Leicester 1 Crystal Palace 2 - 27 October 2012

Eagles end Foxes' winning streak

Leicester fell to second in the Championship following defeat to Crystal Palace

Leicester City were handed their first league home defeat of the season this afternoon at the hands of managerless Crystal Palace.

Damien Delaney put the Eagles in front midway through the first-half after Kasper Schmeichel had spilled a high ball in the penalty area, before Peter Ramage doubled the visitors’ lead five minutes later with a header from a corner.

Andy King pulled a goal back in second-half stoppage time, but it was not enough to prevent Leicester’s 100 per cent home record coming to an end.

The loss sees Nigel Pearson’s side slip to second in the Championship, following Cardiff City’s 4-0 victory over Burnley.

Crystal Palace looked the more organised side, especially in midfield, and could have gone ahead in the first minute when Dean Murray found space at the back post, but the striker dragged his shot across goal.

At the other end, Lloyd Dyer picked out Jamie Vardy down the left-hand side with a clever ball over the top, and while the former Fleetwood Town striker did well to pull the ball back into the penalty area, David Nugent’s shot was directly into the path of Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

Andy King and Anthony Knockaert then had attempts which failed to trouble Speroni, while Wilfried Zaha’s speed and ability started to cause problems for the Leicester backline.

Palace were ahead half-way through the first period when Mile Jedinak’s corner-kick was spilled by Kasper Schmeichel, and although it looked like the Dane may have been impeded when collecting the ball, he could do nothing about Damien Delany’s powerful finish from ten yards.

The visitors looked the better side after the goal, and almost doubled their advantage when Zaha’s strike from 25 yards hit the outside netting of the Leicester goal.

The Foxes were 2-0 down soon afterwards when Peter Ramage headed past Schmeichel from Yannick Bolasie’s corner.

The goal capped a six-minute period which would have left Nigel Pearson fuming on the touchline, especially with the way both goals were conceded from set pieces.

Leicester nearly pulled a goal back five minutes before half-time, but David Nugent’s close-range effort was somehow cleared off the line by the Crystal Palace defence.

Andy King then forced a brilliant save from Julian Speroni with a fine curling strike from just inside the penalty area, which might have given the Foxes a route back into the game before the break.

Leicester did improve in the second-half and should have gone ahead before the hour mark when Wes Morgan’s header across goal picked out Jamie Vardy, but his effort failed to test Speroni as it sailed over the crossbar. 

As Leicester pushed forward in numbers, they were left vulnerable in defence and could have fallen further behind if it wasn’t for a strong last-ditch challenge by Morgan on Wilfried Zaha.

The Foxes were denied a possible penalty when David Nugent’s header was cleared off the line by Owen Garvan, and although the Leicester players shouted for handball, no spot kick was awarded and Palace were able to clear their lines.

Leicester did got on the score sheet in second-half stoppage time when Andy King headed past Speroni from Paul Konchesky’s cross, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation as the Foxes fell to their first Championship home defeat of the season.

Man of the Match – Wilfried Zaha  

Leicester City 1 Brighton 0 - 23 October 2012

Sixth win in six leaves Foxes top of the league

Leicester City are now undefeated in seven league games

Leicester City maintained their position at the top of the Championship with a narrow 1-0 win over Brighton at the King Power Stadium.

In front of a home crowd of over 25,000, Andy King scored the only goal of the game ten minutes into the first-half after his initial shot was blocked inside the penalty area by Gordon Greer.

The visitors were awarded a second-half penalty when Zak Whitbread was adjudged to have brought down Will Buckley inside the area, but Ashley Barnes’ spot kick was well-saved by Foxes’ goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Barnes might have rescued a point for Brighton in stoppage time, but was unable to hit the target from the edge of the penalty area with plenty of time to settle his position before shooting.

It was Leicester’s sixth consecutive league win at the King Power Stadium, and seventh game unbeaten – an excellent run of form which has given the Foxes top spot in the Championship with one-quarter of the season played.

Nigel Pearson named an unchanged starting eleven from Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Birmingham, and although Leicester began the first-half more tentatively than usual, they were ahead after just ten minutes after some excellent work by David Nugent on the left wing allowed him to break into the Brighton area and lay the ball off to Andy King, and although the midfielder’s shot was initially blocked, he made no mistake in finding the back of the net with the follow-up.

