Leicester City 2 Bristol City 0 – 6 October 2012

Foxes stay perfect at home

Leicester City have won five league games in a row at home this season

Leicester City climbed to the top of the Championship with a comfortable win over Bristol City at the King Power Stadium.

David Nugent netted his fifth goal of the season after latching on to a clever through ball from Jamie Vardy midway through the first-half.

The one-time England international was involved in Leicester’s second when Andy King’s chip into the box was bundled into the visitors’ net by defender Richard Foster, who was under pressure from Nugent inside the six-yard box.

Paul Konchesky and Sean St. Ledger both had to leave the game through injury after the break, but Nigel Pearson will be happy enough that his side maintained their 100 per cent league record at home.

With Cardiff City facing Ipswich Town in this evening’s late Championship fixture, victory for Leicester allowed them to climb above the Bluebirds and into first place.

Pearson named an unchanged starting eleven from the side that won 2-0 away at Huddersfield in midweek, and Leicester looked the sharper of the two sides from the start when David Nugent snuck in behind the Robins’ defence after a clever pass from Anthony Knockaert, but the shot was from a tight angle and directly into the path of goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

Lloyd Dyer’s powerful shot was tipped round the post by Heaton after some trickery on the edge of the box, before Knockaert saw his low free-kick parried away for a corner.

Albert Adomah looked like the only real threat for the visitors, although he dragged his first-half shot well wide and never really troubled Kasper Schmeichel.

Leicester continued to push forward in search of an opener, and came close to breaking the deadlock when Andy King played the ball to Jamie Vardy inside the Bristol City penalty area, but the former Fleetwood striker was unable to get the ball from under his feet in time to trouble the goalkeeper.

Vardy was, however, involved in Leicester’s first goal when he played the ball over the defence for Nugent, who showed great power in brushing past the last man and coolly slotting the ball past Tom Heaton.

It was a fantastically well-worked goal by the two strikers, and one that showed the instinctive nature of Nugent and his ability to burst away from defenders.

It was no surprise to see Leicester play with confidence in the first-half, having won their last four league games, and the midfield was particularly impressive in retaining the ball and forcing the opposition into making careless mistakes.

Knockaert tested Heaton with a long-range strike ten minutes before the break, before Wes Morgan’s important block forced Albert Adomah’s effort behind for a corner.

Leicester continued to pepper away at the Bristol City goal in the second-half with shots from Andy King and Anthony Knockaert, although the hosts may be accused of taking their foot off the gas after the break.

The Foxes did double their advantage with just over fifteen minutes remaining when Andy King’s cross into the box was inadvertently headed into the net by defender Richard Foster, with David Nugent putting him under pressure.

It was a deserved second goal for Leicester, who had been the stronger of the two sides for the majority of the match, and had played with confidence and composure throughout.

Bristol City's only real chance of the second-half came when substitute Zak Whitbread was caught in possession by Stephen Pearson, but his attempt to catch Kasper Schmeichel off his line from 40 yards flew well over the bar.

Leicester almost grabbed a third goal in second-half stoppage time, but Anthony Knockaert's curling shot was well-saved by Tom Heaton.

The final whistle gave Leicester their fifth consecutive league victory, and preserved their unbeaten record this season at the King Power Stadium.

While it may seem that the October international break has now come at the wrong time for the Foxes, Nigel Pearson will be glad of the two-week break to assess the fitness of Sean St. Ledger, who was substituted mid-way through the second half after he appeared to pull up with a hamstring problem.

Man of the Match – Liam Moore

Leicester City 3 Hull City 1 – 23 September 2012

Nugent nets hat-trick as Foxes tame Tigers

© isriya, Flickr

David Nugent scored his second, third and fourth goals of the season as Leicester's fine home run continues

David Nugent scored a hat-trick as Leicester won their second game in five days to give Nigel Pearson a win over his former employers.

Nugent opened the scoring after seven minutes with a fine curling strike after Danny Drinkwater’s shot had fallen kindly into his path.

Jay Simpson equalised for the visitors midway through the first-half, but Nugent grabbed his second goal five minutes before the break with a fine header into the bottom corner from Anthony Knockaert’s cross.

Hull manager Steve Bruce was sent to the stands in the second-half after an altercation with an assistant referee before Nugent completed his hat-trick in stoppage time after the Foxes caught the visitors on the break.

Leicester’s second win in five days pushes them up to seventh in the Championship, while they remain undefeated in league games at the King Power Stadium so far this season.

