Leicester City’s attempted comeback fell short as a dreadful first half sealed their downfall in a disappointing defeat against Hull City.
Aaron Ramsey came off the bench to net a brilliant goal, but the Foxes couldn’t find an equaliser, with Harry Winks rattling the crossbar deep into stoppage time.
Ultimately, Leicester were undone by a shambolic opening 45 minutes in which Liam Millar — making his first start in nearly a year — curled in a superb opener before Joe Gelhardt doubled Hull’s advantage from close range.
The result ends Marti Cifuentes’ eight-game unbeaten streak, with Leicester tumbling from fourth to eighth in the Championship table — Hull leapfrogging them in the process.
Cifuentes made four changes to his lineup, handing starts to Hamza Choudhury, Boubakary Soumare, Jordan Ayew, and Patson Daka.
Leicester had been leading at half-time in their previous three matches, but there was no chance of that this time. They looked disorganised defensively and lacked the cutting edge needed to break Hull down.
Even before Millar’s opener, there was a warning sign. Choudhury stood off the winger, allowing him to whip in a low cross that Kyle Joseph flicked goalward — Jakub Stolarczyk reacting quickly to tip the ball onto the post. Moments later, Hull struck. Luke Thomas’s interception bounced kindly for the hosts, leaving him stranded. Gelhardt then delivered a cross that Millar met first-time from the edge of the box, curling a stunning shot into the top corner.
Leicester created two decent chances in response. Thomas found Ayew in the box, but the forward scuffed his effort wide. Shortly after, Choudhury played Daka through, only for the Zambian’s goal-bound strike to be blocked heroically by Semi Ajayi.
Despite Leicester’s brief flurry, Hull continued to dominate, and their slick build-up play resulted in a second goal on the half-hour mark. Ryan Giles drilled in a pinpoint cross that Gelhardt tucked home at the far post.
The away fans voiced their frustration with chants of “Marti, sort it out!” — and the manager reacted at the break, introducing Jeremy Monga and Aaron Ramsey.
Ramsey gave Leicester hope with a moment of brilliance, receiving a lay-off from Ayew before sending a looping 20-yard effort over Ivor Pandur and into the top corner.
The Foxes pushed hard in search of an equaliser, creating half-chances but leaving gaps at the back. Fatawu blazed over when well placed, before Stolarczyk denied Gelhardt at the other end.
As time ticked away, Leicester came agonisingly close in stoppage time. Fatawu weaved through defenders and teed up Winks, whose fierce strike thundered off the crossbar — inches away from saving a point.
It was a frustrating evening for Leicester, their defensive frailties once again exposed, and their attacking spark fading too late to make a difference.
City now face the task of regrouping quickly if they hope to stay in the promotion race — but questions will be asked about their sluggish first halves and inability to impose themselves away from home.
The Three Players Marti Cifuentes would be said to Blame for the defeat in the Dressing Room:
Luke Thomas:
His attempted interception left him in no man’s land for the first goal, and then he lost all track of Gelhardt for the second. Going forward, there were a few decent crosses and passes, but not enough to make up for the poor defensive moments. 4
Boubakary Soumare:
A bizarre game. He was so poor for so long, not knowing what to do on the ball, losing it regularly, and looking uncomfortable in attack. But then he improved greatly and set up big chances for Ramsey and Fatawu, supporting the winger well on the right. 4
Patson Daka:
A difficult evening in which he was almost totally ineffective, even as someone to stretch the game. He lacked strength when chasing loose balls and sometimes tripped himself up, while his touch was lacking at times too. Could he have shown more conviction with his big chance? It was a superb block by Ajayi. 3