Sad Mad is FOXES ACE JAMES BLOWS HIS
LEICESTER produced a rare solid defensive display but lacked a cutting edge as James Maddison misfired in front of Gareth Southgate and got himself suspended.
The Premier League’s worst defence recorded just a second clean sheet of the season as the Foxes dominated Crystal Palace.
But dangerman Maddison failed to replicate his brilliant recent exploits as the hosts were frustrated.
And it could just be the death knell for his faint hopes of gatecrashing Southgate’s Three Lions World Cup squad.
Maddison, 25, had been in stunning form this term with five goals and two assists in his nine previous Premier League appearances.
It had led to a growing clamour for England boss Southgate (below) to call up the ace, whose sole international appearance was as a sub in 2019.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers even said earlier this month it would be “a shame for the country” if Maddison isn’t on the plane to Qatar.
Yet his red-hot form went cold yesterday, with time running out to convince the Three Lions chief to change his mind.
His disappointing efforts included a sliced shot into the stands and a free-kick that crashed into the wall.
To top it all off the star, who is a transfer target for Newcastle, was booked for diving in stoppage time trying unsuccessfully to win a penalty.
After notching up a fifth caution he will now be suspended for the visit of Leeds on
Thursday night.
It all seems highly unlikely to have been enough to convince
Southgate to change his plans to accommodate Maddison, unless he has injuries.
Leicester were the better side after recovering from a slow beginning as Palace made a bold start full of pace and purpose.
The hosts carved out the first good chance in the 17th minute when Harvey Barnes swapped passes with Patson Daka and Vicente Guaita came off his line to save.
The
Foxes kept u p the pace as they forced
Guaita into another save in the 22nd minute when Kiernan Dewsbury-hall released Daka who stung the Palace keeper’s palms.
Patrick Vieira’s side looked to exploit Leicester’s weakness at set-pieces but England defender Marc Guehi headed Eberechi Eze’s free-kick over.
After the restart Leicester got back on top and created a glut of chances.
But Maddison’s recent form was glaringly absent as he hacked a left-foot effort high and wide in the 47th minute.
He had another sight of goal in the 58th minute but dragged his shot wide.
Home goalkeeper Danny Ward needed to make a good save low to his right after Odsonne Edouard shot through Daniel Amartey’s legs with Palace’s first effort on target in the 64th minute.
But Maddison had another sight of goal in the 70th minute as his right-foot effort made an easy save for Guaita.
The hosts ploughed forwards late on in search of the winner but it wasn’t enough as some fans booed at the final whistle and a handful shouted “Rodgers out” after their side remained in the drop zone.