Leicester City player ratings vs Northampton as Will Alves impresses in 1-0 Carabao Cup win | OneFootball

Leicester City reached the Carabao Cup second round with a 1-0 win over Northampton Town, Caleb Okoli’s first-half header deciding Russell Martin’s debut.

LeicesterMercury.co.uk provided player ratings from the King Power. Northampton threatened inside the first minute when Harvey Saunders seized on Harry Souttar’s loose pass, but Jakub Stolarczyk saved.

City settled and almost struck when new signing Liam Cullen whipped across goal for Will Alves, only for James Maxwell to intervene. From the resulting corner, Luke Thomas picked out Okoli at the back post and Zach Jeacock could not keep it out.

Chances were scarce after the break. Okoli drew a save with a long-range effort and Bobby De Cordova-Reid fired over from a tight angle. Late efforts from Watson and Bade Aluko failed to test Jeacock.

Liam Cullen then volleyed in after Tommy Watson’s cross looped up, but the flag cut short the celebrations. Northampton pushed late after errors from Souttar and Okoli invited pressure, Stolarczyk racing out to avert danger.

Alves stood out with sharp footwork and service from the right, while Oliver Skipp and Jayden Joseph impressed in midfield and out wide. Okoli mixed authority with a few late lapses. Stephy Mavididi endured a frustrating night and De Cordova-Reid found it hard as a centre-forward.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk

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