The early advantage seemed to trouble Brighton - especially defensively, as Gus Poyet’s side began misplacing passes under continual pressure from Leicester’s forward players.

Ritchie De Laet then broke into the Brighton penalty area and played a clever ball across goal to Andy King, but the Welshman was unable to add to his earlier goal, seeing his effort go way over the bar.

At the other end, Liam Bridcutt kept Kasper Schmeichel on his toes with a looping free-kick to the back post, forcing the Danish shot-stopper to tip the ball wide for a corner.

The ever-dangerous Anthony Knockaert then tested Tomasz Kuszczak with a shot from 20 yards, but the former Manchester United goalkeeper was equal to it.

Brighton began to increase tempo towards the end of the half, and could have been level when Craig Mackail-Smith latched on to Ritchie De Laet’s poor backpass, but Kasper Schmeichel was alert to make an important stop.

Mackail-Smith continued to try and cause the Foxes’ backline problems after the break with his pace and persistence, but in actual fact, Foxes captain Wes Morgan and Zak Whitbread were able to marshal the threat of Mackail-Smith for the majority of the game.

David Nugent then stung the palms of Tomasz Kuszczak with a powerful curling strike from the edge of the penalty area, but Brighton were given a glorious opportunity to draw level moments later when Zak Whitbread was adjudged to have upended Will Buckley inside the Leicester penalty area.

Ashley Barnes stepped up to take the spot-kick, but could not beat Kasper Schmeichel who guessed correctly – and although the rebound fell into the path of Barnes, the follow-up shot flew high over the crossbar, much to the relief of the Leicester fans.

Brighton seemed to lose momentum after the missed penalty, and Leicester could have doubled their advantage when Martyn Waghorn picked out Lloyd Dyer with a good cross into the Brighton eighteen-yard box, but the connecting header sailed wide of the left-hand post.

Paul Konchesky then had a shot beaten away by Tomasz Kuszczak, before substitute Jamie Vardy headed wide from inside the penalty area as the Foxes looked to tighten their grip on their opponents.

Andy King fired a shot across goal after Anthony Knockaert had done well to pick him out from the right-hand side, but dragged the ball inches wide of the Brighton goal.

For all of Leicester’s chances to put the game to bed, Ashley Barnes had a late chance to salvage a point for the visitors, but was unable to hit the target from the edge of the area despite having time and space to compose himself.

The final whistle blew, giving Leicester a narrow but deserved victory – one that keeps them top of the Championship for at least another few days.

Man of the Match – Wes Morgan

Leicester City 2 Peterborough United 0 - 18th August 2012

Morgan and King on target as Foxes tame Peterborough

Two second-half goals gave Leicester City a deserved win to kick-off their Championship campaign in style at home to East Midlands-rivals Peterborough.

Nearly 24,000 fans were on hand to watch Leicester's season opener against Peterborough this afternoon 

Wes Morgan put the Foxes ahead after the break with a powerful header from Ben Marshall's corner kick, before Andy King came off the bench to double the lead with a fine strike with fifteen minutes remaining.

Peterborough's best chances came late on in the match through substitute Emile Sinclair, but the former Macclesfield forward was less than clinical when presented with the opportunity to get his team back into the match.

Leicester are likely to face tougher tests this season, but it was certainly a good benchmark for Nigel Pearson's side who are, once again, heavily tipped by bookmakers to win promotion to the Premier League after an absence of eight seasons from the top flight.

Nigel Pearson named an unchanged starting eleven from the side that won 4-0 at Torquay United in the first round of the Capital One Cup in midweek – but it was Peterborough who had the first chance of the match when Lee Tomlin's strike from distance was tipped round the post by Kasper Schmeichel.

Leicester looked sharp in the early exchanges; most notably Jermaine Beckford who willingly chased down every loose ball and seemed determined to menace Peterborough's defence, while Ben Marshall's set pieces continued to trouble the visiting side.

Ritchie De Laet headed just wide from a Ben Marshall free-kick, before new signing Jamie Vardy scuffed a volley after Jermaine Beckford had cleverly nodded the ball into his path.

Leicester looked strong at the back, too, as new captain Wes Morgan accompanied by youngster Liam Moore at centre-back, who performed admirably in his first senior home game for the club.

