Leicester City continued their push for the playoffs with a hard-earned 4-2 victory over ten-man Millwall in an exciting encounter this afternoon at the Walkers Stadium.
Lloyd Dyer scored after nine minutes after Steve Morison had missed an early penalty for the visitors, but James Henry leveled moments later for the Lions.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni restored Leicester’s advantage before Sol Bamba made it 3-1 ten minutes before half-time.
Jack Smith’s penalty handed Kenny Jackett’s men a lifeline but Millwall were reduced to ten men after Jens Berthel Askou was dismissed for a dangerous challenge.
A second goal from Bamba secured the three points for the Foxes, ending Millwall’s nine game unbeaten streak in the process.
The win pushed Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men up to tenth in the Championship and continued Leicester’s unbeaten home league record since the former England manager took charge.
Millwall had a glorious opportunity to take the lead in the second minute when on-loan Ben Mee mistimed his challenge on Theo Robinson in the penalty area.
However, Steve Morison’s spot kick was high and wide, giving Leicester a huge let-off.
The visitors were made to pay for the earlier miss when Lloyd Dyer – playing in his 100th match for the Foxes - latched on to Andy King’s pinpoint pass to slot the ball past keeper David Forde.
Leicester’s lead was fleeting, however, as James Henry drew level for the visitors just a minute later with a powerful curling strike from 25 yards out.
The end-to-end nature of the early stages of the game proved to be indicative for the full 90 minutes, as both teams continued to attack – Steve Morrison constantly looking dangerous for the visitors, and the pace of Darius Vassell and Lloyd Dyer causing problems for the Millwall defence.
The Foxes were ahead again after 22 minutes when star signing Yakubu fought his way through the Millwall defence before turning and firing a low drive into the bottom corner.
It was the second goal in as many games for “the Yak” and demonstrated the power and finesse possessed by the Everton loanee.
The visitors were almost level again through captain Alan Dunne, however his powerful header from a corner was well-saved by Foxes keeper Chris Weale.
At the other end, Richie Wellens ran through the heart of the Millwall defence before squaring the ball to Lloyd Dyer, but his placed shot was saved by David Forde.
Leicester continued to exert pressure on Millwall and came close when Darius Vassell headed back Bruno Berner’s cross into the path of Lloyd Dyer, but the winger’s volley flew inches wide of the post.
The home side were rewarded for their efforts two minutes later as Richie Wellens’ clever free kick was fired across the face of the goal by Yakubu, where Sol Bamba was on hand to turn the ball in and make it 3-1 to the Foxes.
The Ivorian proved to be a huge threat from set piece plays as he netted his second goal in as many home games since his move from Hibernian to the Walkers Stadium.
Despite being two goals down at the break, Millwall came out of the blocks quickly in the second half with Steve Morison looking threatening with a dangerous ball into the six yard box – but teammate James Henry was unable to connect.
Chris Hackett then fired two low crosses in succession into the Leicester penalty area, but with no end product, the visitors remained frustrated.
Leicester were dramatically denied a penalty after 65 minutes when Darius Vassell was felled by David Forde in the penalty area after a Yakubu-led counter attack – and when referee Eddie Ilderton allowed the advantage, Lloyd Dyer’s follow up shot appeared to be blocked by a hand.
This proved to be a turning point in the match as Ben Mee was adjudged to have brought down Chris Hackett moments later, controversially conceding his second penalty of the match.
Jack Smith converted from the spot to give Kenny Jackett’s men a lifeline with just over twenty minutes remaining.
Soon after the restart, Millwall were reduced to ten men when debutant Jens Berthel Askou was sent off for a clumsy two-footed challenge on Yakubu.
From the ensuing free kick, Richie Wellens again found Sol Bamba in the penalty area, who was on hand to bundle home his second – and Leicester’s fourth – goal of the game and restore the two goal advantage.
Leicester fans will feel as if justice had been done after not having been awarded the earlier spot kick.
Leicester were unlucky not to have added a fifth when Richie Wellens drilled a shot just over the bar after Yakubu’s effort had initially been turned away for a corner.
Millwall continued to fight back and looked to be in a position to claw a goal back, but Ben Mee’s crunching last ditch challenge on Steve Morrison prevented the visitors mounting a comeback.
It was a crucial tackle for Mee who, in all honesty, struggled to contain Morrison in his first 90 minutes for the Foxes, despite showing moments of potential.
The final whistle meant that Leicester extended their fine home record under Sven-Goran Eriksson, their eighth home win of the season being enough to draw the Foxes level with Millwall in the Championship and firmly in contention for a playoff push.
Man of the Match – Richie Wellens
No comments:
Post a Comment