In a match lacking quality, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half opener marked Crystal Palace’s first shot on target. Seven minutes after the break, Mateta capitalized on Ismaila Sarr’s surging run and precise through ball, calmly rounding the advancing goalkeeper before slotting into an empty net for his sixth Premier League goal of the season.
Palace sealed the win in style as England center-back Marc Guehi volleyed home a free kick with precision after drifting in from the left channel.
Leicester City started brighter in the first half, but their lack of cutting edge was evident. Jamie Vardy squandered a golden one-on-one chance, and the Foxes struggled to create clear opportunities. After falling behind, they showed more urgency, with Vardy and Patson Daka missing the target and Boubakary Soumare hitting the crossbar from a cut-back.
"It's hard. We kept spirits up after five losses, and we'll do the same after today's defeat," said Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. "There’s hope and spirit in the team, but this loss is a big blow—the lowest point of my time here so far. Conceding this many goals makes winning games incredibly difficult. It's something we've been addressing since day one, but we haven't got it right yet."
Leicester remain 19th, two points from safety, having taken just four points from 24 since Van Nistelrooy’s appointment. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace climb to 14th, moving above Manchester United and eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Persistent Issues for Leicester
Four of Leicester's recent six defeats have come against top-seven opposition, but recurring defensive frailties remain a significant concern. They have conceded at least two goals in each of their losses and failed to score in four of those games.
This six-match losing streak matches their slump from September 2022, with the last longer run of defeats occurring in 2001 when they lost eight consecutive top-flight matches.
Despite creating chances, Leicester’s lack of clinical finishing is glaring, especially with Vardy failing to convert key opportunities. Their first shot on target in the second half came in stoppage time, highlighting their struggles in attack.
The mood at the King Power Stadium reflected the team’s struggles. Fans chanted against director of football Jon Rudkin, and a supporter even made it onto the pitch during the second half.
Professional Palace Keep Rolling
Crystal Palace’s victory wasn’t flashy but was a textbook example of an efficient away performance. They failed to register a shot on target in the first half, their best chance falling to Mateta, who fired over after a blocked clearance.
However, Oliver Glasner’s side improved significantly after the break. Sarr’s driving run and assist showcased his quality, while Mateta’s composed finish underlined his poaching instincts. Guehi’s volley was a moment of brilliance, taking full advantage of Eberechi Eze’s perfectly weighted delivery.
Palace have now lost just once in their past 10 league games (four wins, five draws) and are unbeaten in six consecutive away matches, their longest such run in the top flight since 1992.
While their Premier League survival is not yet secure, Palace appear poised to focus on climbing further up the table in the season's second half.
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