A second-half goal from Yuki Abe was enough to give Leicester City their second successive home win and end newly promoted Brighton’s undefeated start to the season.
The Japanese international rose well at the far post to head past Casper Ankergren just after half-time following some great hold-up play by Darius Vassell in what proved to be the decisive moment in the game.
Craig Mackail-Smith inexplicably volleyed over from six yards for the away side before Marcos Painter was sent off for a second bookable offence after handling the ball.
Both sides had chances to score but Leicester held on for the three points; a win which pushed them up to ninth in the Championship and subsequently knocked Brighton off the top of the table.
The Foxes have now won consecutive home games for the first time this season, and manager Sven Goran-Eriksson will have been delighted with his side’s work rate in the second-half.
It was Brighton who started the game strongly, however, and could have taken the lead through Craig Mackail-Smith, but his unmarked header fell straight into the hands of Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
But against the run of play, Leicester inexplicably had a goal disallowed when Lee Peltier fired past Ankergren – but Darius Vassell was adjudged by referee Graham Scott to have been fouled in the build-up, despite there being a clear advantage to the home side.
Paul Konchesky fired the subsequent free-kick into the wall but the passage of play seemed to spark Leicester into life, with Andy King’s fierce strike forcing Casper Ankergren to make a good diving save.
As the half progressed, Brighton looked the side more likely to break the deadlock – but five minutes before the break, Sol Bamba tested Ankergren with a downward header from Richie Wellens’ corner; the ball bouncing before the former Leeds shot stopper did enough to tip it over the bar.
Matt Mills also headed over and Andy King fired wide from 25 yards in a relatively forgettable first-half in which the hosts lacked any real creativity, although did match their counterparts in terms of solid defending.
Leicester were ahead less than a minute after the restart when Darius Vassell made space for himself on the left side, avoiding two Brighton defenders, before playing a fantastic ball to the back post where Yuki Abe was unmarked to fire home a strong header past the helpless Ankergren.
It was Abe’s first goal of the season in which he had featured irregularly to date, but wonderfully worked by the former England international Vassell and a fantastic start to the second-half for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men.
Brighton should have been level minutes later, however, when Ashley Barnes picked out team-mate Craig Mackail-Smith in the Leicester penalty area, but the front man somehow cleared the crossbar from less than six yards out.
New signing Jermaine Beckford had been kept quiet in the first-half, but began to impress in the second on 55 minutes by passing two Brighton players before setting up Gelson Fernandes, who fired over.
Beckford then tested Ankergren with a shot from distance to which the goalkeeper was equal, before Darius Vassell hit the side netting from a tight angle as Leicester pushed for a second goal.
Leicester continued to terrorise Brighton with their pace up front as Darius Vassell had another goal bound shot blocked, but Gus Poyet’s side nearly found a way back into the game when substitute Will Buckley picked out Ryan Harley just inside the Leicester penalty area – but Lee Peltier and Matt Mills did fantastically to thwart the midfielder’s efforts with two great blocks.
With ten minutes remaining, Brighton were then down to ten men when Marcos Painter received a second booking for a deliberate handball, which appeared to deflate the away side in their quest for an equaliser.
As time ran down, Jermaine Beckford fired over and Schmeichel parried away a dangerous cross by Kazenga LuaLua – but the home side held on comfortably to take an important three points.
Sven-Goran Eriksson will feel his side did enough to win the match against a side who had been flying so far this season, and will take confidence from the work ethic from all of his players to keep a clean sheet – Leicester’s first since the opening day of the season.
Man of the Match – Gelson Fernandes
Showing posts with label yuki abe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yuki abe. Show all posts
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Saturday, 7 May 2011
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
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
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Leicester City F.C. - New Signings
Well, I was actually expecting a little more transfer activity today from Leicester City before the window closed at 6pm. However, the only two confirmed signings so far are Yuki Abe and fan favourite Martyn Waghorn.
Here's a little bit about the two, and what fans can expect to see.
I hope to add either to this blog, or to create others in relation to it, when more signings are unveiled.
Name: Yuki Abe
Age: 28
Position: Defensive midfielder
Transfer fee: Undisclosed (although rumours suggest the fee to be around £2 million).
Last season:
Abe spent the last of his three seasons playing for Urawa Red Dragons in Japan, scoring twice in 38 appearances. He also played in one match at the 2010 World Cup
First thoughts:
A fairly unknown quantity really, but still quite an interesting prospect. Most Leicester fans will not have heard of him before as this will be the first English side Abe has played for.
