Leicester City 3 Blackpool 1
Report by Mike King
After 15 league games unbeaten and three 3 – 0 victories in a row, the latest game at the King Power against struggling Blackpool, on paper, looked an easy game and would enable the City to continue their relentless surge towards the Premiership, but in the back of everyone's mind must be "all good runs come to an end at sometime".
Manager Pearson, as expected, selected the same team that easily beat Barnsley on Tuesday. Blackpool's manager, Barry Ferguson, made a few changes, with Fuller warming the bench despite getting the winner against Millwall and is Blackpool's top scorer. A tactic for sure!
As expected, the City started well and exerted pressure on the visitor's defence, but the Seasiders dealt with the expected pressure well. Schlupp and Mahrez were combining well on the left and enabled James a shooting chance that was blocked. Knockaert, when well placed to set up a chance, decided to shoot from a narrow angle with the side netting feeling the force of his drive.
Blackpool had come with a defensive tactic, not a surprise, as when the City attacked, they had 5 players across a line of defence, 4 in midfield with a loan striker, probably hoping to catch the City on the break or from a set piece as they had a team of tall players.
A chance then fell to Nugent, but his weak effort went wide, his head was down and he seems to be going through a lean patch in form, but he did produce a chance for fellow striker Vardy but he was ruled off-side as he rolled the ball into the net. A weak shot by Mahrez after a fine run gave Blackpool's keeper Gilks a problem as the ball nearly went under his body into the net.
However, Blackpool had an excellent opportunity to take the lead. A corner on the right found an unmarked Bishop at the far post, but his weak headed effort went yards wide. The City were on top and an excellent through ball by Drinkwater found De Laet wide on the goal line and his powerful cross was met by Vardy. The net bulged, but as the crowd cheered for an opening goal, the ball had infact hit the rear support post and hit the back of the net – the wrong side of it! Even the TV commentator was fooled (no surprise there!).
Then a repeat of a move at Barnsley then resulted. Mahrez, who was seeing plenty of the ball, put through a defence splitting pass to find Vardy, who ran on with only keeper Gilks to beat, but deciding not to round Gilks, tried to slide the ball into the far corner only to find his effort go inches wide much to Vardy's frustration.
Then, 5 minutes before the break, the opening goal arrived. Robinson, in front of the East stand, sent a long throw into the City's 6 yard box. Schmeichel's attempted punch missed the ball as it fell to Goodwillie 3 yards out and he tapped in for the opener. As the half-time whistle arrived, the City's faithful were asking the question "Is the run coming to an end?"
No changes from either side as the City went all out for the equaliser. The poor referee Miller then denied the City a penalty as Nugent was upended in the box, but then yellow carded Vardy for a silly tackle as the ball was running out of play, his enthusiasm getting the better of him as many times this season as his card count testifies.
Then another long throw found Goodwillie but his far post effort went wide as he claimed a corner kick. Then the City's equaliser finally arrive after 15 minutes, when Mahrez collected the ball wide right outside the penalty area. Jinking past a defender, he curled an unstoppable drive past Gilks into the far corner of the net for a fabulous goal much to the home crowd's delight.
Vardy then went past 2 defenders and as he was upended in the box, referee Miller waved play on much to Vardy's and the crowds disgust. Is Vardy getting a reputation?
With the City well on top, Fuller entered the fray, but surely the City would soon conjure up the winner. Nugent had a close range header well saved by a diving Gilks. Dobbie and Osbourne came on for the visitors, then Vardy departed for Taylor-Fletcher who soon showed his experience with some nice touches.
Gilks then saved from Knockaert as the tide of City's attacking play would surely bring a goal. Out of sorts Nugent was then replaced by Phillips. Then good work by Drinkwater and James ended with a wide pass to Mahrez. A Blackpool defender was close at hand as Mahrez jinked one way, then another, but as he got to the goal line, a fine looping cross to the far post found the head of Morgan who nodded the ball home despite Gilks's efforts.
It was now all the Foxes as wave after wave of attacking football put tremendous pressure on Blackpool's defence and surely a third goal would arrive. A cross from the right found Taylor-Fletcher and his neat flick found Phillips at the far post and he duly hammered the ball home from 10 yards. No celebration form the ex Blackpool striker.
Hammond then replaced Knockaert. A fourth goal nearly resulted as a fine run by Drinkwater who saw Phillips unmarked at the far post but Gilks saved the cross low down to deny the ageing striker.
As the final whistle blew, 3 more points were in the bag with an 80 point haul and 17 points ahead of third place. Mahrez was crowned, deservedly, as MOM. He is proving to be a great signing and seems better than Knockaert in alot of what he does around the pitch, creating chances for the strikers and now proving he has an excellent shot.
The rest of the team worked hard, Schmeicel had yet another easy game without a save to make showing the 4 defenders in front of him are doing their jobs well, with Schlupp cementing his position at left back. He has great ability, especially in the air when balls are pumped down the line, but also combines well with players in front of him.
The next test is at Blackburn next Saturday, and as long as we keep Rhodes away from the ball there is no reason why a further 3 points are obtained and the great run of points is extended. Details of Season Tickets and prices in the post? Probably when promotion is mathematically secured.
CITY: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Wasilewski, Schlupp, James, Knockaert (Hammond 89), Mahrez, Drinkwater, Vardy (Taylor-Fletcher), Nugent (Phillips 79). Subs not used: King, Moore, Logan, Wood
BLACKPOOL: Gilks, McMahon, Robinson, Perkins, MacKenzie (c), Broadfoot, Bishop (Dobbie 76), Halliday (Osbourne 68), Basham, Cathcart, Goodwillie (Fuller 64). Subs not used: Davies, Haroun, Keogh, Angel,
ATTENDANCE: 27,669 REFEREE: Nigel Miller
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