LEICESTER CITY 5 MANCHESTER UNITED 3
Report by Paul Weston
I have supported City through thick and thin over many, many years and witnessed many lows and a few highs. Yet I find myself writing this report a whole day after the match on Sunday still in a state of shock after witnessing what was, for me, the most exhilarating City performance I have ever seen. It is a game that will live in the memory for all time. It was a privilege to be there and worth the season ticket price just for the one match!
Man Utd came with a stellar cast of players and I admit that I was apprehensive. Even though QPR had played into their hands during their last match it looked like Man Utd were starting to join the pieces together and their attack looked awesome.
Nigel Pearson kept the same side that ended the second half at Stoke and got such a good win. In came Cambiasso, Drinkwater and Vardy (for his first start). I had been looking forward all season to seeing how Vardy would shape up against Premiership opposition. We soon would find out!
Both sides started brightly with Ulloa mis-controlling a pass from Nugent and losing the chance to shoot. Schmeichel then saved well low down from Van Persie. Then in a flash Falcao turned De Laet, who had got too tight, crossed and Van Persie headed in, with a deflection off Moore. United were moving forward in waves now and City were looking vulnerable on our right flank- not surprising considering the talent of the opposition. And then after about 15 minutes we were 2-0 down when Di Maria with a delightful chipped shot scored breaking through the middle.
At this point I turned in my seat and said to my friend- “this could be 5 or 6”. How right I was!
This City side, though, has an incredible capacity for fighting back. Almost immediately City fans cheered the team to give the players a lift and Vardy shot down the right, shrugged off his marker and sent in a superb cross from the right which Ulloa headed in superbly. 2-1 down but City were back in the match and the fans rightly applauded off the team at half time.
Man Utd upped the pace at the start of the second half and dominated possession for a short time. Falcao hit the bar with a wonderful half volley and then, from a Di Maria shot going wide, Herrera flicked the ball in which wrong footed Schmeichel. 3-1 down and only about 30 minutes left of the match.
City to their credit never stopped playing their way with great belief. By this time Smalling had taken over from Evans in United’s defence and City continued to press the United defenders when in possession. Vardy chased a pass from Konchesky and pushed off Rafael as he ran for the ball. It looked like a foul but was not given by Clattenberg the referee and play carried on. Vardy then burst into the penalty box and Rafael shoved Vardy to the ground- penalty! Certainly a soft penalty and United were not happy. Nugent picked up the ball and blasted it down the middle. 2-3 and we were still in there fighting.
From that point City absolutely pulverised Manchester United, whose defensive shape started to collapse. From yet another attack Hammond shot, it rebounded to Cambiasso who scored low into the net. 3-3 and the crowd went mad. It was a fantastic atmosphere. King came on for Cambiasso who had had an excellent game and shot just wide from a Drinkwater cross.
Then De Laet, dispossessed Mata and dashed down the right, crossed to Vardy who outstripped the defence and scored with great confidence. 4-3 and we could hardly believe what we were witnessing. And it got even better. The irrepressible Vardy, who by then had turned the Man Utd defenders into nervous wrecks, burst into the penalty box and was brought down by Blackett. It was a clear penalty this time and Blackett was sent off. Ulloa confidently scored the penalty as by then Nugent had been substituted by James.
Vardy was substituted by Schlupp to a standing ovation from the fans. Schlupp could have scored twice himself in a frenetic end to the match. It finished to the amazing sound of “Ole” from the crowd as City mesmerised Man Utd with their passing, even nutmegging their players three times in a row!
And so the match ended 5-3 with the crowd buzzing. We could hardly believe what we had witnessed. City had absolutely blasted Man Utd off the pitch with a display of exhilarating football.
I do not know where to start with comments on the players’ performance. Vardy rightly will receive the plaudits for his display but they all played at the highest level. To his credit De Laet, who had started shakily, had a fantastic second half and he played a part in many of City’s best moves.
And so we are in the giddy heights of the Premiership table with 8 points when some of us feared we could be bottom with zero. There will be many twists and turns in the Premiership to come but let us, for now, enjoy what was a day to remember.
Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Moore, Konchesky, Hammond, Drinkwater, Cambiasso (King 71), Ulloa, Nugent (James 75), Vardy (Schlupp 85). Subs not used: Hamer, Mahrez, Wasilewski, Wood
Man Utd: De Gea, Da Silva, Evans (Smalling 30), Blackett, Rojo, Blind, Ander Herrera, Di Maria (Mata 76), Rooney, van Persie, Falcao (Januzaj 72). Subs not used: Shaw, Lindegaard, Fletcher, Valencia
Attendance: 31,784 Referee: Mark Clattenburg
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation