Nugent Double at Ipswich puts Leicester joint top

Ipswich Town 1:2 Leicester City

Two goals from David Nugent turned Saturday’s game at Portman Road in City’s favour on Saturday afternoon.

Nigel Pearson gave Hammond his first start, and Vardy returned to the side with Knockaert suspended.
But City suffered an early blow when the Tractor Boys went ahead in only the second minute.
McGoldrick found a bit of space on the edge of the area and beat Schmeichel at his near post with a low shot, leaving City with a stiff task.
It almost got worse soon afterwards when a short Konchesky back-pass allowed McGoldrick in, but Schmeichel denied him with a fine save.
City looked a bit rattled for a while and other than half chances for Vardy and Moore they produced very little in the first half.
The first real threat to Ipswich’s lead came just before the break when a King header from a Drinkwater corner forced Gerken into a fine save.

It was a different story in the second half. Pearson introduced James and Miquel for King and Moore and City looked much better.
They equalised in the 51st minute. Dyer’s speedy run down the left saw him cross for Vardy who teed up Nugent for a fine first-time effort that beat Gerken from just inside the area.
That was Nugent’s 12th goal in 12 games against Ipswich and the 13th wasn’t far behind.  Six minutes later more great work from Dyer saw him beating the keeper to a Drinkwater ball, before setting up Nugent of his second from close in, sparking wild scenes of celebration in the away section.
Ipswich pressed forward in search of an equaliser, but the nearest they got was a Chambers header that whistled past the left hand post.
City coped with everything else thrown at them and Nugent went close to a hat-trick when he couldn’t quite get enough curl on a late effort.

It was essential that City bounced back swiftly from the Forest result, and this they did, despite an early setback and poor first half.
This was a huge result, that saw them go joint top of the Championship.

Ipswich: Gerken, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Mings (Hunt 77), Anderson (Taylor 64), Skuse, Tunnicliffe, Tabb (Nouble 64), Murphy, McGoldrick. Subs Not Used: Loach, Edwards, Hyam, Wordsworth.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Moore (Miquel 46), Wasilewski, Morgan, Konchesky; Hammond, Drinkwater, King (James 46), Vardy (Wood 75), Nugent, Dyer. Subs Not Used: Schlupp, Bakayogo, Taylor-Fletcher, Logan.

Referee: Oliver Langford. Attendance:18,227.

(Photo: Rob Coe)

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Leicester see off Rovers to go top

Leicester City 2:1 Blackburn Rovers

City went top of the Championship with a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at the KPS on Tuesday night…

Nigel Pearson made no changes to the side that beat Wigan three days earlier.
The recently departed Marshall hit an early shot on target, easily fielded by Schmeichel, and then Knockaert cut in from the right testing Kean with a well struck shot before City took a 15^th minute lead.
An inch-perfect ball slipped through the Rovers defence by King  set up Dyer who beat Kean from close range.
City went on to dominate the first half, although when they did add to their lead seconds before the break it was thanks to a soft penalty award from referee Simon Hooper and Spurr and De Laet tangled in the area.
Nugent netted from 12 yards, as he did on Saturday, to give City a comfortable lead.

The second half saw plenty of chances for City, attacking the Kop end, but they could’t find the net again. Kean denied Vardy in a one-on-one; and then made good saves from Knockaert and King.
Nugent then had a chance that was blocked by Dann, before a rare bit of play up the other end saw the second soft penalty of the night awarded.
Taylor went over after a Drinkwater challenge and the ref took the opportunity to even things out. Rhodes completed the job from 12 yards to set up a nervy last 20 minutes.
Pearson brought Hammond on for Dyer, and then Wood replaced Knockaert.
Dann’s header we well saved by Schmeichel and as City attacked on the counter Vardy was chopped down in the area for a much more clear cut penalty than the two that were actually given.
The tireless Vardy then struck the post in time added on, after which City managed to close out the game in a professional manner.

Three points took City to the apex of the Championship, just reward for their efforts in recent weeks…

Leicester: Schmeichel; De Laet, Morgan, Moore, Konchesky (Wood 79); Knockaert, Drinkwater, King, Dyer (Hammond 74); Nugent, Vardy. Subs Not Used: James, Schlupp, Hopper, Miquel, Logan.
Blackburn:Kean, Kane, Spurr, Hanley, Lowe, King, Rhodes, Marshall (Olsson 65), Dann, Evans (Taylor 65), Cairney. Subs Not Used: Kilgallon, Eastwood, Marrow, Morris, Judge. 

Referee: Simon Hooper. Attendance:19,135.

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Moore goal sets Leicester on road to victory

Leicester City 2:0 Wigan Athletic

Liam Moore’s first goal in a City shirt, and a spot-kick from David Nugent saw a comfortable 2-0 win over the FA Cup holders at the KPS on Saturday afternoon…

Nigel Pearson made three changes to the side that lost at Charlton with Konchesky, Knockaert and Dyer slotting into a 4-4-2 formation.
A lively opening saw Nugent and Knockaert missing the target before City took a 15th minute lead.
Knockaert’s corner delivered from the left found Moore unmarked at the far post and he beat Carson with a powerful header into the roof of the net. He delight at scoring his first goal for City was evident as he incorporated several celebrations including the Bale Heart, badge-kiss, fist pump, knee slide and advert hoarding kick in front of L1.
Wigan then had their first decent chance when Cup Final scorer Watson sent a 30 yard free-kick flashing past the left hand post.
City should have extended their lead before the break when Nugent blazed a decent chance over the bar and then Vardy’s great run down the left ended with his fierce shot being blocked by Carson.
The last action of the half saw Schmeichel instinctively blocking a fizzing shot from Barnett, ensuring that City took their well deserved lead down the tunnel.

