Leicester Miss Out in Dramatic Finale

Watford 3:1 Leicester City

City missed out on a Wembley Play-Off final in the most agonising way possible at Vicarage Road when Troy Deeney smashed home the decisive goal for Watford, seconds after Anothony Knockeart’s penalty miss in the 7^th minute of injury time…

Nigel Pearson fielded an unchanged side again and City pressed forward right from the kick off gaining three corners in quick succession.  Knockaert’s flag-kick found De Laet at the near post but his was blocked by Deeney.
But Watford looked dangerous going forward and a ball over the defence from Deeney set Vydra up but he snatched and missed the target as he had done in the first leg.
The lively Deeney then tested Schmeichel with a shot from the edge of the area.
This good spell for the Hornets was capped with a 15^th minute opener, Vydra making no mistake this time with a stunning volley to square the tie.  However City responded well to this set back and hit back with an equaliser just four minutes later.
James’ corner found Nugent at the far post and he sent a header beyond Almunia’s reach to restore City’s lead in the tie.
Deeney then forced another save from Schmeichel while Knockeart fired an effort over the bar.
City had preserved their advantage up to the three-quarter mark, and were 45 minutes from Wembley.

Early in the second half Knockaert sent a free kick narrowly over the bar and then a Nugent header went straight to Almunia.
On the hour both sides made a chance with swapping Kane for Wood and Zola introducing Forestieri for Doyley with more accent on attack.
It soon paid off for the home side when Vydra exchanged passes with Deeney before sending a precise low shot past Schmeichel to level the tie.
Pearson then brought Drinkwater on for Dyer.
The game entered a nervy last twenty minutes… Battocchio was denied by Schmeichel while Nugent and Kane both wasted well placed free-kicks sending them sailing over the crossbar.
As the 90 minutes came up Watford began to turn on the pressure, but this was broken up somewhat by a lengthy spell of treatment and it was City who were presented with a girt-wrapped ticket to Wembley with 97 minutes on the clock.
Knockaert surged into the penalty area on the right and went down under a challenge from Chalobah. It may have been a little harsh, but after a couple of seconds thought Michael Oliver pointed to the spot.

Knockeart’s spot kick was saved by Almunia, who also managed to block the Frenchman’s follow up effort.
To add insult to injury Watford then charged upfield, Forestieri floated a cross over from the right, Hogg nodded it back and smashed it into the net, sending Watford to Wembley seconds after the ball had been on their penalty spot.

It was a dramatic and devastating end to a season, but in truth on the day and over the campaign as a whole, Nigel Pearson’s man had fallen short.

Watford: Almunia, Deeney, Doyley (Forestieri 65), Briggs, Vydra, Anya, Abdi, Cassetti, Battocchio (Hogg 79), Chalobah, Ekstrand. Unused Subs: Bond, Eustace, Hall, Pudil, Geijo.
Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, King, Dyer (Drinkwater 67), Keane, James, Schlupp, Knockaert, Nugent, Wood (Kane 61). Unused Subs: Logan, Konchesky, Marshall, Vardy, Moore.

Referee: Michael Oliver. Attendance: 16,142.

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Nugent’s late strike edges City Ahead

Leicester City 1:0 Watford

An 81st minute goal from David Nugent gave Leicester a slender lead to take to Watford in their play-off semi-final…

