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.

You can now subscribe to The FOX for the 2013-14 season online via Paypal – just press the blue button…

 

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.

You can now subscribe to The FOX for the 2013-14 season online via Paypal – just press the blue button…

Leicester Clinch Play-Off Place Against the Odds

Nottingham Forest 2:3 Leicester City

An injury time winner from Anthony Knockaert sealed a glorious 3-2 victory at Nottingham Forest and saw City scrape into the play-offs on goal difference….
Nigel Pearson made one change to his side with Nugent in for the injured Konchesky, with City needing win on a ground where they hadn’t succeeded in the league since 1972, while also relying on Blackpool preventing a Bolton win.
It didn’t look promising for City and their following of 2,000 as early as the 3rd minute however, when Cox was allowed two bites at the cherry with blue-shirted defenders slow to react, he prodded the ball past Schmeichel from close range to make our play-off hopes looking a little forlorn.
City responded well with Knockaert the driving force and his shot kissed the top of,  the crossbar in the 15th minute.
Nugent then tested Darlow with a well struck shot.
Meanwhile, at the Reebok, Bolton went a goal down to Blackpool giving the East Midlands sides an extra incentive.
City struck back in the 23rd minute when a James shot took a big deflection past Darlow to put City right back in the mix.
Nugent then missed out on a chance to put City ahead when he missed the target after being set up by Dyer.
City were the better side leading up to the break, as news that Bolton were two goals down circulated round the stands, and they took the lead three minutes before half-time.
Knockaert delivered a lovely cross to the far post for King to head home from close in, and as things stood at half-time incredibly City were in a play-off place.
Bolton, however, had pulled back two goals to go in at 2-2.

Forest took charge for a while after the break and levelled the score when Ward rose highest to nod home a Reid free-kick.
Things got worse for City a minute later when De Laet had to go off, replaced by Moore.
Wood then volleyed wide and goalmouth scramble, ended with a referee’s whistle, as City desperately pressed for that precious goal.
Kane came on for Dyer and then hearts were in mouths as Cox went one-on-one with Schmeichel, but lost out to the City keeper.
Knockaert then had a shot blocked before Pearson’s last change saw Marshall for Keane.
Four minutes of injury time were announced and then came the season’s defining moment.
A Schlupp ball upfield saw Knockaert and Wood suddenly outnumbering Forest defenders. Knockaert passed to Wood, who squared back to Knockaert as the keeper closed in on him, leaving the Frenchman to find an unguarded net right in front of the wildly celebrating Leicester fans.
There was no further score at Bolton, so City had miraculously leap-frogged their way into the play-offs at not only the eleventh hour, but at 11:59.
Considering the dramatic slump in form in the last few months it was incredible that they made it, but make it they did and City fans were queuing up for Watford tickets first thing Sunday morning…
Nigel Pearson commented: “It was one of those situations where we had to find a win from somewhere and with it being a local derby as well put a different dimension to it, but I thought the players coped well with the pressure.”

Forest: Darlow, Harding, Collins, Guedioura (Sharp 74), Cohen, Henderson, Reid (McGugan 62), Halford (Majewski 33), Cox, Lansbury, Ward. Unused Subs: McGugan, Tudgay, Blackstock, Ayala, Alrashidi.
Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet (Moore 56), Morgan, King, Dyer (Kane 60), Keane (Marshall 85), James, Schlupp, Knockaert, Nugent, Wood. Unused Subs: Drinkwater, Vardy, Logan, Gallagher.

Referee: Mike Dean. Attendance: 28,646.

You can now subscribe to The FOX for the 2013-14 season online via Paypal – just press the blue button…

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

The FOX – the Leicester City Fanzine – new email address

With the Sky email transfer over to Yahoo turning into a train crash we have now had to set up a new email address for The FOX…

thefoxfanzine@outlook.com

Please use this to contact us for the foreseeable future. Thanks.

City Fall at the Last Fence Again

Brighton & Hove Albion 1:1 Leicester City

Nigel Pearson made five changes for this trip to the south coast with Morgan, Moore, Marshall, Drinkwater and Schlupp returning to the starting XI.
Gus Poyet had to bring on an 11th minute subs  when Lua Lua came on for Buckley.
City looked much improved from the Barnsley outing and had the best of the first half.
King sent one effort across goal narrowly wide; while Nugent’s low drove was saved by Kuszczak. with a low effort from 20 yards as City were able Brighton’s best first half moment came after 30 minutes when Calderon’s header was blocked by the flicked up heel of Drinkwater on the line before Bridcutt fired the follow up well over.
City then went close up the other end, Schlupp squaring for King whose side-footer from inside the area smacked against the bar.
Schlupp then had a one-on-one with Kuszczak but he shot straight at the keeper.

