First Loss In Six For Frustrated Foxes
Claude Puel made three changes to the side that beat Southampton so emphatically, but they couldn’t replicate Wednesday’s magnificent win.
From the off, Palace threatened on the counter attack. Kasper Schmeichel made his first save of the game on 11 minutes, denying Ruben Loftus-Cheek from range.
Vicente Iborra then lashed a half volley wide shortly after, but the Foxes fell behind on 19 minutes when Christian Benteke flicked Andros Townsend’s cross into the back of the net.
At the other end, City had a penalty appeal turned down as Danny Simpson’s through ball – aimed for Jamie Vardy – flicked up and hit the hand of Scott Dann, but there was nothing given.
Opportunities for Vardy and Harry Maguire followed, but Palace doubled their advantage with five minutes of the first half to play as Wilfred Zaha rounded off a lethal break.
Riyad Mahrez had a low effort saved by Julian Speroni early on in the second period and while Iborra headed home just moments later, his goal was disallowed.
Wilfred Ndidi, going close earlier on in the game following a powerful drive, was dismissed on 62 minutes after receiving two yellow cards – the second for simulation.
While City battled away to halve the deficit in the second period, with Demarai Gray and Ben Chilwell both sending strikes off target, they couldn’t break down a resilient Eagles defence.
Puel introduced strikers Leonardo Ulloa and Shinji Okazaki late on, but after Benteke had seen a header saved by Schmeichel, Palace made it 3-0 in injury time as Bakary Sako curled in off the post.
Major moment
Having been so consistent for Leicester City this term, Wilfred Ndidi was hoping to mark his 21st birthday with a fifth-straight Premier League win.
However, Roy Hodgson’s men moved into a healthy 2-0 lead before the interval and after Ndidi was dismissed with 62 minutes on the clock, the Foxes couldn’t mount a recovery.
Who impressed?
Kasper Schmeichel pulled off two fine stops against Crystal Palace, denying Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the first half, before turning a far-post header from Christian Benteke to safety.
Where do we stand?
With a four-point advantage over ninth-placed Watford, the Foxes will end the weekend in eighth position regardless of results elsewhere.
Coming up…
City welcome Manchester City to King Power Stadium on Tuesday evening, as they attempt to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.