to chase and the Scotland international only just failed to get his toe to it before it ran through to Jakub Stolarczyk in the home goal.

Four minutes later, skipper Sam Morsy fed Enciso, who moved it on to Davis in space on the left. The full-back, whose only Premier League goal came against Leicester at Portman Road, saw his first shot blocked, then, after the ball returned to him, struck an even better effort which cannoned off the inside of the near post and ricocheted across goal and out for a throw on the far side.

Town continued to take the game to the Foxes and in the ninth minute Morsy unleashed a 30-yard strike which flew not too far over Stolarczyk’s bar.

On 17, Enciso worked an opening a few yards outside the box but scraped his shot wide of Stolarczyk’s left post.

After Omari Hutchinson had had his ankle inadvertently and painfully trodden on by Luke Thomas after being brought down by the Leicester wideman, Hirst flicked a header from Morsy’s free-kick beyond the far post.

Vardy had been a largely peripheral figure, Leicester having failed to mount a serious attack, but in the 20th minute Jordan Ayew threaded a pass for him to chase. O’Shea dived in but made no contact with either ball or player, but, with Vardy through on goal, Davis did exceptionally well to get back and drive him wide and his shot hit the side-netting.

Two minutes later, a Bilal El Khannouss free-kick from the right was played into Vardy’s feet in the box with his back to goal but the Foxes’ skipper’s shot was into the netting on the other side of the goal.

Town had been the more threatening side, however, and in the 26th minute they went close again. Davis curled over a deep cross from the left beyond Hirst but found Hutchinson behind him, the former Chelsea man volleying over.

The Blues were made to rue their misses two minutes later when Vardy bagged his perhaps inevitable 200th goal for the Foxes.

After Clarke had slipped when in possession midway inside the Leicester half, the home side broke and James Justin played in the day’s main man, who wrong-footed Alex Palmer with his deft first-time finish across the keeper and into the net.

Vardy celebrated by waving a corner flag at the delighted home supporters before being joined by all his teammates right in front of the Town supporters.

The goal seemed to rock the Blues, who until then had been on top for the most part, and within a minute Ayew waltzed into the area unchallenged, his shot scuffing off O’Shea and going wide, a fortunate escape for Town.

As the half approached the 40-minute mark, Hutchinson crossed from the right and O’Shea’s header caught a defender and looped wide.

The corner came to nothing but two minutes later, Davis, far more involved in attack than almost any game this season, got to the byline and chipped over a cross which reached Hutchinson 10 yards out. The England U21 international chested it down, then volleyed over the bar when he should have been celebrating his fourth goal of the season.

That was the last serious action of a half in which the Blues had been the better side and had had enough chances to put themselves in front prior to Vardy’s goal, Davis having been unlucky to hit the post, while Hutchinson’s late opportunity really should have got them back on terms. As so often this season the Blues had been unable to make the most of their opportunities with Stolarczyk not forced into a serious save.

At the other end, Vardy had had one chance before his goal but other than that and Ayew’s effort immediately after the Foxes had taken the lead, the Blues had limited the home side.

Town began the second half positively, Clarke winning a free-kick on the left after being brought down by McAteer, who was shown the game’s first yellow card. Davis whipped the ball over only just too far in front of Hirst.

Five minutes after the restart, Enciso beat Thomas, then cut in and shot low from the right into Stolarczyk’s hands.

Soon after, Hutchinson brought the ball across the edge of the area from the right before hitting a shot which was blocked. Town kept hold of the ball and Enciso stabbed it back towards the middle of the area from the left but found a Leicester defender.

On 55, the Paraguayan shot low but wide of Stolarczyk’s right post after the ball had fallen to him 25 yards out after Clarke had brought it in from the left and had been challenged.

Two minutes later, with Town having dominated the half up to that point, Hutchinson crossed from the right and Cajuste headed over when stretching for the ball.

Town threatened again just before the hour, Clarke breaking into the box, then feeding Cajuste on the left, who crossed low for Enciso, whose shot on the turn from eight yards was blocked.

The on-loan Brighton man had an even better chance having blocked Stolarczyk’s clearance. The ball looped away just beyond the keeper’s right post but the Paraguayan reached it but it spun off his foot into the grateful Stolarczyk’s arms with Hirst frustrated that it hadn’t been laid back to him.

On 62, McAteer hit a low shot which was no trouble for Palmer as Leicester broke with the game becoming more open, before the Blues had another chance, Hutchinson cutting into the box on the right but again his strike hit a defender.