Nigel Pearson fielded an unchanged side for this vital first leg, watched by the largest crowd of the season who turned up the volume to a level we haven’t heard for a few seasons.
And City responded early on, dominating possession for the first 20 minutes. Nugent’s back-heel was saved by Almunia as City went close to taking an early lead. Almunia was then equal to a De Laet header from a James’ corner as City relentlessly pressed forward at pace.
Watford’s first chance came on 18 minutes when a Schlupp error let Anya in on goal.  But Schmeichel blocked his shot and then saved again from Abdi. This incident seemed to turn the tide with City losing their early momentum and Watford being given time to establish their passing game.
Chances were rarer and Nugent fired one off target after being set up by the lively Dyer.
Anya and Chalobah, both went close for the Hornets before the last chance of the half fell to Knockeart who did well to battle his way past Ekstrand from the goaline.
City continued in an attacking vein after the break though too often passes were going astray and good work was undone.
Schlupp opened up a decent bit of space for himself but fired well over, before Abdi went close with a free-kick as the game swung from end to end.
The best chance of the game then fell for Vydra, but he snatched his shot with only Schmeichel to beat, for a huge let off for City.
Nigel Pearson brought Kane on for Wood just after the hour.
Watford were enjoying a decent spell now and Vydra forced a fine save from Schmeichel before Geijo sent his header over when it looked easier to score.
Just when it looked as though City had run out of steam they took a precious lead in the 81st minute. Knockaert’s free kick from the left saw a stampede of defenders and attackers towards goal and Nugent got there first to nod home his first goal since January and raise the stadium roof.
Straight from the restart City went agonisingly close to a second when Knockaert, was denied by a fine save from Almunia.
City were all over Watford, as they had been at the start of the game, but could not extend their advantage going into the second leg.

However, they have a vital lead to take to Vicarage Road on Sunday…

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, King, Dyer, Keane, James, Schlupp, Knockaert (Drinkwater 90), Nugent, Wood (Kane 63). Unused Subs: Konchesky, Marshall, Vardy, Logan, Moore.
Watford: Almunia, Hogg, Doyley (Hall 86), Pudil (Briggs 73), Vydra (Forestieri 90), Anya, Abdi, Cassetti, Geijo, Chalobah, Ekstrand. Unused Subs: Eustace, Yeates, Briggs, Bond, Battocchio.

 Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire). Attendance: 29,560.

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City regain Play-Off place with victory over Bolton

Leicester City 3:2 Bolton Wanderers

 Leicester’s first win in ten attempts put them back in the play-off frame -  with Jeff Schlupp’s winner finally seeing Bolton off  at the KPS on Tuesday night….

With every game now a ‘must win’ Nigel Pearson made two changes to the side that drew against Birmingham, Knockaert and Dyer returning to the wings  in place of Nugent andDrinkwater, in a 442.
City got off to a shocking start however,  as Morgan tripped Lee in the area and Ngog netted with the spot-kick despite Schmeichel getting a touch.
Bolton had the lead and were happy to defend which meant chances were few for City. In the 18th minute De Laet set up Wood for an overhead kick, but it cleared Bogdan’s bar.
Bogdan then saved well from a Wood free-kick and there was litle of note to report on a becalmed first half, until five minutes before the break.
Dyer burst down the left and into the area, where Butterfield brought him down.  Wood made no mistake from 12 yards for his first goal in ten games.
Two minutes later the crowd were out of their seats again as the game turned completely around. Wood set up Dyer who produced a fine finish to beat Bogdan and put City ahead.
City had their tails up for the second half, but Bolton gradually worked their way back into the game. City got a warning shot across the bows in the 61st minute when Davies struck the a post from 25 yards.
With 20 minutes remaining there was a familiar sinking feeling as City had seemingly once gain failed to see out a game.
Alonso’s throw from the right was nodded on and fell nicely for an unmarked for Pratley to prod home from close in.
Nugent came on for Dyer and was soon involved in City’s winner.
In the 79th minute  De Laet’s throw-in, was flicked on by Wood towards Nugent, who hurried Knight into a poor clearance which sat up nicely for Schlupp on the edge of the area. His dipping volley found the net much to the joy of the young striker and some long suffering fans.

There was a still a long nail-chewing period to endure and Bolton threw everything forward, Knight being denied by a fantastic Schmeichel save.
City survived a late aerial onslaught from the visitors to put their play-off destiny back in their own hands, thanks to their own efforts and some great results coming in from elsewhere.

Nigel Pearson was pleased with his players: “We had to deal with going behind to a penalty after two minutes, but it was important that we got the three points. We showed a lot of courage and also we showed a lot of ability.”

