Darius Vassell’s goal just before half-time was enough to give Sven-Goran Eriksson his second win in 2011 as his Leicester side beat promotion-challenging Swansea.
The Foxes had initially gone ahead after six minutes through Bruno Berner’s close range header, but Scott Sinclair levelled for Swansea shortly afterwards with a stunning 25 yard strike.
Darius Vassell was on hand to poke the ball home from two yards after Michael Morrison’s header from a corner had initially been parried by Swans’ keeper Dorus De Vries.
Vassell’s goal was his second in as many matches and was enough to bring the Foxes within four points of the playoff places, while Brendan Rodgers’ side slipped out of the automatic promotion places.
Eriksson will have been delighted to see his side match up to such a high-flying side, and play with the necessary aggression and determination to see out the victory.
Paul Gallagher came close for the Foxes after five minutes when his volley from distance sailed just wide of Dorus De Vries’ goalpost.
But the Foxes were ahead moments later through fullback Bruno Berner – recalled to the side due to Greg Cunningham suffering a broken leg against Hull City on New Years Day – who managed to head the ball home from close range after Paul Gallagher’s corner kick caused initial confusion amongst the Swansea defence.
Despite going ahead early on, the goal had perhaps come against the run of play, and Swansea continued to appear extremely comfortable on the ball, maintaining possession across the five-man midfield and spreading play wide out on both flanks.
The visitors were rewarded for their intricate play just six minutes after conceding as winger Scott Sinclair played a clever one-two before smashing the ball past Foxes’ keeper Chris Weale from 25 yards.
With both sides level, there were few clear cut chances for the remainder of the half, with Darius Vassell firing well wide from a difficult angle.
Leicester then had a penalty claim turned down by referee Darren Deadman when Richie Wellens hit the deck after he his shirt seemed to be pulled by Swansea defender Angel Rangel in the area.
Both defences continued to cancel each other out – Bruno Berner doing an especially good job of thwarting the attacking play of David Cotterill - until Wellens’ through ball behind the Swansea backline put Darius Vassell in on goal, but De Vries bravely came rushing out to deny the former England and Manchester City man.
Leicester were ahead two minutes later, however – again from a corner kick – when Michael Morrison’s header was parried by De Vries into the path of Vassell, who was on hand to turn the ball and put the Foxes ahead on 43 minutes.
It was Vassell’s second goal in three days and was a clear demonstration that the veteran striker still possesses the sharpness required to find the net.
Swansea will have been disappointed to be behind at half-time having arguably been the better of the two sides in the opening 45 minutes; however, Leicester could have gone even further ahead shortly after the break when Paul Gallagher picked out Andy King in the penalty area with a pinpoint free kick, but the Welsh international headed the ball inches wide of the mark.
As Foxes continued to press, Vassell nearly added his second goal of the game when he again found himself one on one with De Vries, but the Swansea keeper pulled off a fantastic save to keep his side in the match.
Leicester were almost made to pay when Scott Sinclair broke free behind the Leicester defence, but his shot failed to hit the target after pushing the ball past Chris Weale.
As time ran out, Swansea continued in search of an equaliser, but when Ashley Williams’ audacious shot flew over the bar Leicester were able to hold on until the final whistle and pick up a hard earned three points.
The result pushes Leicester up to twelfth in the Championship, while Swansea drop to third on goal difference.
Man of the Match – Bruno Berner
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