Former Wales manager Rob Page has claimed that Wilfred Ndidi was fortunate to avoid a red card during Leicester City’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
The Nigerian midfielder’s controversial first-half challenge on Cole Palmer became one of the game’s major talking points.
Ndidi was booked by referee Andy Madley after stamping on Palmer’s heel in the 28th minute, a decision that sparked protests from Chelsea players who felt the tackle warranted a sending-off.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Page weighed in on the incident, questioning whether the yellow card was sufficient.
“Wilfred Ndidi is very lucky. It’s a clumsy challenge, he has gone in for the tackle and landed on Cole Palmer’s Achilles tendon,” Page said.
Three minutes before the break, Ndidi squandered a chance to score his first goal of the season when his shot drifted wide despite being well-positioned.
He was substituted in the 71st minute after a mixed display, which included 22 touches, a 75% pass completion rate, and winning only two of seven ground duels. He also lost possession four times and made one clearance.
Chelsea took control early, with Nicolas Jackson scoring the opener in the 15th minute.
The striker converted confidently with a one-time finish from Enzo Fernández’s precise pass. Fernández added the second before half-time, heading in after Mads Hermansen saved Jackson’s initial effort.
Leicester managed to pull one back in stoppage time through Jordan Ayew, who converted a penalty after Romeo Lavia tripped Bobby De Cordova-Reid in the box.
Despite the late goal, Chelsea left the King Power Stadium with all three points, keeping Leicester under pressure in their Premier League campaign.