McAteer went close to making it 2-0 in the 64th minute, again breaking forward on the right before hitting a shot across Palmer and off the far post.

Leicester subsequently made a double change, 15-year-old Jeremy Monga and Ricardo Pereira replacing Ayew and Justin.

The Blues had another chance in the 67th minute, Hirst getting behind the defence on the right of the box and, with no option in the middle, shooting from a tight angle but finding Stolarczyk in his way.

Two minutes later, the Foxes doubled their lead. El Khannous brought the ball forward towards the left, then played inside to Wilfried Ndidi, who diverted it first time to McAteer, who smashed a low effort past Palmer at his near post.

Town immediately made quadruple change, Delap, Taylor, Chaplin and Broadhead replacing Hirst, Cajuste, Enciso and Clarke.

The Blues continued to create chances and continued to waste them. In the 77th minute, Hutchinson crossed from the right and Broadhead swept the ball wide from just outside the six-yard box.

Two minutes later, the Foxes replaced Vardy, the 500-appearance, 200-goal man given a standing ovation from fans and a guard of honour by his teammates as he left the field, the PA haling him the club’s greatest ever player. Patson Daka took over, while McAteer was replaced by Jake Evans.

With two minutes of scheduled time remaining, Town switched Morsy for Massimo Luongo and Leicester swapped Ndidi for Skipp.

Town finally found the Foxes net in the final minute, Davis slamming home a volley at the far post, only to be flagged offside. VAR correctly upheld referee Andrew Kitchen’s decision.

The incident summed up the Blues’ afternoon which was brought to an end soon afterwards by referee Kitchen.

Frustrating afternoons have been two-a-penny for Town fans this season as the Blues have struggled to cope with established Premier League sides, often hanging on by their fingernails for long periods before falling to defeat.

This was a frustration of a different kind with the Blues in control of the game for long spells and having more than enough chances to have won the match. Their 20 shots and 31 touches in the opposition penalty area - to the Foxes’ 12 - were both the highest of the season but they were unable to take any of their opportunities.

And it wasn’t as if the shots were speculative efforts, Davis may have been unlucky with his strike off the post but Hutchinson will feel he should have done better with his two volleys and Hirst, Enciso and Broadhead also had chances.

At the other end, it was inevitable Vardy would get one or two chances, Davis defending the first well before the England international sent the majority of the fans in the ground home happy from the second.

McAteer’s second on the break as Town started to commit more men forward in the second half all but sealed the three points and only Leicester’s fourth Premier League home win this season and their second in a row.

The Blues have now gone 11 games without a win at the King Power Stadium since a 2-1 victory under Joe Royle on their first visit on Boxing Day 2002.

The result moves the Foxes three points ahead of Town into 18th - the first time the Blues have been 19th since February 15th - with each position in the division worth around an additional £3 million from the Premier League’s prize pot.

Town, who have a superior goal difference, will hope to move back ahead of them when they host West Ham United in their final Premier League game next Sunday with Leicester at AFC Bournemouth.

Leicester: Stolarczyk, Justin (Ricardo 64), Faes, Coady, Thomas, Ndidi (Skipp 88), Soumare, El Khannouss, McAteer (Evans 80), Ayew (Monga 64), Vardy (c) (Evans 80). Unused: Iversen, Okoli, Kristianesen, Buonanotte.

Town: Palmer, Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis, Morsy (c) (Luongo 88), Cajuste (Taylor 72), Hutchinson, Enciso (Chaplin 72), Clarke (Broadhead 72), Hirst (Delap 72). Unused: Walton, Woolfenden, Godfrey, Johnson, Luongo. Referee: Andrew Kitchen (Durham). VAR: Neil Davies.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters

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londontractorboy57 added 21:19 - May 18 Two tips for next season the glory hunters will desert and bluebore will talk the same.boring bollox
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Kickingblock added 21:37 - May 18 Where's LeeJames?
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blueboy1981 added 21:43 - May 18 …. londontractorboy57 …….. and more of your deluded Rollocks, continually condoning failure and making excuses ? Have you ever heard of Luton Town - BEWARE !! - of what has catastrophically happened to them !!
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gkroon89 added 21:46 - May 18

We knew it would be a tough season, BUT the same tactics week after week and the stubbornness with the substitutions.

I just don’t understand it. Good managers know how to change a game - McKenna got away with it in the Championship as we got off to a good start and let’s be honest - it was a little touch and go towards the end of the season.

Relegation is what I thought would probably happen, but the manner of it is what disturbs me most.

