Leicester

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Former Leicester winger Matt Piper has accepted decisions will go against the Foxes this season.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast about the controversial VAR review against Crystal Palace, Piper said: "I thought it was offside - like everyone else did. I thought the linesman got it spot on.

"The weird thing was about this situation is that when you see the stills on the TV, it didn't show James Justin, but they were clearly communicating with the referee saying Justin was keeping Mateta onside.

"We didn't see that image and no one else did. The images I've seen today, where you can see Justin in the still, Mateta still looks two yards offside - so it's not great."

The BBC's John Bennett added: "I don't go down the conspiracy route but I agree with Gary Lineker and what he said on Match of the Day. If it is that close, I think you have to stick with the on-field decision.

"Even after studying it, I still think it looks offside."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Kate Blakemore
Fan writer

Jamie Vardy did what Jamie Vardy does best with his beautifully taken goal at Selhurst Park. He made light work of his opponent, the apparent £50m+ defender Marc Guehi, with his seemingly timeless pace and superb execution, rounding the keeper with a narrow-angled finish. The celebration wasn't the flying eagle from yesteryear, but a simple smile and 'chit-chat' with the furious home fans. Wonderful. How long will this old dog still be using his old tricks?

Leicester had done the hard work; a 2-0 lead, away at one of the trickier away grounds to navigate. Surely all that was needed was to see it home, right? Not quite. It seems the modus operandi for this was the bane of contention for some fans, fuelled by some divisive tactics from Steve Cooper and an ambiguous VAR intervention (this 'blog' would become a 'novel' if I opened the VAR can of worms).

Cooper's change of tactics around the 70 minute mark to a more defensive set-up, while understandable on one hand, the choice of personnel raised many eyebrows on the other, especially with the exclusion of Ricardo Pereira.

It's a hot topic of conversation, as the player who was the foundation of 'Enzo ball' has yet to feature in any of Cooper's first four league games. He's one of Leicester's best players; good on the ball, versatile and provides attacking and defensive options. It's incredulous that a player who was virtually un-droppable, and often captain, for one manager, appears to be frozen out by another. I do hope that 'Rickie P' isn't a hill Cooper is prepared to die on, as I fear this won't end well, especially, as with any newly promoted team, you have to rely on your quality players to pull you over the line. Always play your best players.

Find more from Kate Blakemore at Leicester Till I Die, external

The latest episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast has landed. Owynn Palmer-Aitkin, John Bennett and former Foxes winger Matt Piper discuss Saturday's draw with Crystal Palace, Steve Cooper's tactics and the video assistant referee.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Former Leicester City coach Mike Stowell says Wifred Ndidi was his man of the match in the Foxes' draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, with the midfielder showing good "discipline and timing" on the ball.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, Stowell praised the Nigeria international: "I have always known Wilf as a number six because of his defensive attributes.

"But he is also dogged and will go all day long and put his body on the line. He is very clever with his challenges and those long legs of his just give him range.

"His discipline and timing of things with Jamie Vardy was brilliant. Vardy was orchestrating and pointing [to where he wanted to receive the ball]. Wilf was just doing Vards' running for him because Vards is clever enough to tell him when to go and run to press a ball.

"He won the ball back so many times against Palace, which really put us on the front foot and in behind. So, without a shadow of a doubt, he was man of the match.

"I did say my concerns for him, which would have been being discussed down there [by the coaches], around his tiredness and being on a yellow card. So the question is: do you take him off or do you not?

"There were some big choices and calls to make from Steve Cooper, as the manager. Wilf might have been tired but him coming off was a big turning point for me."

Listen to the full post-match podcast on BBC Sounds

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Leicester were close to a win against Crystal Palace and Ipswich have had a really tough start, but this is the second-worst start a promoted trio have made to a Premier League season in terms of points, with only last season worse.

This is also the fourth time in the last five seasons that the promoted sides have failed to reach double figures between them.

That only happened six times in the previous 26 seasons where three sides were promoted.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Leicester.

Here are some of your comments:

Palace fans

Gary: We seem to be playing like a team in transition at the moment. I'm sure once the players get used to each other we will become a very good side.

Pedro: We got our 'get out of jail free' card but we were sloppy all over, failing to cover and track back, and too easily broken up in attack. Early days - but we need to tighten up in defence and overlap better in attack. Frustrating with signs of promise.

Hector: Palace first-half performance was dreadful. We had no stability at the back. This is because we play a different back five every game. But credit to Glasner for throwing on more attack-minded players. Also, Eddie Nketiah had a solid debut and looked dangerous. He be a good addition!

Leicester fans

Steve: I wish Cooper would stop being so cautious. We were well on the way to beating Palace, then for no reason he puts on another defender. Two points thrown away by manager incompetence for me. Gutted we didn't win.

Mike: Really disappointing to have not won the match, but a good performance away from home. Before the game, I think most Foxes fans would have been happy to take a point.

Dave: A point is welcome but it really should have been more. Defensive lunges in injury time aren’t a sign of clever defending. Anyone who saw Vestergaard play for Denmark last week must be asking why he wasn’t in the team. Is Cooper going to put him in the freezer like Rodgers did? If so, why?

Gary Linker brings you highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest

• Aston Villa 3-2 Everton