adminLeicester City were held to a 0-0 draw at MK Dons on Saturday afternoon as their wait for a first league victory goes on.
Russell Martin’s men dominated the game with over 75% possession and 22 shots, but were unable to find a winner.
Sammy Braybrooke and Jayden Joseph struck the frame of the goal, while Liam Cullen missed a golden opportunity inside the six-yard box in injury time.
It means the Foxes are winless from their first three League One games and have just picked up two points.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes when Harry Souttar’s lofted through ball beat the Dons defence.
The Jamaican, who replaced Admir Bristric in attack on Saturday, took the ball down well but his stabbed effort went wide of Craig MacGilivray’s goal.
Jayden Joseph then forced MacGilivray into his first save after a brilliant team move. After Wes Burns and Conor Chaplin kept the ball on the right, Joseph ran through on goal and nearly sneaked the ball into the near post.
City came out for the second half with more tempo to their game and created another big opportunity, going from their own goal kick to within inches of taking the lead.
Admir Bristric was returned the ball from Burns on the right, beat his defender and whipped a powerful strike towards goal, only for it to be deflected. From the following corner, Sammy Braybrooke then forced MacGilivray into a quick reaction save from distance.
Braybrooke was provider once again for City, this time making the chance out of nothing. He took the ball down under pressure from Callum Paterson and drove forward, before striking the outside of the post just inside the box.
The second half of dominance continued for Martin’s side and they nearly snatched it at the end when Joseph’s long-range effort cannoned off the crossbar.
Liam Cullen came so close to striking the winner from close range when he ran onto Christian McFarlane’s low cross, but his strike was right into the hands of Craig MacGilvray.
Here is how Josh Holland rated the City players in Milton Keynes…
Jakub Stolarczyk — 6
Confident on the ball throughout to draw attackers towards the ball. Stolarczyk also claimed balls from corners to release the pressure.
Jayden Joseph — 6
Defended so well when faced 1v1 with the attacker and looked to play forward at every attempt. Didn’t rush anything at all and struck the crossbar from distance to nearly win it.
Harry Souttar — 6
Played some fantastic balls into the final third and was robbed of an assist for Reid. Massive block inside the box to keep MK out. Best performance on the ball, which is encouraging to see.
Luke Thomas — 8
His best performance all season. Forced out of his comfort zone against Sam Nombe and held his own. Swept up any ball towards his direction and was fine on the ball. Man of the Match for me.
Christian McFarlane — 7
Pinched ball back from Collins to maintain pressure on the halfway line. Constantly an attacking option down the left, with the physical ability to come back and defend.
Louis Page — 7
Took the ball so well under pressure and on half turn, always wanted it when the defence had it. Helped Leicester maintain pressure in the final third and had the spacial awareness to come and collect it during the build-up phase.
Sammy Braybrooke — 7
Another good display by Braybrooke. Unlucky not to score twice, but defensively important to clear balls and pick up loose ones when City were forced to defend.
Conor Chaplin — 6
Looked up for it and wanted to get on the ball as much as possible. Suffered a knock early on, continued but was forced off. The news is that he was able to walk off.
Wes Burns — 6
Stayed high and wide to stretch MK Dons’ defence, linking up well with Chaplin early on. The winger is definitely far from his best, but that’ll come.
Tommy Watson — 6
Couldn’t get going when given the ball and had too many loose touches that should have been close to his feet. Was better after the break but too many of his passes/crosses were weak.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid — 6
Missed a big chance early on before returning to his best position behind the striker when Chaplin came off. Played the simple ball throughout but had little impact.
Substitutes
Admir Bristric — 6
Nearly scored a fantastic goal from distance after receiving the ball on the turn. Ran about but didn’t get enough service.
Harry Howell — 6
Continued to look tricky and dangerous down the right, but decision-making let him down at times. Positives, for sure.
Liam Cullen — 6
Pressed Dons high to force them to go long a number of times. Looked like he should have scored at the end, but I’m not sure.
Will Alves
Beat Ekpiteta with his first action and nearly created a fantastic goal from Joseph. Offered more than Watson.
Abdulhafiz Teslim
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