Leicester City continued to climb the Championship table following a well-deserved 2-0 win this afternoon over East Midlands rivals Derby County at the Walkers Stadium.
Andy King opened the scoring in the first half after Darius Vassell’s earlier finish was adjudged to have been offside.
Former Derby County favourite Steve Howard doubled Leicester’s lead with twenty minutes remaining with a spot kick after Kyle Naughton was brought down in the penalty area.
Victory for the Foxes meant that they rose to fifteenth in the league, halting high-flying Derby’s three-game winning streak in the process.
Leicester were almost ahead in the opening few minutes when Darius Vassell latched on to a long ball from Jack Hobbs, before firing past the onrushing Derby goalkeeper Frank Fielding – however, the former England international was adjudged to have been offside and thus the goal was disallowed.
The Foxes continued to capitalise on a strong start, and were ahead shortly afterwards when Richie Wellens split the Rams’ defence with a pinpoint ball through to fellow midfielder Andy King, who coolly slotted past Fielding for his seventh goal of the season.
Derby rarely threatened in the opening quarter of the match, with Kris Commons’ shot straight at Leicester goalkeeper Chris Weale being the visitors’ first chance on goal.
Shortly afterwards, Paul Gallagher and on-loan Greg Cunningham linked up nicely on the left hand side with Cunningham delivering a good cross in towards Andy King, but the Welshman failed to trouble Fielding with his effort.
Leicester continued to press for a second goal and came close just before the half hour mark when Paul Gallagher’s mazy run was capped off with a fine shot from 25 yards; however, the Scotsman’s effort sailed just over the crossbar.
It was Derby who finished the last ten minutes of the half as the stronger side, with Commons firing just wide of the post from 25 yards, and Luke Moore blasting over from close range after the City defence was caught on the back foot.
Tomasz Cywka came close for the visitors five minutes before half-time after a good run into the penalty area, but the former Polish under-21 international miscued his shot and the ball sailed harmlessly past Chris Weale’s near post.
Derby manager Nigel Clough must have been pleased with his side’s display at the end of the first half, but it was the Foxes who came back biting after the break through Steve Howard - looking determined to score against his former club - heading over from Darius Vassell’s cross just two minutes into the second period.
The away side should have been on level terms just after the hour mark when Kris Commons had a free header in the Foxes’ penalty area; but the former Nottingham Forest man failed to hit the target from twelve yards when he should have at least tested Chris Weale.
The introduction of substitute Lloyd Dyer gave the home side a much-needed energy boost, with the winger coming close with a curling shot parried away by Fielding after a fine run into the Derby penalty area.
Dyer continued to threaten, this time after meeting a Paul Gallagher cross in the box, but was unable to direct his effort on target after good pressure from the Rams’ defence.
Leicester’s attacking prowess eventually paid off when Kyle Naughton was clumsily brought down the penalty area by Kris Commons, with referee Steve Tanner having no hesitation in awarding the spot kick.
Steve Howard stepped up to fire the ball past Fielding for his fifth goal of the season - his second penalty in as many games – and crucially, to give Leicester a much more comfortable 2-0 lead.
As the Derby heads dropped, Leicester continued to press in search of a third goal, with the tireless Paul Gallagher terrorising the Derby backline with pinpoint crossing and excellent technical ability.
As the minutes wound down, Gallagher almost added insult to injury when his low shot took a wicked deflection and almost found its way into the bottom corner – however, Fielding managed to scramble across to his near post just in time.
The final whistle indicated another impressive win for Leicester under Sven-Goran Eriksson, a third clean sheet in four league games, and gave the Foxes bragging rights over a strong Derby County side.
Man of the Match – Richie Wellens
Saturday 13 November 2010
Thursday 11 November 2010
Leicester City 2 - 2 Sheffield United - 10th November 2010
Steve Howard scored a penalty in injury time to salvage a point for Leicester City against Sheffield United last night at the Walkers Stadium.
The hosts had initially gone ahead through Paul Gallagher’s superb free kick from 20 yards, but Mark Yeates netted twice for the Blades before half-time to give the visitors a slender lead.
However, Yeates was involved in Leicester’s equaliser when he was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area, allowing Steve Howard to bring the Foxes back on level terms in the second minute of stoppage time.
