Leicester City 2 Hull City 1
Report by Kate Thompson
After the disappointment of only drawing at Blackpool, despite scoring three goals, it was hard to predict which Leicester team would turn up. The early signs were not good, when Matty Fryatt showed what a good player he is by easily outpacing the City defence and slotting the ball past Schmeichel.
Any lingering hopes of making the ‘magic’ play-offs must have been extinguished in even the most optimistic (or unrealistic) supporter. However, two fantastic goals in the 18th and 19th minutes changed the picture dramatically and City hung onto their 2-1 lead to the end.
After a warning that all three midfielders might be unavailable through injury, in the event only Wellens was missing, with Ben Marshall brought in to replace him. Otherwise, it was the same team that played at Blackpool as Pearson resisted the call to change the defence; some thought Mills might get a recall but it looks now as if his short tenure is about to end.
The game started slowly and tentatively and Fryatt showed what City had lost when he went to Hull, by scoring a simple goal in the 8th minute. City had shown a lot of energy without reward and when the lively Dyer picked up the ball in the right channel it looked as if another chance would go begging. However, he surprised us all by moving inside and striking a powerful shot which stung Mannone’s hands but crept into the left-hand corner.
We had hardly settled down from that when Marshall scored an even better goal when he picked up the ball about 25 yards out and lashed an unstoppable shot that took a slight deflection. Driving home afterwards, the Radio 5 team were rhapsodising about Crouch’s goal for Stoke; I haven’t seen it yet but I doubt it was that much better than Marshall’s.
We thought we were in for a goal fest, with three early goals, but that was the end of the scoring, despite Sol Bamba (who had come on for a tiring Nugent) hitting a post and the ever-willing Dyer putting the ball the wrong side of the net after a mazy run.
City had to play the majority of the second half without Danns, the captain for the day, who was sent off after a two-footed challenge on McKenna; the Hull player was not hurt but the referee stunned the City fans by showing Danns a straight red. It seemed harsh at the time but seeing it later on the television, Danns had both feet off the ground and I would be surprised if there is an appeal against it.
As is often the case, the team with 11 men did not capitalise on the situation and Schmeichel was rarely called into action. There wasn’t a single corner until the game was two-thirds old and City only had one for the whole game. Hull only had three but after the inability to defend against a header from the smallest player on the pitch at Blackpool, there was some anxiety, but this time the defence held firm.
I could not criticise the players for their effort. Even Beckford, who frequently goes missing, was energetic and towards the end of the game he controlled a ball from Schemichel and made a fantastic pass to Dyer on the right wing.
According to Radio Leicester, Nugent had been very stiff on Thursday, after the Blackpool game, but he continued his unselfish runs and was always a threat. Drinkwater, a player I like, had a quiet game but could have scored a third goal if he had hit it harder, and Marshall improves with every game; hopefully he will keep his place on Tuesday.
So it is still mathematically possible and at least means that the season continues for the long-suffering City fans. Bring on the Forest!
Leicester: Schmeichel, Peltier, Morgan, St. Ledger, Konchesky, Danns, Drinkwater, Marshall (Kennedy 85), Dyer, Beckford, Nugent (Bamba 67). Unused subs: Howard, Schlupp, Hopper.
Goals: Dyer 18, Marshall 20 Sent off: Danns
Hull: Mannone, Rosenior, Chester, Hobbs, Dawson, McKenna, Evans (Mclean 85), Cairney (Brady 58), King (Cullen 78), Fryatt, Stewart. Unused subs: Dudgeon, Gulacsi.
Goals: Fryatt 8
Attendance: 23,759 (2,084 away) Referee: Nigel Miller (County Durham)
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