City kept up their improved form in the second half: Konchesky’s cross from the  left,  eventually finding Moore at the far post but he put a difficult chance over. King then attempted a curling effort Kuszczak parried away.
De Laet then replaced Marshall on the right wing.
In the 70th minute Lua Lua’s pace took him round Moore but Ulloa mishit his shot inches wide.
Two minutes later City finally broke the deadlock. Moore’s throw from the right, was flicked on by De Laet and James reacted swiftly to gather the ball and despatch it past Kuszczak from close in.
Kane and Wood were immediately introduced for Nugent and Schlupp as City attempted to see out the closing stages and defend their vital lead.
Unfortunately this resistance only lasted until the 87th minute when Lua Lua cut in from the left and launched an effort from the edge of the area that beat Schmeichel for pace.
The game that City had to win ended in a 1-1 draw, which saw City remain outside the play-off frame, and was a huge disappointment for the 2,000 travelling fans.

Brighton: Kuszczak, Calderon, Greer, Upson, Bridge, Bridcutt, Lopez (Vicente 54), Hammond, Buckley (Lua Lua 11), Ulloa, Orlandi (Barker 78). Unused Subs: Ankergren, El-Abd, Painter, Crofts.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Moore, Morgan, Keane, Konchesky, King, James, Drinkwater, Marshall (De Laet 60), Nugent (Kane 72), Schlupp (Wood 72). Unused Subs: Dyer, Logan, Wellens, Knockaert.

Referee: Jonathan Moss (West Yorks). Attendance: 28,493.

Woeful Leicester outclassed by Barnsley

Barnsley 2:0 Leicester City

2,000 City fans headed North in the hope that they would witness the end of this current terrible, but they were treated to an abject performance which saw their side very much second best to a relegation-threatened Barnsley.

Nigel Pearson made three changes to the starting XI that lost to Millwall, with Whitbread, King and Dyer in and Schmeichel named captain.

It was another disastrous start for City with Keane slicing a Wiseman cross into his own net after four minutes.
Any confidence they may have had drained from them, and Barnsley had the ball in the net again three minutes later but Scotland’s effort was ruled offside.
Fortunately for City Schmeichel was on form and made fine saves from Hassell and Scotland.
Dawson then went clear of City’s defence and one-on-one with Schmeichel, but his chip missed the target.
Moore then replaced De Laet at right back,  just after the half hour mark.
Still Barnsley couldn’t add to the scoreline Mellis’s  full-blooded volley going inches wide.
But the Tykes got the second goal that their dominance deserved five minutes before the break.
Former Fox O’Grady exchnaged passes with Scotland before advancing on Schmeichel’s goal for a neat finish.
The City side were booed off by their travelling fans at the break

Four minutes into the second half it became clear that things hadn’t improved when Konchesky’s clumsy challenge on Perkins saw th ehome side awarded an obvious penalty. However, Schmeichel managed to save Scotland’s spot-kick with his feet to give the City fans something to cheer.
The City keeper was soon busy again, producing a double save double save from Scotland and Etuhu as the ball pinged round his goalmouth.
Marshall came on for Knockaert in the 55th minute but his only noteworthy moment came with an angry exchange with a group of City fans.
Schmeichel then saved from Dawson, before City managed an attempt on goal chance of their own, Cranie clearing a Wood header off the line.
He was soon replaced by replaced by Schlupp on the hour and the sub managed to find the net but was flagged offside.
Steele then made a good save to deny Nugent and Schlupp had an effort blocked on the line, but it was too little too late.

The final whistle drew an angry reaction from those City fans still in the ground, and rumours abound that Nigel Pearson may have taken charge of his last Leicester game. The current run has seen City in freefall and only a win at Brighton next week will keep hopes of a play-off place going.

Barnsley: Steele, Kennedy, Wiseman, O’Grady, Etuhu, Perkins, Dawson, Scotland, Mellis, Cranie, Hassell. Unused Subs: Alnwick, Harewood, Dagnall, Cywka, O’Brien, Rose.
Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet (Moore 32), Keane, Whitbread, Konchesky, Knockaert (Marshall 55), James, King, Dyer, Wood (Schlupp 59), Nugent. Unused Subs: Vardy, Logan, Wellens, Kane.

Referee: Andy D’Urso (Essex). Attendance: 10,425.

 

 

Ten man City Lose out to Lions

Leicester City 0:1 Millwall

 

The game which should have brought a new start for City brought another home defeat with Millwall playing against ten man Leicester for 88 minutes after Morgan’s dismissal. A spirited performance counted for nothing when Dunne hit an 87th minute winner.

