Leicester City 2 Bristol City 0
Report by Mike King
Can the Foxes extend their winning run with a fifth win in a row? That must have been the question on every City fans mind as the King Power Stadium was bathed in warm sunshine. Bristol City have been a bogey team of late doing the double last season, but this time they didn't have a Maynard in their team! With Cardiff playing their game later at lowly Ipswich, 3 points would take the Foxes to the top spot in the Championship, a thought that was far from all the City fans minds 3 weeks ago!
After the victory at Huddersfield mid-week and the 2 wonder goals from Knockaert, all eyes would be on him in the hope he would repeat his feats. Also, after the Chairman's statement the day before supporting Manager Pearson after rumours during the week of Rednapp, Shearer or Dowie taking his place (from the "Gutter Press" one East Stand friend stated), no team changes were expected.
Kicking towards the Family stand in the first half (with the low sun in the supporters eyes that must have made viewing the game difficult), it was Bristol who engineered the first chance of the game with a 10 yard header from Baldock straight at Schmeichel after only 20 seconds. But after that initial scare, the Foxes got into their stride with Dyer and Knockaert both out wide seeing plenty of the ball, with Dyer in particular giving the Bristol right-back a torrid time, but despite this, any chances that came were not taken.
Nugent's shot from a Dyer run was saved by Bristol 'keeper Heaton's feet, then the same keeper saved from a Dyer angled shot. Both Vardy and Knockaert were guilty of not shooting from the edge of the box as the crowd shouted "shoot" expecting another spectacular goal.
The Foxes were dominant with Bristol only rarely entering the Foxes half and it was no surprise when the Foxes took the lead after 22 minutes. A through ball by Vardy split the Bristol defence, finding Nugent who outpaced Nyatanga, sending Heaton the wrong way and calmly sliding the ball into the net from 12 yards.
Bristol rarely threatened, with left winger Adomah trying his hardest, but Morgan and St Ledger dealt with any crosses and Schmeichel having no threat to his goal. Pearson swapped Dyer and Knockaert over but they had little of the ball as the game went flat for the last 20 minutes of the first half. Drinkwater was impressing again, what a revelation he has been recently, and he covers the whole pitch demanding the ball goes through him, and King seems a good back-up alongside Drinkwater.
At half-time De Laet was warming up in full kit so who was he going to replace? Surely not Moore, but it was Konchesky who must have received a knock in the first half. As the game was drifting along, after 53 minutes, a tired looking Vardy was replaced by Marshall with the usual "Ben Marshall" chants starting from the East Standers. Also, the chants for Nigel Pearson were regular throughout the game, a comforting thought for the City Manager.
Yet another substitution had to be made after 65 minutes. St Ledger had the ball in his own half with a Bristol forward pressuring him, and suddenly he broke down holding his hamstring. After treatment, St Ledger slowly limped off, probably thoughts of missing the forthcoming Ireland internationals. Whitbread entered the fray, with his blond hair unmissable and he dealt with most thinks okay for the remainder of the game, but a couple of passes did go astray.
Knockaert and King had chances but couldn't put the game beyond doubt as a second goal was needed to ensure the 3 points were obtained. With 20 minutes to go, Drinkwater found King wide left and his delightful chip to the far post was met by Nugent and defender Foster's head, but as it seemed like a Nugent second goal, the stadium announcer credited the own goal to Foster.
The game was now won by the Foxes as the match slowly petered out, but a better score line and goal difference was denied as Nugent broke through and for the second time in the match, Nugent unselfishly teed up Knockaert and his eventual shot was palmed away by Heaton.
A fairly easy win and 3 points in the bag without being threatened by an unenterprising Bristol City side. Schmeichel didn't have to make a single save. 5 victories in a row and fortress King Power stadium probably not the best place to travel to for any opposing team at the moment and let us hope it stays that way. No outstanding Man Of The Match, but Drinkwater probably shaded it, with Morgan a close second.
Top of the table, and hearing the Ipswich v Cardiff score line on the way home with Ipswich taking the lead with ex Fox DJ Campbell scoring (as did Beckford scoring for Huddersfield!), could we stay there? No, Cardiff won 1-2 but it was great while it lasted, if only for 3 hours!
Birmingham away next who are struggling but then 2 home games against Brighton and Crystal Palace, who are both in the top 5, but at home, no problem!
Leicester City: Schmeichel, Moore, Morgan (c), St. Ledger (Whitbread ), Konchesky (De Laet), Knockaert, Drinkwater, King, Dyer, Vardy (Marshall ). Unused subs: Logan, Waghorn, James, Futacs.
Goals: Nugent 22, Foster (OG) 70
Bristol City: Heaton, Carey (M. Wilson 70), Fontaine (c), Nyatanga, Foster, Skuse, Morris (Anderson), Pearson, Taylor, Baldock (Davies), Adomah. Unused subs: Gerken, J. Wilson, Woolford, Stead. Booked: Carey, Morris.
Attendance: 22,529 Referee: Trevor Kettle
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