Leicester:  Schmeichel, De Laet, Konchesky, Morgan, King, Dyer (Nugent 79), Keane, James, Schlupp, Knockaert (Drinkwater 82), Wood. Unused Subs: Whitbread, Vardy, Logan, Gallagher, Kane.
Bolton: Bogdan, Butterfield (Ricketts 59), Knight, Dawson, Alonso, Kamara, Vela (Davies 57), Pratley, Eagles, Lee, Ngog (Eaves 87). Unused Subs: Lonergan, Ream, Hall, Sordell. 

Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear). Attendance: 22,442.

Leicester Can’t Shake off the Blues

Leicester City 2:2 Birmingham City

Nigel Pearson made two changes to the starting XI that drew at Brighton with De Laet in for Moore and Wood replacing Marshall.
In front of a large crowd for a televised game City had the first attempt on goal in the 12th minute, when Nugent forced a save from Butland with a 25 yarder.
James delivered the resulting corner from the right and former-Fox Davies, trying to get ahead of Morgan, nodded past his own keeper to put City ahead. It was a stroke of luck for a City side who hadn’t had the breaks lately and Schlupp should have added to the score in the 20th minute
after a Blues defensive error but he was twice denied by Butland.
Soon after Keane got his head to another James corner, but sent it narrowly over the bar.
King then wasted a good chance firing an effort straight at Butland, while for the Blues’ (wearing highlighter pen pink)  the lively Redmond kept  Schmeichel on his toes with a couple of smartly struck efforts.
Nugent then screwed a chance wide, before Wood fired a free-kick into the wall.

More chances came City’s way early in the second half but Schlupp sent one shot wide and then was denied by a Davies block.
In an entertaining end to end game Elliott then send a shot narrowly wide of Schmeichel’s goal.
The feeling that City might regret all those missed opportunities came to fruition on the hour when a clever Caddis move unzipped City’s defence and left Zigic with an easy tap in from six yards.
More chances came and went, Schlupp hit the post  and was then sent through on goal by King, but Robinson denied him with a brilliant recovering tackle.
Dyer came on for Drinkwater in the 68th minute as City threw everything forward and they regained the lead with fifteen minutes remaining. Again it came from a James corner from the right and  Schlupp rose like a salmon to nod a header under the bar from close in.
Sadly this did not prove to be the winner.
In the last minute Nugent carved a path through his own defence before conceding possession to Thomas and then tripping him on the edge of the  area. Referee Mick Russell judged that it was inside the box and Burke slammed it home despite Schmeichel getting close.

Any lingering play-off hopes have now surely been dispersed…

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Konchesky, Drinkwater (Dyer 68), Morgan, King, Keane, James, Schlupp, Nugent, Wood (Kane 87). Unused Subs: Marshall, Vardy, Logan, Moore, Knockaert.
Birmingham: Butland, Davies, Morrison, Gomis, Elliott (Thomas 76), Zigic, Redmond, Hancox, Caddis, Robinson, Ferguson (Burke 82). Unused Subs: Caldwell, Mullins, Lovenkrands, Doyle, Reilly.
Referee: Mick Russell (Herts). Attendance: 25,554

Leicester Dazzled by Charlton

Leicester City 1:2 Charlton Athletic

Charlton completed the double over City with a 2-1 win at the KPS on Tuesday night…

Drinkwater, Marshall and Wood returned to the side after an FA Cup rest and City enjoyed a bright opening spell to the game. Unfortunately it wasn’t as bright as the new electronic advertising hoardings which half blinded us for most of the first half and I can’t really report on anything that happened. Every time City neared the visitors’ goal we were dazzled by vivid Pukka Pie orange or neon Swift Fox Cabs yellow so much so that it is still imprinted on my retina. I really fancy a pie right now…

Apparently Knockaert forced a good save from Hamer, but by the time our eyes had adjusted to the glare Charlton had been gifted a 19th minute lead. After a defensive clanger on the left Pritchard took full advantage, squaring the ball for, inevitably, former City villain Kermorgant to sidefoot home.
City didn’t really respond to this set-back with chances limited to off-target efforts from Nugent, Knockaert and Konchesky.
Chris Powell’s side had more energy than City and were chasing them down all over the park, occasionally being too enthusiastic in the challenge.
City’s best chance of the half came courtesy of a fantastic run down the left and cross from De Laet, but Knockaert spooned his effort well over and Charlton took their lead down the tunnel at half time.

