LEICESTER City manager Brendan Rodgers was disappointed in the performance of his big players, including Wilfred Ndidi, after last night’s defeat at Newcastle United.
Nigeria international Ndidi played the full game and was one of the Leicester City players who failed to stop Dan Burn from scoring the opening goal as Newcastle United won the Carabao Cup quarter-final 2-0 at St James’s Park.
“We were beaten by the better team,” Rodgers told LCFC TV in his post-match interview.
“We started well, we had to weather the storm, we had some chances in the first half. Patson [Daka] got in, we had an opportunity in the box, and we didn’t quite take it.
“Wardy (Danny Ward) had to make some good saves, but we didn’t play well enough, that’s the brutal honesty of it. We’ve come here before and passed the ball and showed quality, but we didn’t show enough quality this evening and the best team won.”
Newcastle had beaten Leicester City 3-0 at the King Power Stadium in a Premier League fixture on Boxing Day, and Rodgers saw similarities between the two games.
“We didn’t start well at all (in the league game). Tonight, we didn’t show our strength. We got into some good moments, but we lost too many balls, we gave away the ball too cheaply and if you do that, then it’s going to be tough for you,” he noted.
“I think the frustration is that the two goals that we conceded were disappointing. We had the ball, give it away, and then it’s soft goals. Obviously the second goal, it’s from a throw-in.
“You’ve got to lead in those moments, you’ve got to be stronger and it was two passes and too easy for them to get in.”
The other Nigerian at Leicester City, Kelechi Iheanacho, was a 64th minute substitute and his introduction brought a spark to the attack, although Jamie Vardy missed their best two chances to get back in the contest.
Leicester City are having a tough campaign, struggling in 13th spot in the Premier League, just two points away from the relegation zone.
