Foxes fight back to take three points
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| Leicester are undefeated at the King Power Stadium in Championship games this season |
Second-half goals from David Nugent and Jamie Vardy gave
Leicester City all three points after falling behind at home to Burnley last night.
The visitors took the lead against the run of play through Dean
Marney after just ten minutes, but David Nugent equalised for the Foxes less
than two minutes after the restart.
Jamie Vardy put the home side ahead after his shot took a
wicked deflection to deceive Burnley goalkeeper Lee Grant just before the hour
mark, which turned out to be the winning goal on the night.
It was a third consecutive Championship home win for Nigel
Pearson’s men, who have taken all of their league points at the King Power
Stadium so far this season, and was a good response to a disappointing defeat
against Wolves on Sunday.
The first-half was one of very little action, although Leicester
looked the more positive side as Ben Marshall and Anthony Knockaert both tested
Lee Grant in the Burnley goal with early strikes.
But it was the hosts who were outfoxed out after just ten
minutes when Martin Paterson picked out Dean Marney on the right-hand side of
the Leicester penalty area with a low pass, and the midfielder smashed the ball
past Kasper Schmeichel at the near post to put Burnley ahead.
It was a well-created goal by Eddie Howe’s side, although
Sean St. Ledger appeared to give Paterson far too much space on the flank to
pick out his teammate.
Leicester seemed sluggish for the remainder of the half, the
only notable chance coming five minutes before the internal when David Nugent’s
effort from distance struck the top of the crossbar.
As expected, the hosts were much improved in the second-half
and they were soon level when Burnley failed to deal with the presence of Jamie
Vardy on the edge of the box – and when the ball somehow fell to David Nugent
inside the area, his scuffed volley into the ground from ten yards just crept
into the bottom corner.
It was hardly a glamorous goal for Nugent’s first of the
season, but one that Leicester will certainly have taken after a lacklustre
opening 45 minutes.
The equaliser sparked life into the hosts, as Ben Marshall
and Jamie Vardy then linked up nicely for the former Fleetwood Town striker to
test Lee Grant from close range, but the goalkeeper was equal to it and the
chance went begging.
Leicester were ahead just before the hour mark when Anthony
Knockaert’s quick feet allowed him to find Vardy on the right-side of the
penalty area, and his shot took a huge deflection off Burnley defender Jason
Shackell, resulting in the ball flying over the goalkeeper and into the net.
It was another ugly goal, but just the slice of fortune
Leicester needed to get ahead in the match – and in truth, was a lead they just
deserved after a positive start to the second-half.
Ben Marshall nearly doubled Leicester’s lead with a free-kick
on the edge of the area that sailed just over the crossbar, before Cameron
Stewart’s shot across goal at the other end kept the Leicester defence alert.
With just under twenty minutes remaining, David Nugent found
Danny Drinkwater on the heels of the last defender, and the former Manchester
United midfielder did exceptionally well to hold the ball up and test Lee
Grant, but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper and the chance came to
nothing in the end.
Burnley substitute Sam Vokes struck the outside of the post
in the final ten minutes of the game as the visitors pushed for an equalising
goal, while at the other end, Anthony Knockaert almost put Leicester out of
sight with a fierce strike which was turned away by Lee Grant.
Leicester squandered two glorious counter-attacks to put the
game to bed with Lloyd Dyer, Paul Konchesky, and substitute Martyn Waghorn all
pushing forward in numbers, but nevertheless, the home side were able to see
out the remaining minutes and claim an important three points.
Leicester still boast a 100 per cent at home in the
Championship this season, a record Nigel Pearson will be looking to continue
this Sunday when his former club Hull City come to town.
Man of the Match –
Anthony Knockaert
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