The second half saw Charlton maintaining their high work rate and Pritchard missed the target from long-range while Morrison’s volley produced a fine reaction save from Schmeichel.
Wood then found the net for City but was denied by the linesman’s flag, and then Nigel Pearson brought on Gallagher and Dyer for Marshall and Knockaert.
City finally managed an equaliser with twenty minutes remaining when good work from De Laet set up Wood for a smart finish from inside the area – his 8th goal in 7 games.
However, City found themselves behind again just eight minutes later when Haynes, who had been on the pitch for a minute looped an impressive volley over Schmeichel and into the net for the goal of his life.
City looked to have neither the ideas or the energy to recover from this further set-back. The best chance came when Drinkwater’s low drive from 30 yards found its way through but was tipped round the right hand post by Hamer.

With the rest of the front-runners all winning their games suddenly the future isn’t looking so bright…

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Keane, Morgan, Konchesky, Knockaert (Gallagher 64), Drinkwater, James (King 80), Marshall (Dyer 64), Nugent, Wood. Subs Not Used: Logan, Vardy, St. Ledger, Waghorn.
Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Wiggins, Cort, Morrison, Stephens (Wilson 90), Pritchard, Dervite (Haynes 77), Jackson, Wagstaff (Taylor 90), Kermorgant. Subs Not Used: Button, Evina, Kerkar, Fuller.

Referee: Michael Naylor. Attendance: 19,920 

Leicester keep Wolves from the door and retain second place

Leicester City 2:1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

City eventually overcame stubborn opposition and some frustrating refereeing to beat Wolves 2-1 at the KPS on Thursday night…

Despite fears that he wouldn’t be fit Knockaert made the starting line-up and was a constant thorn in Wolves’ side., often trying to weave his way through the gold shirted defence.
Wood then controlled a long ball on his chest  before sending a dipping 25 yard volley inches over the bar.  Marshall was the next to have a crack, testing Ikeme with a long-range effort that the former City keeper gathered at the second attempt.
City took a well deserved lead in the 24 minute when Schmeichel picked out Knockaert on the right and he worked his way through the defence towards goal before firing home from close in, making it look all so easy.
There were a few gaps in City’s defence however and during one sequence Sigurdarson and Ebanks-Blake both had attempts on goal.
But City should have gone in 2-0 up at the break when a Nugent dummy set Marshall up with a clear sight of goal but he fired over.

This miss looked more damaging 6 minutes into the second half when Doumbia set Sako up for a sweetly struck 20 yarder that arrowed past Scmeichel.
City almost conjured up an instant response when De Laet delivered a low cross from the right but Wood didn’t get a clean contact from 12 yards out and the ball went agonisingly wide of the far post.
Wolves enjoyed their best spell of the game after this and looked the more likely winners for a while, until City regained the lead in the 73rd minute thanks to a bit of Nugent magic. There appeared to be little danger to Wolves when Nugent collected the ball on the left, but he continued on a run across the field until the goal came within his sights and he produced a superb finish to curl the ball round Ikeme and find the net.
Wolves had one chance to equalise in the closing stages but Ebanks-Blake could only find the outside of the post with a good chance and City had a precious three points in the bank ahead of the weekend’s action.