Questioning McKenna seems wrong after the 2 prior seasons, but his management (on a massive contract apparently) has left a bit to be desired.

algarvefan added 23:06 - May 18

Well I have to agree with most on here,that was a very poor show today with some players dreaming of other clubs and some already on holiday!! The past few weeks has also seen players arguing and blaming each other, the attitude that was so good in the previous 2 seasons has disappeared all together.

I didn't expect us to realistically stay up, it was a big ask, but God we bought some questionable players, should have given the promotion team a run, in my opinion they couldn't have done worse than the players we brought in and they knew each other well.

Let's just hope that the management can have a good summer and lets get rid of some of the deadwood, a good start to the season is vital, but sadly I can see us struggling next season we need a re-boot!!

Town1Inter0 added 23:06 - May 18

Davis AWOL for BOTH goals. He's not a conventional LB for the Premier League. He might work of us as a wingback if we played a similar system to Palace, but we have suffered so many times with him being absent at LB or failing to do basic defensive duties there.
I assume that KMcK will keep him for next season, but we need to consider whether he's the right option for us if we then go back up to the PL.

Lightningboy added 23:53 - May 18 McKenna looking well out of his depth at the moment...tactically he's been found out this season. How's he going to turn things around with most of this lot? - the team spirit got us into the top flight - that seems to have long flown the nest. Time to start upping your game Kieran...it's actually got to a point now where it won't bother me if he goes.
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Minneapolis_ITFC added 01:58 - May 19

Couldn't give really a rat's ass for Vardy or his final celebration appearance, it's little use to me or anyone at Portman Road, however Leicester used the hype of the occasion to raise their game today and beat what was effectively a poor display from us and chasing the game. If it had been a standard game with just relegated teams and no one-player picked out for hero status we maybe would have won / used it to our advantage.

Both teams are down and out, you take the Vardy hype nonsense out from it, it's essentially a bitch fight over 18th position and two club names that have endured a disastrous season. There's really little to no honor for either.

I won't lie in being irritated by McKenna once again. Same formation, same poker face interview, devoid of emotion almost, it never seems to change. Yeah he's done great for us but another whole season ahead of the same system and beliefs ? I don't know, just not entirely pleased with it.

dirtydingusmagee added 07:31 - May 19 In a word , crap. can't beat the club's relegated with us, Anyone thinking bouncing back will be nailed on are in for a shock I fear. We have not improved all season and there is nothing to indicate we will be a force to be reckoned with next season.Ill be glad when this awful season is over.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:57 - May 19

Well, I don't think there is a single positive post after this match, and perhaps that's understandable after a disappointing performance, even though we were the best team and played some quite nice football up to Vardy's inevitable goal. After that things went downhill and we didn't seem to have the quality to change that. I won't go into what or who is to blame. The important thing now is to get a SETTLED squad together for next season as soon as possible, 'cos there are going to be a lot of changes. Several are certain to depart and several more might be tempted by the newly promoted teams to continue their careers in the PL. We will need a significant re-build and hopefully a strong start. But we are Ipswich and we will rise again. COYB!

BlueSkies added 10:36 - May 19

Frankly I can't see many PL clubs wanting any of our players. I think Delap will struggle because he's nowhere near the finished article. That said, the service to him has been appalling all season and the reason, I believe, why he feels he has to go it alone so often.

Which brings me onto our formation as a whole - I don't like, nor will I ever like, playing a lone striker up front. And don't give me that bo11ocks about 'football moving on' etc etc. Play two up front ffs. At least give it a go when all else has failed. That said, you still need a decent midfield and a solid defence: we've had neither all season. As someone said, relegation was probably expected, but the manner in which it is happened is beyond disappointing.

Can't see us finishing any better than mid to upper-mid table next season - might scrape into the play-offs if we're lucky but then what? Another season like this in the PL? No thanks.

dirtydingusmagee added 10:53 - May 19

I agree Carberry ,All the fine margins crap don't wash how is it we are always on the wrong side of the margin.We have shown no improvement ,and without major changes we will will be mid table next season at best.Didnt think I would be saying it but I wouldn't lose any sleep if McKenna did move on now. He talks well but it is just that ,words . This season has been awful and he has done nothing to rectify it.

blueboy1981 added 10:54 - May 19 BlueSkies ….. Beware of doing a Luton - we’ve only gone in one direction since September - and improved nothing but ‘so called’ positives from each game ? What ?? - where has there been any evidence of that ?
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blueboy1981 added 10:59 - May 19 Dirtydingus …. you are 100% correct - totally agree with you ! All talk - no Do’ - describes a certain person this season.
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Razor added 12:05 - May 19 serious changes needed in the summer all the way up----do we have a scouting network anymore and the Americans do not like failure.Some of the pretty boys will just not cut in the championship and we virtually need a new team new tactics (2 up front anybody) new work ethic and a bit of backbone----for starters.
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budgieplucker added 14:48 - May 19

To sum up lack of clinical ability and poor defending.

