Guaita grabs chance to shine on ‘beautiful’ league debut

Leicester’s Jamie Vardy bears down on the Crystal Palace goal Vicente Guaita stretches out his glove and parries on to the post The ball then rebounds back into the goalkeeper’s arms foul on the keeper. “My team-mates told me that Vardy was fast, a good player who plays hard,” Guaita said. “I went to kick the ball and he clearly fouled me. There is a difference in the amount of contact there is in England and Spain, but a foul is a foul whatever country you’re in.”

Manager Roy Hodgson told of his delight at having what he described as “three excellent goalkeepers” and praised Guaita after the late decision to start him. “Poor Vicente Guaita has had to wait to show what he can do. I was never in any doubt he would do well,” he said. Hodgson had expected Hennessey to be fit to play, but turned to Guaita after his back problem failed to settle.

“It’s a spasm. It’s something he suffers from due to his build – he’s very tall and straight-backed. He came in on Friday morning but no, he’s out. He can’t play,” he said.

Leicester face Manchester City tomorrow in the quarter-finals of the League Cup at the King Power Stadium. Manager Claude Puel, who was frustrated with their showing here, predicts they may not see much of the ball against Pep Guardiola’s men. “We need to use it with good quality, without rushing. We need to give our best without the ball for a long time,” he said.