City 1 Burnley 1
Report by Colin Hall
Leicester City's dismal run of December results, which has become almost a tradition in recent years, continued, as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by fellow promotion hopefuls Burnley.
Following the defeats at Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton, Nigel Pearson promised to liven up his side, and kept his word by making four changes to the starting eleven, Wasilewski, Miquel, Hammond and King were replaced by De Laet, Moore, James and Knockaert.
Despite the reduction in ticket prices, large swathes of empty seats were still in evidence at kick-off, suggesting that sections of the fanbase regard the impending League Cup clash with Manchester City as the priority. A record of 10 points from the last seven games – far from title, or even promotion form – suggests that elements within the dressing room appear equally distracted by the cup run.
However City started this clash in spirited fashion, pinning the visitors in their own half for long spells. Knockaert produced the first significant effort on goal with a fierce 20-yard drive which Clarets' keeper Heaton could only gather at the second attempt.
The breakthrough was only slightly delayed, though, as minutes later Vardy was sent sprawling in the Burnley area after a challenge from former Foxes loanee Mee. Referee Andy D'Urso instantly pointed to the penalty spot and Nugent, showing no ill-effects from his recent aberration against Forest, coolly sent Heaton the wrong way to give City the lead.
Although enjoying far more possession and territory than the opposition, City were unable to extend the advantage before the break and indeed came close to losing it, as a rare Burnley break saw Ings head past Schmeichel only for the ball to rebound from the frame of the goal.
If this attempt served as a warning against the danger of complacency in the home defence, it was not heeded. Minutes after the restart, another deep cross found Ings unmarked. This time he was able to take a touch before firing home the leveller.
City, now struggling to regain composure, came close to conceding a second goal as a horrendously-reckless back-pass by De Laet left Vokes clear. To the relief of home fans, though, Schmeichel was alert enough to close the striker down and block his shot.
Although the visitors would create no further clear chances during the remainder of the match, they did produce in abundance many of the qualities that have served them so well this season, pressing, blocking and spoiling at every opportunity. City struggled to regain the rhythm that had served them well in the first half, but the pace of Dyer remained a constant menace for the visitors.
Indeed the winger was the source of City's two closest efforts to regain the lead, first with a cross nodded wastefully wide by Vardy from close range, and then in the closing stages setting up Knockaert for a deflected drive which Heaton clawed away at his near post.
Overall, however, City did not quite do enough to deserve anything more than a point from this game, lacking discipline and creativity in key areas and at crucial times. Once again, as so often during this campaign, the performance was a combination of one good half and one indifferent one.
With high-flying Manchester City, new Championship table-toppers QPR and perennial bogey side Reading awaiting the Foxes in the next three games, Pearson knows the team needs to raise their game very quickly in order to avoid falling into the same slump which cast such a blight on last season.
December could prove a defining month in both the club's season and the career of its current manager.
Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet (Wasilewski 70), Morgan, Moore, Konchesky, Knockaert, Drinkwater, James, Dyer, Nugent (Taylor-Fletcher 69), Vardy (Schlupp 83). Subs not used: Hammond, King, Miquel, Logan.
Burnley:Heaton, Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mee, Kightly (Treacy 72), Jones, Marney, Arfield, Vokes, Ings. Subs not used: Lafferty, Stanislas, Cisak, Edgar, Stock, Long.
Attendance: 23,143 Referee: Andy D'Urso
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