There is, inevitably, growing talk of promotion among City fans but Nigel Pearson urged caution: “I think going into this crucial part of the season, it’s not easy, and we’ve managed to start the New Year well, but there’s a long way to go and it still remains very, very tight. I don’t think it’s prudent to make assumptions that we’ve cracked it because there’s a long way to go.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Keane, Konchesky, Knockaert (Vardy 76), King, Drinkwater, Marshall (Dyer 69), Wood, Nugent (Waghorn 90) Subs Not Used: Logan, Gallagher, Wellens, Futacs.
Wolves: Ikeme, Foley, Batth, Berra, Ward, Doumbia (Davis 82), Henry (Edwards 81), O’Hara, Sako, Sigurdarson (Peszko 77), Ebanks-Blake. Subs not used: De Vries, Doyle, Margreitter, Cassidy.

Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire). Attendance: 21,677. 

Fans lose out as Leicester beat Boro and the weather

Leicester City 1:0 Middlesbrough

City’s insistence on playing this fixture despite the conditions, no doubt with Sky TV in their ear, meant that thousands of City fans missed out on seeing their club beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at the KPS on Friday night…

City had declared their intentions early on saying the game would definitely be going ahead despite a whole day’s snow being forecast, and duly arriving. Gridlock across the city in the afternoon and evening meant that many people didn’t get home in time to set off for the game and some 15,000 didn’t make it, despite the delayed kick-off time due to Middlesbrough taking two hours to make a short journey from their hotel.

City, unchanged from the win at Bristol City, had the first chance of the game when Marshall’s effort brought a comfortable save from Steele. Boro soon had a chance of their own but McDonald blasted over from close range.
Nugent then tested Steele with a near post shot after a run down the right; before Knockaert cleared the goal frame of snow managing to strike both crossbar and right hand post with a dipping shot.
McDonald forced Schmeichel ito a save with a well struck shot from distance and the Dane was in action again saving from Bikey’s close-range header.
City twice threatened to take the lead just before the break but Nugent’s shot was saved by Steele, and then Keane’s header from a precise Wood chip sent the crossbar rattling again.

Ten minutes into the second half City struck the woodwork yet again, Konchesky’s cross headed against the foot of the left hand upright by Wood.

Nugent then found the net, turning De Laet’s cross beyond Steele, but the linesman’s flag signalled what must have been a very tight decision in Boro’s favour.
But City finally made the breakthrough with 20 minutes remaining. A fantastic lofted ball from Wood teed up Nugent for an even better finish past Steele to give City a precious lead.
Soon after a chance to clinch the points was lost when Nugent netted again only to be denied by the linesman’s flag for a second time. This time it looked like the correct decision.
Dyer, King and Vardy were all introduced into the action as City attempted to run the clock down without any drama, but that is exactly what happened as the game entered injury time.  Williams made the most of a clumsy Vardy challenge in the area and Roger East handed the visitors a life-line, pointing to the spot.
Fortunately for City, Schmeichel got down well to Emnes’ spot kick, to produce a fantastic save.

Three precious points, but a shame that some many City fans were denied the chance to experience it first hand.
Nigel Pearson commented on City’s lofty position: “It feels great to be second in the league. The players applied themselves well tonight. In the second half we pushed the full-backs forward more and took more chances going forward. I think we had the better chances and it was a good game.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Keane, Konchesky, Knockaert (Dyer 76), James, Drinkwater, Marshall (King 81), Nugent (Vardy 83), Wood. Unused Subs: Logan, Waghorn, Gallagher, Moore.

Middlesbrough: Steele, Hoyte (Thomson 21), Hines, Bikey, Friend, Williams, Leadbitter, Haroun, Ledesma, McEachran (Emnes 69), McDonald (Jutkiewicz 72). Unused Subs: Ripley, Reach, Bailey, Smallwood.