It could be argued that we saw some of this last year in the Championship, yes we were scoring many goals and more than we were conceding but we were missing a lot of chances too. In a tougher league this has become far more noticeable. Week in, week out, this season we see the same, we haven’t really learned from our errors, always on the wrong side of fine margins, we can’t blame VAR and refs all of the time.

The fans have been outstanding a real credit to the Football Club, English Football and the Town itself. They have turned up and performed time and again.

Unfortunately, the players and management team have failed the fans. That doesn’t mean to say that any individual didn’t try their best, the fans have every right to feel deflated without ignoring the previous two seasons, however, we can cope with not being quite good enough, but pessimistic comments should be excused, the frustration has been exacerbated by getting poor results from Leicester and Southampton who will be competing with us next season. The fans have earned the right to ask questions.

Can we trust the process?

Mark Ashton was selling us as the best fairy tale in football at the beginning of the season.

We get the limitations and the budgets available.

Of course hindsight is a wonderful thing.

We had faith.

It was not all about premiership experience, but recruitment has to be clearly reviewed. Of course not all acquisitions are going to be successful.

Woolfenden, Burgess and Tuanzebe looked comfortable at this level as did Palmer (incidentally he has proven to be a real bargain buy). Add Townsend to that list albeit he was only needed for a few games, but he did play with WBA for a spell n the top flight.

O’Shea also showed adequacy.

Muric, Phillips, Godfrey, Johnson, those with premiership experience all sadly failed to deliver any consistency and value for the cost to the club.

The up and comings, Hutchison, Broadhead and Clarke all show glimpses of great potential at this level but combined provided a far too lightweight attacking support unit. Philogene probably in this category as well.

Szmodics and Hirst, again show real promise to step up but also show fragility.

Greaves and Davis had disappointing seasons but will come again.

Cajuste and Enciso added some quality but fitness and injury issues were also limiting.

Taylor, Chaplin and Burns clearly unlikely to ever be at a level to be a serious talent at Premiership level, these are the folks especially the later two that we like and feel loyalty towards, however, arguably they are no more than average Championship level players if that. For me they deserve regular football but at another club even if we only obtain modest Championship level fees.

Given we may be able to raise north of £50 million net to the club if we sell Delap, Hutchison, Johnson (Fulham interested) and perhaps more if there is any interest for Leif, then we need to invest more wisely. Perhaps 4 experienced players from overseas, a striker, a holding midfielder, a playmaker and a box to box player.

If we loose Axel and Cameron then we will be looking for two more, outside of some foreign imports, on my watchlist would be:

Mark McGuiness (Luton), who was a standout player in a team that got relegated from the championship, with the big drop in income he should be available at a knock down price.

Perry Ng, a full back at Cardiff is in the same category, consistently week in week out, he was a high and often top scorer for a struggling team.

Carlton Morris - backup to Hirst, a player in the target man role, not a big goal scorer but again in Luton’s premiership campaign he was stand-out for them, not quite Liam Delap but if we can ignore his ex Norwich connection then he could be a very valuable squad player.

Christian Erikson, out of contract at Man Utd at the end of the season. At 33 he may not have the legs for another regular premiership campaign but may be persuaded to step down for the right offer to become a very good Championship player maker on a shorter term contract.

I do sense the close season might be a bit more busier than we perhaps expected, if it’s not then maybe we fear Kieron and Mark Ashton have not learnt the real lessons.

Linkboy13 added 15:50 - May 19 Londontractorboy57 you dangled the bait and the glory hunters took it which i found very amusing. All those fickle fans on here knocking the club will be the complete opposite next season when we are at the top or perhaps they will be watching their Premier league heroes on Sky.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:47 - May 19

budgieplucker: You seem very genned up on possible new acquisitions for next season. Let's hope the club is too. Like you, I certainly wouldn't mind Christian Erikson on a short-term contract, and has anyone mentioned Cresswell, who is leaving Wet Spam after next weekend? I think we will need quite a few additions and it's going to be crucial how well this is managed.