Robert Koren’s second half goal was enough to earn Hull City a point at the Walkers Stadium and spoil new Leicester boss Sven-Goran Eriksson’s home debut.
Andy King’s fifth goal of the season put the hosts ahead in just the third minute, but Robert Koren’s fine strike five minutes after half-time ensured that the points were shared in a heated match which featured the return of former Foxes manager Nigel Pearson to the Walkers Stadium.
Both of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s recently acquired loanees Kyle Naughton and Curtis Davies featured in the starting line-up for the Foxes, who both signed for Leicester this week.
Leicester dominated the first half and were ahead after three minutes through Andy King after some excellent work from Richie Wellens and Matt Oakley played the Welshman in behind the Hull defence, and was able to find a way past Matt Duke despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball.
King was again involved minutes later when his cross was met by the head of Martyn Waghorn in the penalty area, who forced an excellent save from Duke.
From the ensuing corner, Curtis Davies – on loan from Aston Villa – was unlucky not to double Leicester’s lead with a solid header which drifted back across goal.
Kyle Naughton – also on loan at Leicester, this time from Tottenham – looked very assured as he pushed forward to cross the ball to Steve Howard at the back post, who headed back to Andy King whose goal-bound effort was blocked by fellow Welsh international Anthony Gerrard.
Bruno Berner’s long range shot just before half-time had Duke at full stretch again, but the full-back’s effort ran just wide of the far post.
Hull were a completely different side in the second half, and they were level within minutes after the restart with their first real chance of the game as Robert Koren’s superb long range strike could only be parried into the net by returning Foxes keeper Chris Weale after the Leicester defence failed to close down the Slovenian.
The visitors were the better side for most of the second half, creating a number of good chances to go ahead, as Mark Cullen’s volley from a route one goal kick flew just over the crossbar.
Some last ditch defending by Bruno Berner thwarted Caleb Folan at the back post as Hull continued to press, with the Swiss international just doing enough to put the ball behind for a corner at the back post to avoid a certain goal.
The game twisted and turned in the latter stages of the half with both sides looking for a winner, as Leicester substitute Franck Moussa’s corner found Jack Hobbs at the back post, his header lacked power and was saved by Matt Duke.
At the other end, Chris Weale was forced to make a near post save from a Kevin Kilbane header with fifteen minutes remaining.
As time began to run out, Paul Gallagher had a great chance to put the Foxes ahead after the Hull defence failed to deal with a Martyn Waghorn corner, but the ball bounced up just before his strike, and his shot sailed over the bar from close range.
Leicester piled on the pressure in the dying minutes as Bruno Berner’s shot was blocked in the six yard box after another Waghorn corner, but could not find a way through despite four minutes of added time.
The final whistle meant that both sides would have to settle for a draw, as both managers – each seeming fairly pleased with a point – left the pitch to a standing ovation from the fans.
Man of the Match – Curtis Davies
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