How we scored the Leicester City players as Abdul Fatawu’s stunning late volley earns Leicester City a victory over West Brom and moves them into the top half of the table
Ricardo Pereira in action during Leicester City’s 2-1 win over West Brom
Ricardo Pereira in action during Leicester City’s 2-1 win over West Brom
Abdul Fatawu struck a stunning late volley to earn Leicester City victory they did not come close to deserving.
Fatawu hammered the ball high into the net with seconds remaining at the King Power Stadium, with Jakub Stolarczyk having made a series of fine saves to deny West Brom earlier in the second half.
The Baggies arrived on the back of nine straight defeats on the road, their worst run for 50 years, but were the better of the sides, with City on the back foot for nearly three-quarters of the match.
But Fatawu has come up with plenty of spectacular goals this season and his latest clinched three points that move City into the top half of the table.
It went from Jordan James to Ricardo Pereira to Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who played a quick one-two with Abdul Fatawu before finding James’ run. The Welshman beat Josh Griffiths to the ball and cut it back to Jordan Ayew to finish.
James then flicked over as City pushed for a second, but their spell of dominance waned soon after. West Brom took charge, and their period of control was much stronger.
They were inches away from an equaliser when Stolarczyk’s failed punch clear fell to Mikey Johnston, whose header was cleared off the line brilliantly by a scampering Ricardo Pereira.
The Baggies did have their goal three minutes later. City afforded too much space to Alex Mowatt in midfield, and then to Karlan Grant on the West Brom left, the forward using his pace to race into the box and finish into the far corner.
The West Brom dominance continued after the break and Leicester needed their goalkeeper to stay level.
Hamza Choudhury tried to play offside but the assistant flag’s stayed down, Johnston reaching the ball and cutting it back to Isaac Price, whose rasping effort was brilliantly tipped onto the post by City’s number one.
Moments later, Choudhury was caught dozing again, this time by Campbell. He found Aune Heggebo in the box but again Stolarczyk was equal to it. Two more saves swiftly followed as the Pole kept out headers from Samuel Iling-Junior and Campbell.
City weathered that storm and managed one chance for themselves at the death, Stephy Mavididi crossing and Fatawu thundering the ball past Griffiths to earn the win. Here’s how we scored the players.
Jakub Stolarczyk: City may not have even got a point without him. He made four strong second-half saves, including a superb fingertip stop to deny Price. He got it wrong with his punch in the first half, but was otherwise brilliant, including with his speed off his line. 9
Ricardo Pereira: He afforded Grant too much space for the goal, but had to come inside to cover for Nelson. Beyond that, he was very good, showing his defensive nous and alertness to not only clear off the line, but also make several fine clearances and interceptions. On the ball, he was very composed too. 7
Caleb Okoli: Pretty solid, all told. He won his headers when he had to and was often in the right place in the box, although there weren’t any moments of outstanding defending. 6
Ben Nelson: He lost the ball for one dangerous West Brom attack early on and his failure to intercept the pass into Heggebo was fatal in the Baggies goal. He did fine otherwise and was decent on the ball. 5
Championship, Monday 5th, 2026
Hamza Choudhury: He was strong in the 50-50s early on and got forward well, but then he started dozing. He switched off twice and needed Stolarczyk to bail him out. 4
Oliver Skipp: He regularly cut out danger and on the ball he was pretty good. It seemed like a very good showing, but there will be questions as to where he was to allow Mowatt so much room for the Baggies goal. 6
Jordan James: The run and awareness for the Ayew goal was excellent and another sign of a very promising midfielder. But he just didn’t do much beyond that, and also gave the ball away cheaply at times. 5
Bobby De Cordova-Reid: He was City’s best player during their very good early spell, showing great ball control and moving it quickly with first-time passes, including for the superb interchange in the build-up to Ayew’s goal. But when City lost control, he disappeared. 7
Abdul Fatawu: He barely did anything all game, and then he pops up with that. It’s one of the most cleanly-hit volleys you will see anywhere and it’s that quality that’s earned the three points. 6
Jordan Ayew: He showed good movement for his goal, the sort of play City want more of, but he just wasn’t involved in the action otherwise. 5
Jeremy Monga: His footwork in tight spaces was a joy to watch and he kept getting himself into the box where he couldn’t be touched. His crosses were into the right areas too. But his influence waned and defensively he couldn’t shut down West Brom right-back Campbell. 6
Louis Page: He looked very composed on the ball. Sometimes he was a little slow to release it, and sometimes turned backwards, but he looked strong in possession. 6
Stephy Mavididi: He wasn’t getting much luck on the left but then delivered the cross that set up the winner. 6
Patson Daka: He wasn’t really involved during his time on the pitch. 4
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