 

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire). Attendance: 8,585

 

City lose out to leaders Cardiff

Leicester City 0:1 Cardiff City

City were edged out of this contest against league leaders Cardiff by a single goal at the KPS on Saturday afternoon…

Nigel Pearson’s side had an excellent opening quarter of the game, with one-way traffic following towards Cardiff’s goal.  After Drinkwater had sent a long range effort sailing over the bar Nugent tested Marshall with an angled drive.
Marshall then did well to tip away a Morgan header from a corner; before City struck the woodwork twice in two seconds:  King firing against the post and Vardy instantly hitting the bar on the rebound.  An offside flag saved City’s blushes.
Knockaert then almost surprised Marshall with a swerving shot but he parried it to safety.
Cardiff then exhibited why they are the league leaders, taking a 25 minute lead with their first meaningful foray forwards.
City struggled to contain Kim down the right and his cross found Bellamy who produced a clinical first time finish from just inside the area.
Just as at Millwall, City’s heads seemed to go down and they could never match that opening spell again.
Vardy did manage to loop a header onto the bar just before the break, however.

The second half saw Cardiff dealing comfortably with City’s efforts to find an equaliser, while another immense contribution from Morgan ensured that the Welsh said didn’t add to their lead.  King also produced a brilliant last ditch challenge to deny  Gunnarsson from close in.
Vardy limped off early on, to be replaced by Waghorn, and then double substitution in the 62nd minute Dyer and Knockaert were replaced by Marshall and Lingard, but whatever combinations of players City had, they didn’t have enough to summon up an equaliser against an impressive Cardiff side.
Results elsewhere meant that City stayed fifth, but something is needed to lift them after a poor spell, possibly some activity in th eJanuary transfer window…

Nigel Pearson commented: “When you create as many goal-scoring opportunities as we did you would expect to score but today we came up against a side that, to be fair to them, defended well and had a lot of experience.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Whitbread, Konchesky, Knockaert (Marshall 62), King, Drinkwater, Dyer (Lingard 62), Nugent, Vardy (Waghorn 51). Unused Subs: Logan, James, Moore, Futacs.

Cardiff: Marshall, Connolly, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Conway, Mutch (Gunnarsson 76), Whittingham, Kim (Cowie 51), Helguson (Gestede 55), Bellamy. Unused Subs: Lewis, McNaughton, Noone, Mason.

 

Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire). Attendance: 25,055.

 

Foxes See Off Rams in Style

Leicester City 4:1 Derby County

Leicester eventually overwhelmed East Midlands neighbours Derby 4-1 at the KPS on Saturday evening, after losing control of the midfield for half an hour…

City, with Konchesky in for Schlupp at left back, had enjoyed four consecutive wins over their neighbours and got off to a great start in this televised evening kick-off.
In the 6th minute Waghorn’s corner from the left found Whitbread 8 yards out, his downward header beating  Legzdins for his first goal in a City shirt.
Waghorn then went close with a 25 yard free-kick which was curling into the top left hand corner before Legzdins clawed it away.
It was all City, and all Waghorn, at this stage with another free-kick after a Coutts handball finding the top of the crossbar.
He then acrobatically volleyed a Dyer cross goalwards but Legzdins managed to block.
The almost inevitable second goal arrived in the 23rd minute when an O’Connor error allowed Knockaert through. He squared for Vardy who played a clever ball through for Waghorn to stroke home the goal he so richly deserved.
It looked like game over at this stage but then Nigel Clough stuck an extra man in midfield and the Rams wrestled control from City.
Coutts forced a save from Schmeichel and then the City keeper was beaten seven minutes before the break after a neat move saw Jacobs setting up Robinson for a good finish.
It was almost worse for City as Schmeichel blocked a Sammon effort with his legs, but they took a slender lead in with them at half time.
The second half saw Derby continuing to run things, though City should have gone ahead when Dyer lashed a shot in which Legzdins blocked but the rebound fell to Knockaert; unfortunately hitting him on the arm.
Schmeichel then blocked a Robinson effort before Nigel Pearson brought on Marshall and Nugent for Dyer and Vardy.
Waghorn broke down the right and lifted the ball over Legzdins, but found the woodwork yet again. City didn’t have long to wait for a goal however, as the subs combined. Marshall ran through the Derby defence down the left before delivering a perfect cross for Nugent to nod home.
That was the end of the Rams’ resistance and Nugent added another in the 89th minute, to make it ten goals in two home games, getting a sweet half volley to a Drinkwater pass that flew into the top right hand corner.