Peterborough rarely threatened in the first-half, and could have fallen behind when Jamie Vardy's low pass towards Jermaine Beckford almost resulted in an own goal when Posh defender Gabriel Zakuani almost put the ball into his own net.

Jermaine Beckford headed centimetres wide five minutes before half-time, before Lloyd Dyer's trickery resulted in a fine cross into the box, but there was no blue shirt on hand to tuck the ball away.

After the break, Kasper Schmeichel showed good awareness to parry Paul Taylor's powerful strike, but the hosts were ahead just minutes later when Ben Marshall's corner was met with a strong header from Wes Morgan which flew off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

It was Morgan's first goal as a Leicester City player and a great way to kick-off his captaincy for the Foxes, although Darren Ferguson may argue that Gabriel Zakuani was fouled in build-up.

Leicester began to play somewhat more confidently after going a goal ahead, and both Jamie Vardy and Lloyd Dyer came close to doubling the Foxes' advantage just moments after the goal.

At the other end, Peterborough substitute Emile Sinclair inexplicably fired over the bar after good work on the right-hand side of the pitch when it seemed easier to hit the target.

Peterborough were left to rue that missed opportunity as Leicester broke through the middle minutes later, and when Jamie Vardy picked out substitute Andy King on the edge of the penalty area, the Welsh international fired home superbly from 20 yards to put the Foxes 2-0 ahead and secure the three points.

It was a wonderful finish from the midfielder, who will be hoping for more appearances in the starting eleven if he continues to make an impact when given the opportunity to do so.

Leicester, who were, by now, coasting, could have seen their two-goal advantage dissipate when Emile Sinclair again found his way into the opposing penalty area, but his tame effort was easily collected by Kasper Schmeichel.

With just less than ten minutes to go, Sinclair managed to beat Wes Morgan to the ball and tried to curl a shot into the far corner, but again, the Danish shot stopper would not be beaten.

The second-half fizzled out after four minutes of stoppage time, and the final whistle gave Leicester all three points to get the season off to the best start possible at the King Power Stadium.

Man of the Match – Wes Morgan

Leicester City 4 Ipswich Town 2 - 7th May 2011

Leicester City ended their season on a high note by beating a spirited Ipswich Town side in an entertaining match at the Walkers Stadium this afternoon.

Goals from Andy King, Yakubu and Yuki Abe had given the Foxes a comfortable advantage at the break, but Grant Leadbitter and Connor Wickham hit back for the visitors within the space of two second-half minutes.

Diomansy Kamara kept his nerve to convert from close range to thwart any further comeback and give Leicester their thirteenth home win of the season.

It was a fine display of football by both sides and Sven-Goran Eriksson will have been pleased that his side gave a good home performance despite falling short of the playoffs.

It was also the third game in their last four at the Walkers Stadium in which Leicester had scored four goals - and also meant that they ended the Championship campaign as the league’s highest goal scorers at home.

Ipswich should have taken the lead after just three minutes when a slip by Miguel Vitor gifted David Norris a glorious opportunity but the Ipswich skipper fired wide of the mark from twelve yards.

Leicester responded positively and came close themselves when recently-named player of the season Richie Wellens made a decent break from midfield before finding Yakubu on the edge of the area, but the Nigerian’s fierce strike flew just over the crossbar.

Yuki Abe was then on hand to make a goal line clearance from a corner kick before Chris Weale made a great double save from Connor Wickham’s long range strike and Jason Scotland’s follow up effort.

Ipswich would soon be made to pay for their missed chances as Leicester took the lead through Andy King who was picked out at the back post by Paul Gallagher’s brilliant cross with the Welshman on hand to head home his sixteenth goal of the season.

The goal came at a cost, however, as Darius Vassell picked up an injury in the process and was replaced by Diomansy Kamara – just before Miguel Vitor limped off for the home side and was replaced with fan-favourite Alexsandar Tunchev.

Tunchev was soon in the thick of the action in front of goal, turning Paul Gallagher’s free-kick goal bound and forcing former Leicester goalkeeper Marton Fulop into an acrobatic save.

Leicester did double their advantage three minutes before half-time when Andy King’s effort struck the woodwork but fell directly into the path of Yakubu who finished neatly to score his fourth goal in three games.