Who does he replace?
No-one, although it does add fuel to the fire that certain Leicester City players might be looking to leave the club.
What can he bring to Leicester City?
Abe adds an extra dimension to the starting XI with his preferred role being that of a defensive midfielder. Whilst Paulo Sousa’s new attacking style of play looks promising at times, it does leave the defence exposed at the back when the opposition counter attacks. This signing might give Andy King more freedom to push forward in midfield and support his strikers if a 4-4-2 formation is adopted.
Transfer rating: 7/10
Name: Martyn Waghorn
Age: 20
Position: Striker
Transfer fee: Undisclosed (although thought to be a fee rising to ₤3 million).
Last season:
Waghorn spent last year at Leicester City on a season long loan from Sunderland F.C. He scored twelve goals in 28 starts for the Foxes and established himself as a fan favourite. Was voted as Leicester City Young Player of the Season for 2009-2010.
First thoughts:
Almost too good to be true. The majority of Leicester fans wanted Waghorn to move on a permanent deal at the end of last season but Sunderland manager Steve Bruce made it clear that he was not for sale. However, with the Black Cats signing Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan for a club record fee, Waghorn made the switch back to the Walkers Stadium on a permanent deal this time.
Who does he replace?
DJ Campbell, who finally made a permanent move to Blackpool after a number of spells on loan for the Seasiders.
What can he bring to Leicester City?
Waghorn has good pace, as well as exceptional strength for someone of his size. He offers a much needed goal scoring threat – an area where Leicester have struggled in so far this season. Fans will love his desire and commitment, and will be confident that the 20 year old will be able to do for Leicester what DJ Campbell never could. However, fans and players alike must be wary of putting too much pressure on young shoulders to turn Leicester’s season around in an instant. Still, Waghorn is a great player with bags of potential.
Transfer rating: 9/10
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Like I say, I'll be adding to this over the next few days.
Here's a little bit about the two, and what fans can expect to see.
I hope to add either to this blog, or to create others in relation to it, when more signings are unveiled.
Name: Yuki Abe
Age: 28
Position: Defensive midfielder
Transfer fee: Undisclosed (although rumours suggest the fee to be around £2 million).
Last season:
Abe spent the last of his three seasons playing for Urawa Red Dragons in Japan, scoring twice in 38 appearances. He also played in one match at the 2010 World Cup
First thoughts:
A fairly unknown quantity really, but still quite an interesting prospect. Most Leicester fans will not have heard of him before as this will be the first English side Abe has played for.
Who does he replace?
No-one, although it does add fuel to the fire that certain Leicester City players might be looking to leave the club.
What can he bring to Leicester City?
Abe adds an extra dimension to the starting XI with his preferred role being that of a defensive midfielder. Whilst Paulo Sousa’s new attacking style of play looks promising at times, it does leave the defence exposed at the back when the opposition counter attacks. This signing might give Andy King more freedom to push forward in midfield and support his strikers if a 4-4-2 formation is adopted.
Transfer rating: 7/10
Name: Martyn Waghorn
Age: 20
Position: Striker
Transfer fee: Undisclosed (although thought to be a fee rising to ₤3 million).
Last season:
Waghorn spent last year at Leicester City on a season long loan from Sunderland F.C. He scored twelve goals in 28 starts for the Foxes and established himself as a fan favourite. Was voted as Leicester City Young Player of the Season for 2009-2010.
First thoughts:
Almost too good to be true. The majority of Leicester fans wanted Waghorn to move on a permanent deal at the end of last season but Sunderland manager Steve Bruce made it clear that he was not for sale. However, with the Black Cats signing Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan for a club record fee, Waghorn made the switch back to the Walkers Stadium on a permanent deal this time.
Who does he replace?
DJ Campbell, who finally made a permanent move to Blackpool after a number of spells on loan for the Seasiders.
What can he bring to Leicester City?
Waghorn has good pace, as well as exceptional strength for someone of his size. He offers a much needed goal scoring threat – an area where Leicester have struggled in so far this season. Fans will love his desire and commitment, and will be confident that the 20 year old will be able to do for Leicester what DJ Campbell never could. However, fans and players alike must be wary of putting too much pressure on young shoulders to turn Leicester’s season around in an instant. Still, Waghorn is a great player with bags of potential.
Transfer rating: 9/10
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Like I say, I'll be adding to this over the next few days.
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