Leicester City boss plays down Riyad Mahrez strop

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Nov 26, 2017. 10:00

Leicester City manager Claude Puel has played down Riyad Mahrez’s angry reaction to being substituted in Friday night’s 1-1 draw at West Ham United.

The Algerian star was replaced in the 70th minute by Ben Chilwell and his unhappiness at the substitution was clear for all to see.

However, the Foxes’ French coach has shrugged off the incident, insisting most players are unhappy to be replaced during a game.

"When a player leaves the game they are disappointed - it's not too important,” Puel said in the wake of the Premier League clash.

"It was hard to find Mahrez in the second half.

“We tried to play on the counter attacking with Demari Gray and Vardy against this team as they were playing with long kicks and winning the second balls.

“But it was not possible to find them in the second half."