It was an instinctive finish from the Everton loanee who has been linked with a permanent move to the Walkers Stadium in the summer.

Jason Scotland then squandered another fine opportunity to grab a goal back for the Tractor Boys but his close range effort was again well saved by Chris Weale.

Leicester capitalised on another missed chance by the visitors in first-half stoppage time when Andy King’s pinpoint pass found Yuki Abe in acres of space who fired past Marton Fulop from eighteen yards for his first goal for the club.

It was a proud moment for the Japanese international and a well-deserved goal after a fine debut season for the Foxes.

Ipswich looked dead and buried at the break but came out firing on all cylinders in the second half with Connor Wickham firing just wide of the post.

The visitors were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when an Ipswich Town corner kick was cleared but adjudged to have struck the arm of Jeffrey Bruma, with Grant Leadbitter converting from the spot to give Paul Jewell’s men a lifeline.

Patrick Van Aanholt’s terrible back pass moments later then allowed Connor Wickham through on goal who fired past Chris Weale to make it 3-2.

It was a good finish by the England under-21 international and capped an all-round impressive display by the youngster.

Leicester soon restored their two-goal cushion after 72 minutes however through some excellent build-up play involving Yakubu and Patrick Van Aanholt on the left side of midfield which allowed the Dutchman to deliver a fine low ball into the penalty area, and although Andy King’s initial effort was blocked, Diomansy Kamara was on hand to fire home from close range and put the game beyond Ipswich.

It was a goal that also capped a fine performance by the Fulham loanee who appeared keen to impress the Leicester coaching staff, after also being linked with a full-time move to the East Midland in the summer.

The game began to die down after an end-to-end few minutes – although not before a tussle between Kamara and Grant Leadbitter following a foul on Yakubu that resulted in both players being cautioned.

Connor Wickham came close for the visitors in stoppage time after a mazy run but his shot flew wide of the near post.

The full-time whistle was followed by a lap of the pitch by both Leicester City players and staff, and Foxes fans left the Walkers Stadium mostly content after an entertaining season with plenty to look forward to over the summer.

Man of the Match – Andy King

Leicester City 4 Barnsley 1 - 5th February 2011

Andy King scored a goal in each half as Leicester extended their unbeaten run to six games after thrashing Barnsley 4-1 at the Walkers Stadium.

Paul Gallagher opened the scoring after fifteen minutes with a fine shot from distance before Andy King’s clever chip over Tykes’ keeper Luke Steele doubled Leicester’s advantage.

Jacob Mellis pulled a goal back for Barnsley on the stroke of half-time, but King restored the Foxes’ two goal advantage just before the hour mark.

Kyle Naughton wrapped up a resounding victory with a 30 yard thunderbolt later on as Leicester continued their climb up the Championship table.

The win extended Leicester’s unbeaten home record in the Championship since the arrival of Sven-Goran Eriksson - celebrating his birthday today - back in October and kept their playoff push very much alive.

The match saw the return of Paul Gallagher to the starting line-up after picking up an injury in Leicester’s Carling Cup replay against Manchester City last month.

It only took fifteen minutes for the striker to make an impact on the game when his powerful shot from 25 yards flew into the top corner – despite goalkeeper Luke Steele getting a hand to the ball.

The goal sprung the game into life following a lacklustre opening quarter of an hour as Danny Haynes had a shot charged down by loan defender Ben Mee moments after.

At the other end, Richie Wellens played a nice one-two pass with Darius Vassell before the midfielder’s shot was well blocked by the Tykes’ backline.

Luke Steele then did well to prevent a second Leicester goal after Yakubu was played in behind the defence – the goalkeeper bravely diving out to collect the ball.

Vassell was then cynically fouled by Diego Arismendi after the former England international went on a storming run on goal before Patrick Van Aanholt’s subsequent free kick rattled the crossbar.

Just after the hour mark, Ben Mee made a crucial clearing header after Barnsley’s Matt Hill played a tempting ball into the Foxes’ penalty area.

Bobby Hassell’s shot from distance then had Chris Weale at full stretch in the Leicester goal after the Foxes failed to close down.

Barnsley maintained good possession towards the end of the first half, but found themselves 2-0 down when Andy King cleverly chipped the ball over Luke Steele from twelve yards after his initial shot was blocked.

It was the Welshman’s twelfth goal of the campaign and demonstrated the finesse possessed by the Leicester academy product.