Nigel Pearson was happy with his third placed team:  “It was an outstanding start to the game for us. I think that’s the best we’ve played. We totally dominated and to get two goals in that period was fully deserved. I was a bit disappointed that we were only one goal ahead at half-time, but I think we kept our composure well in the second half.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Whitbread, Konchesky, Knockaert (James 80), King, Drinkwater, Dyer (Marshall 66), Vardy (Nugent 66), Waghorn. Unused Subs: Logan, Schlupp, Moore, Futacs.

Derby: Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, Buxton, O’Connor (Freeman 77), Coutts, Hughes, Hendrick, Robinson (Tyson 81), Sammon, Jacobs (Bennett 85). Unused Subs: Fielding, O’Brien, Davies, Hoganson.

 

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (Durham). Attendance: 20,680.

 

You can give The FOX as a Christmas present to the Leicester City fan in your life this year thanks to our new offer.All the issues that have come out to date this season: The Summer Special 2012; FOX 181 and FOX 182, will be posted along with the December issueFOX 183 just in time for Christmas and will be gift-wrapped (also included will be a set of 8 Leicester City postcards).
The recipient will then receive the rest of the season’s issues when they are published in 2013…All this Leicester City related fun and games for just £13… 

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It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…

Penalty Leaves Pearson Fuming as City are held by Forest

Leicester City 2:2 Nottingham Forest

City, with Whitbread in for Keane and Schlupp taking on Konchesky’s left back role, started this East Midlands derby brightly and were ahead by the 6th minute. Dyer motored down the left and fired a shot across goal, which was diverted past Camp by Ward when it looked to be heading wide.
Morgan almost double the lead when he was inches short of getting a touch to Waghorn’s free-kick floated over the Forest defence.
However, City looked a bit slack at the back for a period and were eventually carved up by a Forest passing move that ended with Guedioura’s equaliser flying past Schmeichel.
City regained the lead ten minutes later when an ingenious lob from Knockaert fell for Nugent who produced a sublime touch to lift the ball over Camp.
The second half presented City with several chances to wrap the game up, but none of them were taken. Waghorn, with time and space should not have given Collins a chance to clear off the line; and then his header was saved by Camp at full stretch. Dyer’s firm drive then forced Camp into a another fine save.
Lingard came on for the injured Nugent, for a promising debut, but fortune favoured Forest in the 67th minute.

Whitbread got into a tangle with Sharp on the edge of the area but clearly played the ball away from danger. The referee pointed to the spot for the softest of penalties which Cox converted past Schmeichel amid much City protest.
Having been gifted a point Forest were not going to let go of it and City, with Nugent off and Waghorn still struggling to find his form, did not have enough firepower to trouble them. Knockaert’s depature for Marshall also removed City’s ability to produce something special.
Waghorn got a free header to a Marshall corner, but it was well wide and City had to be content with a point.

Not surprisingly Nigel Pearson was not happy with referee Anthony Taylor.

“You can tell I’m not happy about it and I’ve seen on the TV again and basically it’s a good challenge. He gets the ball, the referee is in a good position, full-stop.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Whitbread, Schlupp, Knockaert (Marshall 77), King, Drinkwater, Dyer, Nugent (Lingard 59), Waghorn. Unused Subs: Danns, Logan, James, Moore, Futacs.

Forest: Camp, Moloney, Ward, Collins, Halford, Cohen, Guedioura (Jenas 53), Gillett (Blackstock 87), Reid (Lansbury 79), Cox, Sharp. Unused Subs:  Darlow, McGugan, Coppinger, Tudgay.

 

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire). Attendance: 24,793.

 

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