The result meant that Leicester’s unbeaten run at the Walkers Stadium now stretches back to September 18th, but City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson will be happy to take a point knowing his side lacked the cutting edge demonstrated against Barnsley last weekend.
Leicester were rewarded for yet another bright start when Paul Gallagher’s curling free kick flew into the top corner after Martyn Waghorn was brought down on the edge of the area.
The home side were then dominant for the next twenty minutes, but created few clear cut chances other than Andy King heading wide of Steve Simonsen in the Sheffield United goal.
Shortly afterwards, the Foxes were punished for their inability to turn possession into goals when, just before the half hour mark, Sheffield United caught Leicester on the counter attack through Andy Reid, who was able to find Mark Yeates in plenty of time and space to curl the ball past the helpless Chris Weale.
And with five minutes before half-time, Yeates put the visitors ahead with a stunning free kick after he was brought down by Curtis Davies outside the box.
The second half saw Steve Howard and Lloyd Dyer replace Martyn Waghorn and home debutant Darius Vassell; however, chances were few and far between for the home side, who looked somewhat deflated.
Paul Gallagher came close with another free kick, but Steve Simonsen was equal to it, just managing to tip the ball round the post for a corner.
With ten minutes remaining, Lloyd Dyer made a mazy run into the penalty area resulting in the ball falling at the feet of Steve Howard, whose shot from eighteen yards through a crowd of players was easily saved by Simonsen.
The defining point of the match came at the death when hero-turned-villain Mark Yeates handled the ball in the Blades’ penalty area in the second minute of stoppage time.
Steve Howard stepped up to blast the ball into the bottom corner from twelve yards for his fourth goal of the season, much to the jubilation – and relief – of the home fans.
In the final few seconds of the match, Kyle Naughton lashed the ball across the face of the goal with substitute Matty Fryatt in the penalty area, but was unable to pick him out.
The points were shared on the night, but Sheffield United manager Gary Speed will be frustrated to have not held on to win the game.
Meanwhile, Sven-Goran Eriksson knows his team must be more clinical in this weekend’s huge match at home to Derby County to earn bragging rights in the East Midlands.
Man of the Match – Mark Yeates
The hosts had initially gone ahead through Paul Gallagher’s superb free kick from 20 yards, but Mark Yeates netted twice for the Blades before half-time to give the visitors a slender lead.
However, Yeates was involved in Leicester’s equaliser when he was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area, allowing Steve Howard to bring the Foxes back on level terms in the second minute of stoppage time.
The result meant that Leicester’s unbeaten run at the Walkers Stadium now stretches back to September 18th, but City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson will be happy to take a point knowing his side lacked the cutting edge demonstrated against Barnsley last weekend.
Leicester were rewarded for yet another bright start when Paul Gallagher’s curling free kick flew into the top corner after Martyn Waghorn was brought down on the edge of the area.
The home side were then dominant for the next twenty minutes, but created few clear cut chances other than Andy King heading wide of Steve Simonsen in the Sheffield United goal.
Shortly afterwards, the Foxes were punished for their inability to turn possession into goals when, just before the half hour mark, Sheffield United caught Leicester on the counter attack through Andy Reid, who was able to find Mark Yeates in plenty of time and space to curl the ball past the helpless Chris Weale.
And with five minutes before half-time, Yeates put the visitors ahead with a stunning free kick after he was brought down by Curtis Davies outside the box.
The second half saw Steve Howard and Lloyd Dyer replace Martyn Waghorn and home debutant Darius Vassell; however, chances were few and far between for the home side, who looked somewhat deflated.
Paul Gallagher came close with another free kick, but Steve Simonsen was equal to it, just managing to tip the ball round the post for a corner.
With ten minutes remaining, Lloyd Dyer made a mazy run into the penalty area resulting in the ball falling at the feet of Steve Howard, whose shot from eighteen yards through a crowd of players was easily saved by Simonsen.
The defining point of the match came at the death when hero-turned-villain Mark Yeates handled the ball in the Blades’ penalty area in the second minute of stoppage time.
Steve Howard stepped up to blast the ball into the bottom corner from twelve yards for his fourth goal of the season, much to the jubilation – and relief – of the home fans.
In the final few seconds of the match, Kyle Naughton lashed the ball across the face of the goal with substitute Matty Fryatt in the penalty area, but was unable to pick him out.