Moments later, Frank Nouble – on loan from West Ham – had a goal disallowed for offside for Barnsley with Leicester defence temporarily switched off.

But Barnsley were handed a lifeline when Jacob Mellis pulled a goal back from just inside the penalty area in first-half injury time after the Foxes struggled to deal with a loose ball.

Nouble then came close to equalising before the break after he took the ball round Chris Weale, but Kyle Naughton was on hand to clear the ball off the line to prevent a certain goal.

After the break, Leicester continued to threaten from distance as Paul Gallagher and Richie Wellens both came close with long range shots.

But it was Barnsley who enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession, testing the Foxes in midfield and threatening from both flanks.

Andy King then caught the Tykes out at the back just before the hour mark when he picked up on a poor pass and carried the ball 30 yards before curling a smart finish into the bottom corner for his second – and Leicester’s third - goal of the game.

Leicester continued to pepper the Barnsley goal through Paul Gallagher before some tidy passing between Yakubu and substitute Lloyd Dyer set Richie Wellens up – but his shot flew straight into the path of Luke Steele.

Leicester looked comfortable for the most part having restored their two goal cushion although Mark Robins’ side continued to attack through Danny Haynes who nearly latched onto a long ball – but Chris Weale was on hand to thwart the former Bristol City man.

With less than ten minutes remaining, Lloyd Dyer played a scintillating through ball to Yakubu; however the Everton loanee was unable to get the ball out from under his feet which allowed Luke Steele to make another save for Barnsley.

Substitute Matt Oakley then had a ferocious shot tipped away by Steele, but the goalkeeper could do nothing about Leicester’s fourth goal; a stunning 30 yard strike from Kyle Naughton which flew into the top corner.

It was the full-back’s third goal of the season and was a clear example of the ability possessed by the on-loan Tottenham youngster.

The final whilst indicated another home win for Leicester who climbed to eighth in the Championship – just three points outside the playoffs as Sven’s men continued their fine form at the Walkers Stadium.

Man of the Match – Andy King

Leicester City 2 - 2 Manchester City - 9th January 2011

Leicester City earned a thoroughly-deserved replay at Eastlands after holding Premier League giants Manchester City to a 2-2 draw.

Sol Bamba put the Foxes ahead in the first minute, but James Milner’s low drive brought the visitors level midway through the first half.

Carlos Tevez poked the ball home from close range just before half-time to put Manchester City in front, but Andy King’s equaliser just after the hour mark ensured Leicester were guaranteed a rematch.

Leicester showed great determination and effort against Roberto Mancini’s side and at times had their Premier League counterparts on the back foot.

The game was certainly of significance to Foxes manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who formerly managed Manchester City during the 2007-2008 season before the Swede parted ways with the club after only one year.

Despite their high league position, Mancini fielded a strong team against the Foxes which included the likes of Carlos Tevez, Adam Johnson and James Milner.

But it was the home side who took the lead inside the first minute when debutant centre back Sol Bamba latched on to Jack Hobbs’ flick on from a Paul Gallagher corner to stab the ball away with his first touch in English football.

The goal emphasised how much of a dominating presence the former Hibernian defender would prove to be from set pieces, as he terrorised a Manchester City back line that failed to cope with him.

The visitors, although shocked by the early goal, responded well with good periods of possession which the Foxes were happy to sit back and absorb during the opening fifteen minutes.

Manchester City did find their equaliser on 23 minutes after James Milner played a one-two pass with Carlos Tevez, the former Villa man easing through the Leicester defence before firing a low drive beyond Chris Weale.

The equaliser was arguably no more than the visitors deserved for their patience, but the hosts appeared unfazed as Sol Bamba continued to threaten again from set plays before Yuki Abe’s stunning 25 yard drive was well saved by Joe Hart.

Minutes later, Paul Gallagher – who continued to be a constant threat with corner kicks – picked out Bamba again in the penalty area but his powerful header was punched away by Hart.

Andy King had a great chance to restore Leicester’s lead shortly after when Richie Wellens played a wonderful through ball behind Manchester City’s backline, but the Welsh international’s chip fell directly into the hands of Joe Hart.

At the other end, Adam Johnson should have put the visitors ahead after being picked out with a low drive into the six yard box, but the England international missed the target from close range after pressure from Chris Weale.