With the City squad refreshed from a trip to Portugal De Laet, James,  Knockaert and Schlupp all returned to the side.
Sadly we will never know how things would have played out, as City suffered the blow of having captain Wes Morgan dismissed in the second minute. Keogh was sent through on goal and Morgan made contact about 20 yards out, but referee Stuart Attwell’s red card looked very harsh.
Schmeichel then had to make saves from Lowry and Smith then again as the Lions had their tails up.
The home crowd, stung by this injustice, roared on their side and in the 11th minute Knockaert crossed for Wood, who headed across goal for Keane, but Lowry cleared off the line.
De Laet and Nugent then sent efforts narrowly wide as the ten men pressed forward, but the Lions carried a threat.  Schmeichel saved a Hulse shot (and Konchesky’s blushes)  when the defender lost possession on the edge of the area.
Hulse then had the ball in the net but was denied by a late linesman’s flag.

Neither side made a change at the break but Nigel Pearson didn’t wait long to replace Drinkwater with King.
The game reached stalemate for a while with Chaplow, Trotter,Dunne and Schlupp going into the ref’s notebook but little else of note.
City’s best chance to snatch the points came in the 76th minute when Wood got his head to a Knockaert free kick but Forde managed to touch it onto the left hand post.
Wood then made way for Kane.
After holding out for so long City’s resistance was finally broken  with three minutes left when Chaplow laid on a ball for Dunne to run onto and crash home from inside the area.
City never managed to threaten in the five minutes of time added on as the dreadful run of results continued.

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Konchesky, Drinkwater (King 59), Morgan, Keane, James, Schlupp, Knockaert, Nugent, Wood (Kane 84). Unused Subs: Whitbread, Vardy, Dyer, Logan, Wellens.
Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Shittu, Trotter, Hulse (Marquis 72), Lowry, Keogh (Woolford 90), Jack Smith (Abdou 72), Adam Smith, Easter, Chaplow. Unused Subs: Taylor, N’Guessan, Malone, Saville.

Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warks). Attendance: 22,365.

 

City’s poor run continues with defeat at Derby

Derby County 2:1 Leicester City

Leicester’s play-off hopes took a further dent at Pride Park on Saturday evening, with a 2-1 defeat adding to a recent miserable run…

Nigel Pearson made one change for this local derby with Konchesky resuming his left back role, and Schlupp starting on the bench.

City enjoyed a good start to the game, as they always seem to,  St Ledger’s cross from the right set up King for a header that went narrowly over the bar.
However, it was Derby who took a 16th minute lead.  Ward’s free-kick into the area was met by Keogh who outjumped St Ledger to plant a header beyond Schmeichel’s reach.
City desperately searched for an equaliser but Konchesky had a shot blocked and Dyer fired over when well placed.
The Rams then had loud penalty appeals turned down when Wellens knocked Freeman over on the edge of the area.
A minute before the break the home side went further ahead, with more slack marking to blame.
Forsyth’s cross from the left found an unmarked Martin who had time and space to nod his header past an exposed Schmiechel.

Pearson brought Schlupp on for Wellens for the second half which brought an improved performance from City.
Eleven minutes into the half Marshall came on for Dyer on 56 minutes, and he soon forced Fielding into a smart save at his near post.
City’s best moment of the evening came in the 62 minute when Schlupp, teed up by Nugent,  fired a fine shot past Fielding to give some hope to the blue corner.
Nugent then wasted a good chance firing straight at Fielding, from a great position.
City’s last substitution saw Kane on for Wood.
Marshall then fired a free kick in his favourite range yards over the bar.
Despite six minutes of time added on City could not build up any significant pressure on the Rams defence, with them coping comfortably with the long balls raining in on them.

The poor run continues, and now it looks as though City’s place in the play-off frame may be under threat.

Nigel Pearson commented: “Not good enough. It was an awful game and we showed a lack of quality which is a bit difficult to watch again. They were poor goals to concede and we’ve got to rectify this very, very quickly because we’re putting what has been for long periods a very good season at risk by under performing. I’m going to have to have a good long look at how we shape up for the next game because I’m not happy about how we went about today.”

Derby: Fielding, Freeman (Gjokaj 82), Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Coutts, Hendrick, Bryson, Ward (Davies 62), Sammon, Martin. Unused Subs: Legzdins, Doyle, Bennett, Jacobs, Hoganson, Davies.
Leicester: Schmeichel, St Ledger, Morgan, Keane, Konchesky, Wellens (Schlupp 45), Drinkwater, King, Nugent, Wood (Kane 69), Dyer (Marshall 56). Unused Subs: Whitbread, Vardy, Logan, Waghorn.

Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire). Attendance: 23,122.