City continued to create chances in the second half but the final ball was often wanting. Especially when City hit Wigan on the break and Dyer chose the wrong ball to Nugent with Vardy in space on the right. Nugent then overhit a pass to Knockaert when the Frenchman was well placed, but City remained in control of the game despite three substitutions from Owen Coyle.
Nugent then sent another chance high and wide, before another long range effort from Watson threatened Schmechel’s goal.
With ten minutes left Pearson brought on Wood and debutant Hammond for Dyer and Knockaert and within two minutes City doubled their lead and sealed the victory.
A clumsy challenge from Beausejour sent Vardy tumbling in the box and there were no protests as David Webb pointed to the spot.
After a brief struggle with Wood, Nugent claimed the ball and sent his spot-kick a little too close to Carson but still found the net.

It was an excellent afternoon’s work for City who retained their top six place against what should be one of the league’s stronger sides.

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Konchesky, Drinkwater, Morgan, Vardy (Schlupp 90), King, Dyer (Wood 79), Moore, Knockaert (Hammond 79), Nugent. Subs Not Used: Whitbread, Hopper, Miquel, Logan.
Wigan: Carson, Rogne, Watson, Maloney (McClean 62), Gomez (Powell 54), Boyce, Espinoza (McManaman 54), Beausejour, Perch, Barnett, Fortune. Subs Not Used: Nicholls, Shotton, McCann, McArthur.

Referee: David Webb. Attendance: 21,810.

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The Fox – The Leicester City fanzine since 1987…

Late Show Dispels the Blues…

Leicester City 3:2 Birmingham City

City left it late against Birmingham at the KPS on Saturday afternoon, but eventually battled their way to a 3-2 win…

Schmeichel was named skipper in the absence of the injured Morgan who was replaced by Whitbread. City retained the 4-3-3 line-up that earned a victory at Derby last week.
The first chance fell to City early on when Vardy raced clear of the Blues’ defence only to be bravely blocked by goalkeeper Randolph who then received a lengthy spell of treatment.
But despite a bright start from City it was the visitors who took a 12th minute lead with their first meaningful attacking move. The back-line looked to be missing Morgan a little as Ferguson squared from the left for a simple finish for Green.
Content to sit on this lead the story of the remainder of the first half was Birmingham defending in depth and City reduced to taking off target pot-shots from distance.
Wood, Drinkwater, James and Schlupp all peppered the Family Stand with their wayward efforts.
Vardy’s persistence down the left then saw him battle his way past Mullins and two other yellow shirts before firing a shot at the near post, which Randolph blocked.

But City couldn’t summon an equaliser before half-time and Nigel Pearson changed things round for the second half – Knockaert and Dyer replacing Wood and Drinkwater and the formation switching to 4-4-2.
Most of the action took place in Birmingham’s half and a great run run and cross down the left from Dyer saw Knockaert going close at the far post; shortly after Nugent had a fierce effort blocked.
However an extended period of City pressure led to nothing and then Schmeichel had to act smartly to tip a Spector free-kick round the post.
Referee Eddie Ilderton’s series of poor decisions were angering the home fans, especially when Robinson clearly tripped Nugent on the 18 yard line. The only debate seemed to be whether it was inside or onside the area, but the ref waved play on.
The mood lifted in the 77th minute however when Vardy received a Dyer pass 20 yards out and drilled it into the bottom left hand corner past Randolph.
The fans nearly raised the roof five minutes later when King delivered a similar finish having been set up by a Nugent pass.
In injury time City added a third when Ilderton harshly judged that Bartley had brought Dyer down in the area when it looked like a clean tackle.
Nugent made no mistake from 12 yards and, although Burke curled home a fine reply for Birmingham moments later, City had earned a fine victory that saw them sitting in second place in the table.

Nigel Pearson, who turned 50 this week, reflected:  “It’s early in the season so I wouldn’t say it’s a case of building momentum, it’s about finding your feet and trying to get off to a good start which we have done. I don’t think that our performances have been what we’re looking for, but the important thing at the minute is that we’re able to win tight games and that’s always a quality which isn’t easy in this division.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Moore, Whitbread, Schlupp, Drinkwater (Dyer 46), James, King, Vardy, Wood (Knockaert 46), Nugent. Subs Not Used: Waghorn, Danns, Bakayogo, Miquel, Logan.
Birmingham: Randolph, Eardley, Robinson, Burn, Mullins (Burke 86), Novak, Elliott, Spector, Adeyemi, Green (Shinnie 58), Ferguson (Bartley 78). Subs Not Used: Ambrose, Doyle, Reilly, Allan.

Referee: Eddie Ilderton. Attendance: 21,229.

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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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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

 

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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