Norwich 1 City 2
Report by Colin Hall
David Nugent’s 13th goal of the season proved to be unlucky for hosts Norwich as Leicester triumphed in their 5th round FA Cup clash.
The 2-1 victory was no more than the Foxes deserved. They outplayed their Premier League opponents for long spells, displaying hunger, spirit and passion that have all too often been absent during a troubled league campaign.
Both teams made significant changes for this game. Norwich rested their entire first-choice defence (including ex-Leicester loanee Kyle Naughton) as well as club captain Grant Holt. Meanwhile Nigel Pearson made four changes following the dismal midweek defeat at Watford. The demotion of Matt Mills and Paul Konchesky to the bench, in favour of Wes Morgan and Tom Kennedy respectively, gave strong hints as where he placed the blame for that result.
The visitors started strongly and forced a series of early corners, used well by Kennedy and Ben Marshall to trouble the Canary defence. The pressure eventually told when a Marshall corner from the left was glanced home by Sean St Ledger for his first goal in Foxes colours.
St Ledger’s strike was greeted rapturously by the vociferous travelling hordes, who had already loudly made their views known, in no uncertain terms, on the scandalous decision to cut Leicester’s ticket allocation for this fixture. The fans remained in excellent voice as the Foxes looked good value for their lead.
However a subdued Norwich team were gifted a way back into the game by an extraordinary decision by Premier referee Mike Dean. Home midfielder Elliott Bennett backed into Kasper Schmeichel as he looked to punch clear a deflected shot.
To the bemusement and anger of the visiting contingent, who had an excellent view of the incident, Dean gave the foul in Bennett’s favour and awarded Norwich a penalty. A sensibly-restrained Schmeichel pulled off a superb save from Wes Hoolahan’s spot-kick, but was powerless to stop the follow-up being lifted over him for a scarcely-merited equaliser.
It would have been easy (and indeed typical) for the visitors to let their heads drop. But on this occasion it didn’t happen. In fact the lead should have been restored ten minutes later. After confusion from another Marshall corner, Morgan’s back-heel looked to have crossed the line before Elliott Ward’s block, but both referee and linesman failed to spot that. Incidents like this can only hasten the introduction of goal-line technology – a must if the integrity and image of the sport is to be preserved.
Adding insult to injury, Morgan was subsequently booked for a challenge on Steve Morison which was barely recognised as a foul, let alone one worthy of a yellow card.
If the visitors were frustrated about only entering the second half on level terms, they kept those feelings well hidden. Lloyd Dyer sent a shot narrowly over, and the midfield continued to dominate their Norwich counterparts. However it was now City’s turn to look vulnerable at set pieces, with Richie Wellens showing good anticipation to clear a Leon Barnett header that beat Schmeichel.
With 20 minutes remaining, the Foxes struck what proved to be the killer blow, when St Ledger’s clearance was headed by Jermaine Beckford into Nugent’s path. Showing great control, the striker took the ball past Barnett before providing the type of finish that has become his trademark in recent games.
Norwich mounted an onslaught on the visiting goal during the closing stages, but the defence held firm. Beckford almost made the game safe in the dying minutes, only to strike the woodwork when he should really have found the target. Nevertheless, the final whistle was greeted with joyous scenes in the away section of Carrow Road.
Every single member of the team deserve credit for their contribution to a magnificent performance and result, but Morgan and St Ledger, in their first game together as a central-defensive partnership, should be especially praised. Stand-in captain Wellens was tireless and inspirational in midfield, confounding his numerous critics who had hitherto doubted his leadership credentials. Meanwhile Nugent and Beckford continued to develop the understanding that many always hoped they would have.
While many in the Leicester camp may have hoped for a better reward in the 6th round draw, the dream of a first visit to the rebuilt Wembley remains strong. Whoever emerges victorious from the clash between Chelsea and Birmingham is unlikely to give the FA Cup the same priority as the Foxes.
Our squad has the quality to deliver a result. The question will be whether they can again deliver when it matters.
Norwich (4-4-2): Steer; Martin, Barnett, Ward, Drury; Bennett, Fox (Johnson 78), Hoolahan (c), Pilkington; Jackson (Vaughan 62), Morison (Wilbraham 62).
Unused subs: Ruddy, Crofts, Surman, Lappin.
Goals: Hoolahan 23
Booked: Ward
City (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Peltier, Morgan, St. Ledger, Kennedy (Konchesky 66); Marshall (Delfouneso 66), Danns, Wellens (c), Dyer; Nugent, Beckford.
Unused subs: Smith, Mills, Howard, Moussa, Hopper.
Goals: St. Ledger 5, Nugent 70
Booked: Morgan
Attendance: 26,658
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
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
Colin Hall is a Leicester City season-ticket holder in block SK1. He can be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Ultra_Fox.