Paul Gallagher’s first half strike was enough to give Leicester City a much needed three points this afternoon against a poor Preston North End side at the Walkers Stadium.
The only goal came in the 36th minute when Gallagher latched on to a neat pass from Yuki Abe before slotting the ball past Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, in a game which seemed to spark out in the second half.
The result meant that Leicester leapfrog the visiting side in the Championship table, and also allowed the Foxes to finish October strongly, having picked up ten points from a possible fifteen since the appointment of manager Sven Goran-Eriksson.
Seven changes were made to the side that lost 4-1 to West Bromwich Albion in the Carling Cup during the week, whilst Preston were without suspended striker Jon Parkin following their 4-3 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.
Darren Ferguson’s men could have taken the lead in the first minute when a slip from Foxes’ defender Jack Hobbs allowed Adam Barton in on goal, but the 19 year old could only curl the ball wide of the mark from twelve yards.
At the other end, Paul Gallagher had a rasping shot tipped over the bar by Andy Lonergan, who was again forced into action from Martyn Waghorn’s ensuing corner kick.
Waghorn then had a glorious opportunity to put the hosts ahead soon afterwards when Miguel Vitor’s header fell to the former Sunderland man just inside the penalty area, but his wild shot flew well wide of the post.
Preston again had a great opportunity to score minutes later when Keith Treacy’s looping cross appeared to beat Chris Weale, but the Leicester goalkeeper managed to tip Adam Barton’s header over the bar.
As the game slowed down, Leicester were able to maintain possession and pass the ball around with confidence against a Preston side featuring former Foxes Callum Davidson, Wayne Brown and fan favourite Iain Hume.
The deadlock was broken in the 36th minute when Yuki Abe made a fine run through the heart of the Preston midfield before laying the ball off to Paul Gallagher, who fired precisely past the helpless Lonergan to net his first of the season.
Leicester remained the better side after the break, with full-backs Greg Cunningham and Kyle Naughton tirelessly running up and down the flanks to compliment any attacking play.
Cunningham – on loan from Manchester City – came close to doubling Leicester’s lead fifteen minutes into the second half after a wonderfully worked passage of play involving Richie Wellens and Paul Gallagher allowed the youngster to continue his mazy run from the left back position into the Preston penalty area; however his shot fell just wide of the mark.
After that, the second half contained very few clear cut chances with Preston never really threatening the Leicester goal, and Gallagher almost put the game out of sight in the 85th minute when his fierce shot was tipped away by Lonergan at full stretch.
In the last minute of injury time, Wayne Brown almost snatched a point for the visitors when he latched on to a hopeful ball into the penalty area, but his unmarked header landed inches wide of the post, much to the delight of the Foxes fans behind the goal.
Leicester held on for only their second clean sheet of the season – and three important points - as Eriksson’s impressive league form continues to help the Foxes climb the Championship table.
Man of the Match – Miguel Vitor
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