Leicester City manager Dean Smith has defended Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi following a nightmare performance vs Manchester City in the English Premier League on Saturday April 15.
Ndidi conceded a penalty for City`s 2nd goal in the 11th minute when he was adjudged to have handled a cross from Jack Grealish. City were awarded a spot-kick following a VAR review that showed the defensive midfielders made contact with the ball with his hand.
On that decision Smith told LCFC TV: “Yes, it’s unfortunate. I mean, Tim (Castagne) is looking to stop the cross. Jack Grealish lifts it, you know, to stand it up at the far post, and Wilf’s lifted his leg to try and stop it as well.
“And if the ball doesn’t hit his hand, it hits his face. But I would have certainly been claiming that as well if I was their manager”
A difficult evening was compounded for Ndidi when Kevin De Bruyne took the ball off him in the middle of the park before playing a pass to Erling Haaland who dinked the ball over the goalkeeper for Manchester City`s third goal.
Ndidi`s Super Eagles teammate Kelechi Iheanacho scored against his former club Manchester City as it finished Manchester City 3-1 Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Appointed as replacement for sacked Brendan Rodgers last week, Dean Smith is confident Ndidi and his Leicester City can still save their top-flight status despite sitting in 19th place on the EPL standings with few weeks to the end of the season.
The Foxes will next face Wolverhampton at the King power Stadium on April 22.