The points were shared on the night, but Sheffield United manager Gary Speed will be frustrated to have not held on to win the game.
Meanwhile, Sven-Goran Eriksson knows his team must be more clinical in this weekend’s huge match at home to Derby County to earn bragging rights in the East Midlands.
Man of the Match – Mark Yeates
Friday 5 November 2010
Preview: Barnsley v Leicester City - 6th November 2010
Teams:
Barnsley v Leicester City
Location:
Oakwell, Barnsley.
Current league position:
Barnsley - 17th
Leicester - 19th
Last meeting:
Barnsley 1 – 0 Leicester – 26th January, 2010
League form (last five games):
Barnsley – D L L W L (4 points)
Leicester – W L W D W (10 points)
Top goal scorers:
Barnsley – Adam Hammill (5)
Leicester – Andy King (5)
Match facts:
Barnsley have been strong at home this season, picking up fourteen points from a possible 21.
Leicester City have the worst defensive record in the Championship away from home so far this season, and are yet to keep a clean sheet away from the Walkers Stadium.
The Foxes have won seven of their last eight games against Barnsley.
Key battles:
Adam Hammill v Kyle Naughton/Greg Cunningham
Hammill is an attacking threat all over the pitch for the Tykes, although he likes to hit the flanks whenever possible. This will provide interesting match-ups for loanees Greg Cunningham and Kyle Naughton, who have looked promising for the Foxes so far.
Luke Potter v Lloyd Dyer
An injury to Matt Hill means that Luke Potter may be forced to step in at left back. Dyer loves to run at defenders, and Potter may struggle to contain him in the final third of the pitch. Against speedy full-backs who like to push forward, Barnsley’s defence will need to be on red alert all afternoon.
Thoughts:
Whilst their league position suggests otherwise, Leicester are on a good run of league form since the appointment of Sven Goran-Eriksson. Although away from home, they now play a Barnsley side who struggle to capitalise on slender leads in games. Manager Mark Robins will be hoping that they have enough speed going forward to trouble a generally leaky Foxes defence, now boosted with the return of Curtis Davies who suffered a hamstring injury two weeks ago against Swansea.
The first goal may still prove to be crucial, but with Leicester’s depth in attacking players – including Darius Vassell who is now eligible to play in tomorrow’s match following international clearance problems – they should enough options to get a win.
Prediction:
Barnsley 1 – 2 Leicester
Barnsley v Leicester City
Location:
Oakwell, Barnsley.
Current league position:
Barnsley - 17th
Leicester - 19th
Last meeting:
Barnsley 1 – 0 Leicester – 26th January, 2010
League form (last five games):
Barnsley – D L L W L (4 points)
Leicester – W L W D W (10 points)
Top goal scorers:
Barnsley – Adam Hammill (5)
Leicester – Andy King (5)
Match facts:
Barnsley have been strong at home this season, picking up fourteen points from a possible 21.
Leicester City have the worst defensive record in the Championship away from home so far this season, and are yet to keep a clean sheet away from the Walkers Stadium.
The Foxes have won seven of their last eight games against Barnsley.
Key battles:
Adam Hammill v Kyle Naughton/Greg Cunningham
Hammill is an attacking threat all over the pitch for the Tykes, although he likes to hit the flanks whenever possible. This will provide interesting match-ups for loanees Greg Cunningham and Kyle Naughton, who have looked promising for the Foxes so far.
Luke Potter v Lloyd Dyer
An injury to Matt Hill means that Luke Potter may be forced to step in at left back. Dyer loves to run at defenders, and Potter may struggle to contain him in the final third of the pitch. Against speedy full-backs who like to push forward, Barnsley’s defence will need to be on red alert all afternoon.
Thoughts:
Whilst their league position suggests otherwise, Leicester are on a good run of league form since the appointment of Sven Goran-Eriksson. Although away from home, they now play a Barnsley side who struggle to capitalise on slender leads in games. Manager Mark Robins will be hoping that they have enough speed going forward to trouble a generally leaky Foxes defence, now boosted with the return of Curtis Davies who suffered a hamstring injury two weeks ago against Swansea.
The first goal may still prove to be crucial, but with Leicester’s depth in attacking players – including Darius Vassell who is now eligible to play in tomorrow’s match following international clearance problems – they should enough options to get a win.
Prediction:
Barnsley 1 – 2 Leicester
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