LEICESTER CITY 2 SWANSEA 0
Report by Paul Weston
It was a slightly strange feeling going to the Swansea match really excited for once about the possible outcome. I suppose that for the past few months I had mentally prepared myself for relegation as every game seemed to have the same gloomy outcome, irrespective of how well we played, which was often.
The atmosphere in the stadium on a sunny day was even more vibrant than the West Ham match- just like a cup tie- and the roar which greeted the team when it came onto the pitch could not have failed to have had a positive effect on the players.
David Nugent was injured in the warm up and so Ulloa took his place at short notice and we were concerned that the breaking up of the Nugent/Vardy partnership would have an adverse effect. We should not have worried. City, led by the effervescent Vardy, started on fire and rattled the Swansea defence right from the off. The passing and pace were good with Andy King everywhere breaking up play and forming a good partnership with Cambiasso who gave a complete masterclass throughout the whole match.
Morgan had stayed up after a cleared corner and brilliantly shielded a cross by Wasilewski so that Ulloa could sweep in a goal in the 15th minute and it was 1-0 to City. The King Power stadium was rocking!
There were few clear chances in the first half but with City continuing to play Swansea at their own game, keeping possession well and always pressing forward with Albrighton and Schlupp on the wings. Routledge switched wings during the first half, presumably to keep Albrighton quiet and it was an absorbing battle between the two. Albrighton continued to impress with his defensive duties as well as his accurate crossing abilities.
Pearson switched to four at the back in the second half and brought on De Laet for Wasilewski in a tactical change. The match then entered a different phase. Swansea seemed to have more possession but City created at least six chances on the break when they should have scored. Kramaric had two chances, Albrighton one and Ulloa headed over. At the other end Schmeichel saved brilliantly from Oliveira and Shelvey. Oliveria might have easily fallen from Huth’s tackle and it could have been a penalty.
Mahrez came on for a tiring Ulloa. Mahrez had a great low shot turned around the post by Fabianski. Another fast break from Vardy should have led to a goal from Mahrez but Fabianski saved well. Drinkwater then came on for Kramaric whose influence had waned in the second half. It was good to see Drinkwater in the side again and he set up Vardy for a dart on goal and, despite a dubious challenge from Williams sending him to the ground, neither a penalty nor a yellow card for “simulation” were given.
Swansea continued to press forward as the minutes ticked away and you began to fear that a late equaliser might unfairly snatch the three points away from City. However City’s never say die spirit pressed them on urged on by the crowd. Mahrez earned a free kick after breaking forward. Albrighton and Cambiasso stood over the free kick with Albrighton looking the favourite. However it was Cambiasso who swept the ball in low. It bounced just before Fabianski and he fumbled it onto the onrushing Andy King who turned the ball in for 2-0 to rapturous acclaim from the Kop End.
City played out the remaining minutes near the corner flag for a well-earned victory achieved with spirit, skill and pace- all ingredients of our successful season in the Championship.
There were no weak links in this fearless City performance and there is now a real chance that we could rescue this season. Typically all the pundits who have condemned city to relegation are now changing their opinions. However, there is still a long way to go and a very difficult away match at Burnley awaits us. But there is a momentum building now to staying in the Premiership and, with the awesome support of the City fans, who knows- we might just do it!
Leicester: Schmeichel, Wasilewski (De Laet 46), Huth, Morgan, Albrighton, King, Cambiasso, Schlupp, Kramaric (Drinkwater 74), Ulloa (Mahrez 68), Vardy. Subs not used: Konchesky, James, Lawrence, Schwarzer
Swansea: Fabianski, Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Amat, Cork, Ki (Montero 58), Shelvey, Sigurdsson, Nelson Oliveira (Emnes 75), Routledge (Dyer 70). Subs not used: Britton, Grimes, Tremmel, Bartley
Attendance: 31,121 Referee: Lee Probert
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