Watford 0 City 3
Report by Kate Thompson
After the fantastic game against Fulham – described by a friend as the best home game he had seen for a long time – hopes were high that this year we would win away at Watford. Although the ground is the nearest to my home and I left in plenty of time, I had a nightmare trying to find somewhere to park and missed the first five minutes. I gather that the end of the play-off game last season was shown on the screens before the match – if anything was designed to fire City up for the game it was that!
Wood was in for Vardy, who apparently has a hamstring problem, and Moore and Wasilewski continued as right and centre back respectively. I really like the look of Wasilewski, not only is he a man mountain at the back but his distribution is excellent. The other change from the ‘usual’ team was Jeff Schlupp, deputising for the injured Konchesky at left-back.
City started the game at a great pace but the first goal was down to a basic error by the Watford keeper, when he kicked the ball out so tamely that it hit the loitering Wood in the face and went in. After that, two offside decisions went against us, although seeing them later I have to say that both were correct. Watford didn’t have a strike on goal until the 33rd minute when a fantastic double save from Schmeichel from Lewis McGugan kept the clean sheet intact.
City started the second half as they had finished the first and the deserved second goal came less than ten minutes in when Schlupp refused to be bullied out of the ball, after he was put in by Dyer on the left flank. He sent a low cross into the box and Knockaert – who else! – was there to control the ball and slam it into the net – at the end where he had missed the penalty the last time we were at the Watford ground.
Apparently his over-exuberant celebrations in front of the Leicester fans earned him a yellow card but no City fan would begrudge him that; he was constantly barracked by the Watford fans and this was his answer.
Watford woke up a bit and really should have scored at least one goal. The worst offender was Troy Deeney, who managed to miss an open goal from only a few yards out; Schmeichel had gone walkabout and I couldn’t believe that Deeney had missed – another piece of nemesis as he scored the winning goal in the play-off semi.
City still had time to score a third, when the power of Dyer’s shot was enough to beat the keeper, even though he got a piece of the ball. It was the first time I had seen Taylor-Fletcher, as I was on holiday for the Derby cup game, and his pass to Dyer was excellent. And it was very satisfying to get a clean sheet.
I can’t think of a single player who had a disappointing game and if they continue to play like they did against Watford I will be very confident of success. We might even achieve my dream, of winning the FA Cup!
One slight concern is the number of players, not to mention Nigel Pearson, whose contracts are up for renewal at the end of the season. If we believe half of the stories, other clubs are already beginning to prowl around. I read today that Norwich are interested in Pearson, if they sack Hughton, and Schmeichel is the subject of lots of rumours. There’s always something to worry about!
Leicester: Schmeichel, Moore, Wasilewski, Morgan, Schlupp, Knockaert (Hammond 75), Drinkwater, King, Dyer, Wood (James 67), Nugent (Taylor-Fletcher 82). Subs not used: Hopper, Bakayogo, Miquel, Logan
Watford: Almunia, Doyley (Cassetti 62), Angella, Ekstrand, Anya, Murray (Fabbrini 46), McGugan, McEachran, Pudil (Faraoni 71), Deeney, Forestieri. Subs not used: Battocchio, Acuna, Iriney, Bond
Attendance: 16,011 Referee: Roger East
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