Rodgers: The Players Gave Everything

- Leicester City found it difficult to break Newcastle United down, according to manager Brendan Rodgers
- The Magpies won 1-0 at King Power Stadium thanks to a header from Ayoze Pérez
- Rodgers praised Marc Albrighton for his impact after he made a return from injury

The Foxes suffered their first loss in five Premier League games after Ayoze Pérez’s solitary header sealed all three points for the Magpies.

While Rodgers highlighted areas for City to improve in following the defeat, he was pleased with his side’s determination.  

“We found it difficult to break them down,” Rodgers told LCFC TV. “I think it’s been a problem this season from what I’m led to believe. You can see why on evenings like that, whenever a team is camped in.

“We just didn’t quite move the ball quick enough through the thirds and like I say, the passing needs to be a bit cleaner to break through. The players gave everything.

“We had a couple of opportunities. Jamie [Vardy] had one where he makes a great run and just clips it over the bar. We got into some good areas at times, but I think tonight was just one of them ones where we just didn’t quite make the final pass.

“We’ll analyse the goal because I think we can do better with that. The players gave everything, and it was just one of those evenings for us.”

Discussing Newcastle’s winning goal, Rodgers continued: “It was from a goal-kick. We need to be better in terms of competing for the second and third ball in that moment.

“We won the first header and we won the second ball and like I say, they get onto the next ball, play it through and then they’re away.

“It was a good header by the player (Ayoze Pérez), who comes across Wes [Morgan] and gets the header. We can be better in that.”

The City manager was pleased to see Marc Albrighton return to action, as the winger played his first game under the Northern Irishman having missed nine fixtures due to a hamstring problem.

“I thought he was excellent,” added Rodgers. “I thought he came on and had no hesitation in getting his crosses in.

“When you play against that deep lying defence then you need players that can cross the ball and I thought when he came on, he was very good, so it was nice to get him back on the field again.”