Nigel Pearson started with the same eleven that defeated Burnley on Wednesday night, and he only had to wait until the seventh minute to see his side go ahead as Danny Drinkwater’s ambitious strike hit Nugent inside the penalty area, before the frontman regained his composure to curl the ball past Hull goalkeeper Ben Amos.

It was the first time Leicester had scored in the opening half of a league game so far this season, and a sign that Nugent was back to his best after ending a baron run of not scoring in the Championship with his second goal in as many starts.

The home side continued to pressure Hull and could have doubled their lead when Jamie Vardy latched onto Anthony Knockaert’s through ball, but his shot was pushed behind by Ben Amos.

From the ensuing corner, the former Fleetwood Town striker saw his effort cleared off the line before David Nugent almost latched onto a Vardy cross as both forwards continued to cause the Hull defence problems.

However, the visitors grabbed an equaliser against the run of play when Sone Aluko fired the ball across goal and directly into the path of teammate Jay Simpson, who stuck a foot out to guide the slam the ball into the net.

Hull could have gone ahead moments later when Wes Morgan was caught in possession at the back by Jay Simpson, but Matty James was on hand to prevent the danger.

Anthony Knockaert’s quick footwork allowed him to pick out Ben Marshall on the flank who fired a dangerous ball into the area intended for Jamie Vardy, but the ball broke for Nugent who could only hit the side netting from a tight angle.

Leicester managed to restore their lead three minutes before half-time when Knockaert picked out David Nugent inside the penalty area with a fantastic cross, and the one-time England international leapt above his marker to head the ball past Ben Amos.

It was a well-worked goal that gave Leicester a deserved advantage before half-time after a first 45 minutes in which both sides had a number of good opportunities.

Jamie Vardy really should have made it 3-1 after the break after he found himself unmarked with the ball at his feet inside the penalty area, but his shot was somehow turned away by Amos.

Wes Morgan headed just over from a corner, while, at the other end, Sone Aluko kept Kasper Schmeichel alert with a decent strike from 25 yards.

Knockaert tested Amos from distance, before Ben Marshall dragged a shot wide as Leicester continued to knock on the door – and the task became much greater for Hull when their manager Steve Bruce was sent to the stands after a reacting angrily to a decision made by the assistant referee who had judged the ball to have gone out of play with Hull on the attack. 

The visitors’ best chance to equalise came from a Robert Koren free-kick which was tipped over the bar by Schmeichel, but as Hull continued to push forward, Leicester caught them on the counter-attack in stoppage time with Lloyd Dyer teeing up Nugent inside the penalty area to complete his hat-trick and give the hosts all three points.

The win meant that Leicester’s 100 per cent home record in the Championship remained intact, as Leicester now turn to two consecutive away games as they look to pick up their first points of the season on their travels.

Man of the Match – Anthony Knockaert 

Leicester City 2 Burnley 1 – 19 September 2012

Foxes fight back to take three points

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

Leicester City: Position Battles

As we count down Leicester City's top position battles this season, we take a look at the midfield where youth and experience will battle it out for a starting place at the King Power Stadium.

4. Anthony Knockaert v. Lloyd Dyer

The recent signing of 20-year old Anthony Knockaert from French club side Guingamp provides Leicester City with an added dimension in attacking football.  The youngster can play on either the left or right wing, and also as a forward.  With Ben Marshall likely to start on the right side, Knockaert provides, at the very least, healthy competition for veteran winger Lloyd Dyer, who Nigel Pearson initially signed in 2009 from MK Dons. 

© Dominic Brewin, Flickr

Lloyd Dyer has been one of Leicester City's longest serving current players - but will he be guaranteed a place in the starting XI this season?

 

Nigel Pearson has already stated that he hopes Knockaert will play a big part in Leicester's season, and also that he has the ability to become a successful player in the Championship.  Although having been previously linked with a move to Newcastle United, he is still somewhat of an unknown quantity to football fans in the UK.  That being said, Leicester City's chief scout Steve Walsh has a tendency to find real gems in the transfer market.  Lloyd Dyer did receive a lot more playing time after Sven-Goran Eriksson parted ways with the club, although Pearson did seem keen to alternate various formations to accommodate the ability of Ben Marshall.  If Leicester do revert to a 4-4-2 formation rather than switching to a 4-3-3/4-5-1, this is likely to favour Dyer as he is more of an out-and-out winger, whereas Knockaert's versatility would allow him to also play as part of a front three.

Likely winner: Given Lloyd Dyer's age and the fact that he was generally used as a bit-part player last season, Anthony Knockaert should start ahead of him in 2012/13.  That being said, it's likely that Dyer will still be used in rotation along with set-piece specialist Paul Gallagher.