Derby 0 City 1
Report by Kate Thompson
Following their excellent performance against Norwich, hopes were high that City would finally play in the league in the way we wanted to see, and for most of the first half they did not disappoint.
The second half, however, was a different matter and on quite a few occasions it looked as if their inability to cash in on their total dominance would come back to haunt them. Not for the first time this season, the fans chewed their fingernails to the quick as Derby mounted one attack after another, and it seemed more likely that they would score than that we could get a second goal.
City made one change from the Norwich game, Paul Konchesky replacing Tom Kennedy at left back. The talk before the game was about the fact that Mills wasn’t even on the bench and Pearson’s post-match interview gave the very strong impression that he is on his way out of the club.
Although Derby started quicker, City soon imposed themselves on the game and when Danns scored a screamer in the 16th minute, after Dyer had skinned his full-back, it appeared it would only be the first of many.
Derby were woeful in the first half and City were making them look like a pub team; passes were missing their target and going out for throw-ins for City, and for once we were first to the ball.
Danns in particular appeared to be on a one-man mission to score a handful of goals and after the one he did score, had three more chances before half-time, two of which Fielding, the Derby keeper, saved. While the game stayed at 1-0, despite Leicester’s overwhelming dominance, it was always going to be a nail-biter and so it proved in the second half.
Clough must have read the riot act as Derby were much better after the break, but having said that I can’t remember Schmeichel having to make a single save. The defence stood up to the shots on target, Morgan being particularly effective, and despite some scares kept another clean sheet.
It wasn’t all Derby though, and Nugent managed to miss from six yards, having done the hard work in controlling the ball impressively; he also had a header saved by the keeper. Beckford had a disappointing night and was the one weak link in the team, but to give him credit he persisted and on one occasion robbed a Derby player by the sideline and almost scored from the tightest of angles.
Perhaps the most unlucky player was Dyer, who hit first the upright and then the crossbar but the ball stayed out. Delfounso did get the ball in the net but Dyer had already been ruled offside.
In the first half we saw some of the best football that Leicester have produced all season and I was especially pleased with the work-rate and energy levels, something which I have previously criticised.
In the end it was a hard-fought win but it moves us up one place in the table and still with a mathematical chance of making the play-offs. However, I have to disagree with St Ledger – I would rather be at Wembley for the FA Cup final (as well as the semis, which shouldn’t be played at Wembley, but that’s another story!) as on current evidence the team would struggle in the Premier League.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Peltier (Bamba 72), Morgan, St. Ledger, Konchesky, Marshall (Drinkwater 79), Danns, Wellens, Dyer, Nugent, Beckford (Delfouneso 72). Unused subs: Howard, Kennedy.
Goals: Danns 16
Booked: Danns, Morgan
Derby: Fielding, Green, Barker, Shackell, Roberts, Carroll, Hendrick, Bryson (Robinson 81), Ward, Tyson, Ball (Davies 76). Unused subs: Buxton, Legzdins, Naylor.
Booked: Ward
Attendance: 28,205 Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)
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