CITY RISE TO THE OCCASION

LEICESTER CITY 4 SWANSEA 0

Report by Paul Weston

I suspect that, like most City fans, the past week had been ruined for me as I went through in my mind, time and time again, the injustices of the match against West Ham and what had to be one of the most awful and inconsistent refereeing performances I have ever witnessed. It had ruined what in fact could have been a good match.

The consequences of Jamie Vardy’s rant against the referee as he was sent off had led to his absence for the Swansea match with the strong chance of this being extended to the Old Trafford match on 1 May. It was difficult not to feel that the world was against us, compounded by Stoke City’s rather pathetic performance against Spurs on the following day.

In order to cope I had decided to approach the match in a realistic but positive way- rather like Ranieri. It had been so far a brilliant season which I would probably never ever witness again in my lifetime. If Spurs beat us to the top then good luck to them, but we City fans and the team would stand proudly together and we would cheer them to the end, whatever the result.

All the so-called experts had filled column inches in the newspapers before the match doubting how we could cope without Vardy. Claudio Ranieri, not only a master tactician but also so skilful at both charming and manipulating the press, chose to praise the whole squad and some of the lesser known players. Ulloa led the line for the match and Schlupp was selected for his raw pace ahead of Albrighton.

The KP stadium was packed and, as the players came onto the pitch, erupted to an awesome noise which drowned out the Posthorn Gallop and The Birch’s rabble rousing cry to the fans. I have never witnessed anything like it and it could not have failed to stir the players.

After a rather uncertain start during which Swansea, as expected, had a lot of possession, City were presented with a gift. Williams played a sloppy pass across defence which rebounded off Mahrez and he calmly slotted the ball just inside the post. 1-0 and which was just the calming factor we all needed.

From that point City just relentlessly took control, even though Swansea quite often had the ball but often going backwards and sideways. Ulloa was winning headers and controlling the ball well, bringing others into play. Kante, after a slow start, moved up a gear. Drinkwater, again after a few misplaced passes, began to control the midfield.

Mahrez was up for it, although sometimes beating four men in one go was a bit optimistic! Okazaki was on the floor more than upright, but was an irritation. The defence looked solid, apart from two headers that Swansea had that were off-target. And then there was Jeff Schlupp!

Although often his final pass or shot is a well-known failing, usually when he has too much time to think, he just relentlessly kept running at Swansea and, for me, was man of the match. He gave the team the fast pace and energy which it needed in Vardy’s absence- another Ranieri masterstroke in selection.

It was not long before Ulloa scored to make it 2-0 with a fine header from a really good Drinkwater free kick. Half time approached with City in control and the fans in full voice in supporting the team.

Although Ayew did not make the most of a chance early on in the second half for Swansea, City scored again in the 60th minute. Schlupp picked up the ball well from a Schmeichel kick and raced past a defender. He messed up his square pass somewhat but managed to stab the ball back across the goal where the long leg of Ulloa prodded in. 3-0 and we were on a roll.

The inter passing improved more and more as the team drove forward as Swansea left more gaps at the back. Schlupp had about three chances for more goals but only one needed to be saved by the goalie. Okazaki also shot over when he had created a scoring opportunity.

In the latter stages King, Gray and Albrighton came on for Ulloa, Okazaki and Schlupp respectively. They all knitted together immediately. Andy King with his first two touches could, and should have, scored. However soon it was Gray burning down the right wing, header back from King, parried by the goalie and smashed in by Albrighton. 4-0, a job done with style and the terraces of the stadium were literally bouncing.

You realise that I have not mentioned the referee Clattenberg yet. That is because he gave a master class on how to manage a game and not be the centre piece of attention. John Moss- please note!

This was an exhilarating display by the team, including the substitutes, and the ironic chant of “4-0 to the one-man team” by City fans could not be more apt. As I write this the verdict of Vardy’s hearing is not yet known. However, whether he is available or not for Old Trafford, we know that this team will give its utmost against Manchester United in striving for the Holy Grail. What more can a City fan ask for?

Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez, Kanté, Drinkwater, Schlupp, Ulloa, Okazaki
Subs: King, Albrighton, Amartey, Gray, Wasilewski, Chilwell, Schwarzer

Swansea: Fabianski, Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor, Britton, Ayew, Cork, Fer, Routledge, Sigurdsson
Subs: Amat, Ki Sung-yueng, Paloschi, Nordfeldt, Montero, Naughton, Barrow

Attendance: 31.962

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