Leicester City 4 Watford 2 - 25th April 2011

Leicester City scored three second-half goals to come from behind against Watford to keep their own slim playoff hopes alive.

Marvin Sordell netted first for the Hornets before Jeffrey Bruma equalised with a long-range effort.

Sordell put the visitors ahead again before half-time but two goals from Yakubu after the break, separated by another stunning strike by Bruma, gave Leicester a much needed three points.

The win kept the Foxes mathematically in reach of the playoffs, but they would need to win their next two games comfortably and be relying on a number of other results to go in their favour.

The first half saw Sven-Goran Erikkson’s men adopt an unusual 4-5-1 formation, with Jeffrey Bruma playing in the centre of midfield, Yuki Abe on the right and Darius Vassell as the front man.

Leicester dominated possession in the first twenty minutes but failed to create many clear-cut chances, although Patrick Van Aanholt volleyed over from a corner before Paul Gallagher’s free-kick was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Scott Loach.

Watford threatened with the long ball but failed to really challenge the Leicester defence, as Miguel Vitor and Ben Mee looked comfortable dealing with the aerial threat of Troy Deeney and the prolific Danny Graham.

But the visitors did take the lead when Kyle Naughton was caught in possession by Marvin Sordell who cut inside Miguel Vitor before curling a sublime strike past Chris Weale.

It was a rare mistake by the Tottenham loanee but Sordell still had a lot of work to do before finding the net with his fourteenth goal of the season.

Foxes heads appeared to drop after going behind but were level ten minutes later when Jeffrey Bruma smashed a hopeful long-range drive past the helpless Scott Loach.

The goal came from nowhere but it was an important one and a fantastic way for the Chelsea loanee to open his account with Leicester.

Leicester looked good value to go into the break on level terms with their counterparts, but Watford restored their lead just two minutes later when Ben Mee’s slip inside the penalty area allowed Marvin Sordell to who find the net for the second time in twelve minutes with a low drive into the bottom corner.

The goal exposed Leicester’s defensive frailties that have trouble them in recent weeks, having now conceded eight goals in the last three games.

The Foxes also lost Richie Wellens to injury on the stroke of half-time, replaced by a second striker in the form of Yakubu – a positive substitution for which Sven-Goran Erikkson would be rewarded after the break.

Leicester came out all guns blazing in the second-half and within minutes were threatening for an equaliser with Patrick Van Aanholt finding Darius Vassell, whose shot was blocked over the bar.

Ben Mee then hit the crossbar with a shot through a crowd of Watford defenders, and after a goalmouth scramble in front of the Spion Kop, the ball just could not be guided past Scott Loach.

It seemed as if it was just a matter of time before an equaliser would come as Leicester continued to dominate the game - Andy King coming close to guiding Yuki Abe’s shot inside the far post, and Miguel Vitor’s header being tipped over the bar.

Leicester finally levelled when goalkeeper Scott Loach collided with Yakubu and Watford defender Adrian Mariappa on the edge of the box; the ball falling to the Nigerian striker who curled the ball into an empty net from a tight angle.

It was a tidy finish by the Yak who had not found the net since his hat-trick against his former club Middlesbrough three weeks ago.

Scott Loach looked visibly rocked by the error and spilled another high ball as Leicester pressed in search of a winner - and came close when Andy King found Darius Vassell inside the penalty area, but the former England striker was unable to connect with the ball.

But the hosts were ahead for the first time in the game when Jeffrey Bruma – in plenty of space - lashed a 30 yard drive past Scott Loach into the top corner.

It was a goal that bettered his earlier strike and is a certain contender for goal of the season; a memorable moment for the Dutchman – and for the Blue Army who had witnessed a complete turnaround in the last ten minutes.

And victory was secured two minutes later when Andy King latched onto a long ball before forcing Scott Loach to parry the ball into the feet of Yakubu who cleverly chipped over the goalkeeper for his second of the game and ninth since joining the Foxes on loan.

It was no more than Leicester deserved after a scintillating second-half performance that demonstrated their ability to tear teams apart when at their best.

Danny Graham fired wide for Watford late on before Alexsander Tunchev – making his first appearance in over a year - came on in injury time for the Foxes, much to the delight of the home fans.

The final whistle ensured a deserved three points for Sven-Goran Erikkson’s side, and although Leicester’s playoffs hopes were virtually ended with Nottingham Forest winning at Bristol City, it certainly gave the Blue Army something to smile about.

Man of the Match – Darius Vassell

Leicester 4-1 Watford - 17th April 2010

Ten man Leicester City tightened their grip on a Championship playoff place by thrashing relegation threatened Watford at the Walkers Stadium.

Martyn Waghorn and Paul Gallagher put the Foxes 2-0 up at half-time, while loan signings Jay Spearing and James Vaughan scored their first goals for the club, as Leicester's hunt for promotion remained firmly on track.

However, with Blackpool and Swansea both winning, Leicester still need one more win, or a Blackpool loss, to secure a playoff spot.

Defeat left the visitors very much in a relegation scrap with just two games to go this season, as fellow strugglers Scunthorpe and Crystal Palace both picked up points.

Watford started the game as the stronger side, with Danny Graham and Henri Lansbury both having good chances to put Watford in front, with Leicester goalkeeper Chris Weale saving from close range.

However, it was Leicester took the lead in controversial fashion when Jay DeMerit's challenge on Richie Wellens in the penalty area was deemed a foul by referee Nigel Miller, which allowed Martyn Waghorn to score from the spot for his twelfth goal of the season.

The home side doubled their lead minutes later after some clever build up play from the Foxes allowed Paul Gallagher to score his first goal in almost two months, firing a thunderous volley past Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach into the bottom corner of the net.

The game took a surprising turn on the stroke of half-time when Steve Howard was awarded a straight red card for a careless lunge on Ross Jenkins, which seemingly offered Watford a way back into the match.

However, the incident seemed to energise Nigel Pearson's men rather than persuade them to defend their two goal margin, starting the second half very brightly despite being a man down.

And after five minutes, the home side were able to capitalise on some poor defending by the Hornets, giving Liverpool loanee Jay Spearing plenty of time in the penalty area to fire home his first goal for Leicester City.

Substitute James Vaughan also opened his Leicester goal scoring account when he latched on to a through ball by Nicky Adams to put the Foxes 4-0 up, and well in control of the match.

Martin Taylor headed home a consolation for Watford with twelve minutes left, but it was too little too late for Malky Mackay's men, who lost their twelve away game of the season, and have failed to pick up three points on the road since October 2009.

Leicester remain fifth in the Championship, and could clinch a playoff spot next weekend with either a win at Deepdale, or a Blackpool loss to Peterborough.

Man of the Match - Jay Spearing