The hosts were made to pay for their missed opportunities however when James Milner’s low ball picked out Carlos Tevez at the near post, who put the ball past Weale to give his side the upper hand at half-time.

The second half offered more of the same end-to-end action as Lloyd Dyer latched on to a long ball over the top of the defence, but fired high and wide as his off balance shot was quickly closed down.

Leicester continued to threaten with set plays as Jack Hobbs’ powerful header flew just over the bar from another Paul Gallagher corner kick as the Foxes prowled for an equaliser.

And they were level on 64 minutes when Joe Hart fumbled a seemingly harmless long ball from Paul Gallagher into the path of Andy King, who regained his composure to slot the ball into an empty net.

It was no more than Leicester deserved, having been the better side in the second half.

Manchester City appeared content with a replay when Mancini opted to replace the largely ineffective Jo with a more defensive option in Pablo Zabaleta, with substitute Nigel De Jong sitting just in front of the defence.

But Leicester maintained their ‘nothing to lose’ attitude and pressed on, with Sol Bamba once again threatening from a corner kick, his header being cleared off the line by James Milner after beating Joe Hart.

Then, against the run of play, the Manchester City had a glorious opportunity to restore their lead when Carlos Tevez found substitute Nigel De Jong free in the penalty area, but the Dutchman’s scuffed effort failed to trouble Chris Weale.

As the match drew to a close, Tevez again could have won it for the visitors, but Sol Bamba was on hand to block the former Manchester United man’s shot after Chris Weale had saved his initial effort.

The final whistle indicated the two teams would face off again at Eastlands in a replay, the winner of which will travel to Notts County – another of Eriksson’s former clubs – in the fourth round.

Man of the Match – Sol Bamba

Leicester City 2 - 2 Leeds United - 26th December 2010

Leicester City came from two goals down to rescue a point against high-flying Leeds United this afternoon at the Walkers Stadium.

Former Leicester man Max Gradel put the visitors ahead in the first half, while Robert Snodgrass doubled Leeds’ lead ten minutes after the break with an angled strike.

Paul Gallagher pulled a goal back from the penalty spot to give the Foxes hope after Leeds keeper Kasper Schmeichel brought down Darius Vassell, and Andy King’s thunderbolt from 25 yards ensured Sven-Goran Eriksson’s unbeaten home record in the league remained intact.

The result meant that Leeds slipped to third in the Championship after Cardiff’s 2-0 win over Coventry City, while Leicester remain in the bottom half of the table despite sitting just five points outside the playoffs.

The home side had the first chance of the match when Steve Howard’s snap shot from twenty yards out curled just past the Leeds goal.

But it was the away side who took the lead after nineteen minutes when Max Gradel capitalised on some sluggish Leicester defending – not helped by Kyle Naughton slipping in the penalty area at an unfortunate moment – to head the ball past Chris Kirkland from six yards out.

The first half contained few clear cut opportunities, although Leicester showed some promise on the half hour mark when Andy King’s clever cross was batted away by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, followed by a tight angled shot into the side netting by full back Greg Cunningham after a smart run into the penalty area.

Despite a deflected shot on target by Yuki Abe five minutes after the break, Leeds came out the stronger side in the second half and were soon rewarded for their superiority when Robert Snodgrass’s corner was headed back out to him, only for the Scotsman to blast the ball past Chris Kirkland from a tight angle and send the 3,000 plus visiting fans into delirium.

Gradel could have made it 3-0 moments later after cutting in behind the Leicester defence, but he could only find the side netting from an acute angle.

Leicester were handed a lifeline with just under twenty minutes remaining when Darius Vassell found himself one-on-one with Kasper Schmeichel, only for the former England international to be brought down in the penalty area.

Referee Tony Bates awarded the spot kick, and although there appeared to be little contact between the two during the incident, Schmeichel might consider himself fortunate to only receive a caution for the foul as Vassell appeared to be in on goal.

Paul Gallagher stepped up to blast the penalty down the middle of the goal for his fourth goal in as many games, and to give Leicester an opportunity to rescue something from the match.

The Foxes found themselves level just five minutes later when Andy King picked the ball up 25 yards out from goal and hit a wonderful strike past Schmeichel, which hit the underside of the bar on his way in.

