Express & Star

Leicester City 2 Wolves 0 – player ratings

Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers rates the players after a 2-0 defeat to Leicester City.

Published

Rui Patricio

Barely had anything to do. Made a smart save in the 93rd minute, couldn't do anything for either goal. That was about it. 6/10

Ryan Bennett

For the second week running he was the pick of the back three. Saved a near-certain goal when executing a perfect sliding tackle on Gray, who was in on goal. There were a couple of moments when Gray got in between him and Doherty but overall Bennett was solid. With Saiss, Dendoncker and Batth all options for this position, Bennett's good start to the season is timely. 7/10

Conor Coady

Like the rest of his team mates he's making a step up and not finding it easy to adjust. Some good clearances and covering but also should have closed Maddison down quicker for the goal (although there was a lack of protection from the midfield) and nearly presented the same player with a tap in from a poor clearance. 6/10

Willy Boly

Better than last week, certainly in terms of getting Wolves on the attack with a couple of searching passes beyond the back line, but still not at his domineering best defensively. 6/10

Matt Doherty

A missed sitter, an own goal and an injury...certainly what you'd call an eventful afternoon. The own goal was unlucky, the finish was poor, but he also needed to sharpen up against the pacey Gray. Some good moments in the opposition third as well to counter that – he got forward to good effect. A day he'll want to forget, but calls for him to be dropped are nonsense. Doherty finished third in the player of the season vote last year (ahead of Jota, Boly, Douglas, Cavaleiro and many more) and is indispensable in this Wolves team. He's also very consistent, which makes a day like this an anomaly. Like everyone he has to make the step up, which he will. 5/10

Joao Moutinho

Almost scored with a sublime strike which cannoned off the crossbar and almost provided a delightful assist when he played a perfect pass through three defenders for a Jimenez chance. On another day that's a goal and an assist, but his tidy possession play and excellent work rate are also to be commended. Like Neves he could do with being better defensively, otherwise Dendoncker or Saiss will be brought in to shore things up. 7/10

Ruben Neves

He starred against Everton last week with a goal and an assist but didn't look himself in general play, with some uncharacteristically sloppy passes. This week there was no goal (although he did try one of his famous wondergoals with a dipping volley) or assist but he was more like the old Neves. Certainly in the first 30 minutes he ran the midfield, but thereafter Maddison's influence grew. 7/10

Jonny Castro Otto

After a steady debut he expressed himself more here and embarked on a couple of jinking runs including one in the build-up to Jimenez hitting the post. Later hit the woodwork himself after cleverly beating his man. 7/10

Helder Costa

There was so much room to exploit in an end-to-end opening half an hour but he didn't really take advantage. Work rate was there but the end product wasn't and he cut a forlorn figure when he ballooned an 18-yard shot into row Z on the stroke of half time. Conceded possession too readily. Given the hook at the break. 4/10

Raul Jimenez

He's made a very promising start to his Wolves career. A real livewire who comes alive in the box and is more enthusiastic than Jim Carrey after downing 10 cans of Red Bull. Great work ethic, regular finds space, good attitude and nearly scored a belting long-range effort which smacked off the upright. Influence waned when he was strangely pushed out wide to make way for Bonatini but nearly scored again when played in by Moutinho. Impressive. 8/10

Diogo Jota

Full of running but like Costa he lacked end product. Carelessly conceded possession for both of Leicester's goals, which will have infuriated his boss. Still a surprise to see him withdrawn though. 5/10

Substitutes

Adama Traore (for Costa, 45)

Ever seen a train drive through a field of weepy trees, destroying everything in its path? Me neither until yesterday. Adama Traore is a force of nature and boy is he going to get Wolves fans on their feet. Time and again he ran past players like they didn't exist, or like their boots were glued to the turf. A couple of times he picked the wrong pass, but he sent a decent cross to Jimenez and teed up Bonatini on two occasions for presentable opportunities. A special talent who will surely start next week. Hold on to your hats. 8/10

Leo Bonatini (for Jota, 45)

Two chances for Bonatini and he convinced with neither, sending both over the bar. As was the case for the last six months of last season, a goal would do the Brazilian the world of good. 5/10

Morgan Gibbs-White (for Doherty, 67)

Found some space behind the Leicester midfield but couldn't play that killer pass. 6/10

Subs not used: Ruddy, Hause, Saiss, Vinagre.