It was the Welsh international’s ninth goal of the season, and was a clear exhibition of how dangerous Leicester can be when playing their best football.

From that point it seemed as if either side could go on to win the game, with Leicester looking sharp on the break and Leeds continuing to look dangerous in attack despite being rocked somewhat by the home side’s comeback.

With time running out, Chris Kirkland pulled off a magnificent save with both sides scrambling for the ball in the Leicester penalty area, and Darius Vassell was unfairly brought down by Paul Connolly after using his blistering pace to break through the Leeds midfield.

There was one last moment of controversy when substitute Roman Bednar appeared to be pulled down in the penalty area – but the official did not award Leicester a second penalty.

In the last minute of injury time, Neil Collins squandered a final chance for Leeds when his header from a corner went harmlessly wide.

The final whistle extended Leicester’s unbeaten home record in the Championship to eight games, while Simon Grayson’s men stayed firmly in the race for automatic promotion.

Man of the Match – Jack Hobbs

Leicester City 1 - 1 Hull City - 16th October 2010

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

Leicester City 2 - 1 Cardiff - 14th September 2010

Two second half goals from Andy King gave Paulo Sousa his first league win as Leicester City manager at the expense of high flying Cardiff.

The visitors took the lead in the first half when Lee Naylor’s bizarre cross-turned-shot deceived everyone - including Leicester goalkeeper Carl Ikeme who was caught off his line.

But the Foxes struck back through Andy King who made a late run into the penalty area to head home Richie Wellens’ cross.

King scored his second of the night seventeen minutes later with a superb curling strike, condemning Cardiff to their first loss of the season.

The win demonstrated that any bad memories from the end of last season when Cardiff dumped Leicester out of the play-offs on penalties had certainly been vanquished.

The match saw Martyn Waghorn’s return to the Walkers Stadium, who spent last season with Leicester on loan from Sunderland, scoring twelve goals in the process.

Cardiff – who were without the injured Michael Chopra, Craig Bellamy, Jay Bothroyd and Seyi Olofinjana – took the lead in after 26 minutes in the most bizarre circumstances.

Lee Naylor’s cross from over 40 yards out by the touchline managed to confuse everybody, including on loan goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, as it flew over his head and into the top corner.

It was very much the story of the season so far for the home side with the goal coming against the run of play, as it was Leicester that had started the stronger of the two teams.

Cardiff then took control of the match and created some good chances to double their lead, with Jason Koumas firing wide from a corner and Chris Burke hitting the target after some nice work from Peter Whittingham.

Leicester finished the first half enthusiastically and were unlucky not to draw level when Martyn Waghorn’s corner found Steve Howard in the six yard box, only to have his header scrambled away by the Cardiff defence.

The Foxes exploded out of the gates in the second half, forcing Cardiff to defend in numbers as Sousa’s preferred 4-3-3 formation began to make a game changing impact.

Six minutes into the second half, Leicester deservedly drew level after a pinpoint cross by Richie Wellens found Andy King who had made an untracked run into the penalty area and duly headed the ball past Bluebirds’ goalkeeper David Marshall.

After the equaliser, it was one way traffic for the majority of the second half as the pressure mounted on Cardiff – who had not lost away from home so far this season – as Leicester continued to attack the flanks courtesy of the pace of Martyn Waghorn and Lloyd Dyer.

Dyer had a great opportunity to put Leicester ahead after Steve Howard’s knock down fell into the path of the speedy winger, but he could only hit the side netting with a shot from a tight angle.

Skipper Matt Oakley then unleashed a fierce strike through the heart of the Cardiff defence which was parried by Marshall – who then excellently tipped Martyn Waghorn’s follow-up shot around the near post.

Leicester were rewarded for their persistence with just over twenty minutes to go when Andy King netted his second of the night – and fourth of the season – with a fantastic curling strike from inside the area to put the Foxes ahead, sending the home fans into raptures.

Leicester should have made it 3-1 after a calamitous goal kick from David Marshall put Lloyd Dyer through in on goal, but his shot hit the outside of the post and went agonisingly wide.

Leicester went on to see out the win after a nerve-racking five minutes of injury time, giving Paulo Sousa his first victory of the Championship campaign and the Blue Army faithful a sense of retribution following the play-off heartbreak of last season.

Man of the Match – Andy King