Bolton 0 Foxes 1
Match Report by Graham Tracey
Leicester secured the championship title on an unforgettable night of emotional celebrations on the scenic outskirts of Bolton. Having clinched automatic promotion on a day we hadn’t played, the chance to reach our second target in front of our fans triggered a massive release of joy on an off the pitch, and it was well after 10.00 pm when the players left the pitch and we vacated the otherwise long-deserted stadium.
Nigel Pearson, who gets more relaxed by the week, was thrown up and down by the players, luckily avoiding another post-match trip to hospital, and a team run and dive in front of the fans was performed, before champagne was sprayed and boots and gloves were thrown into the stand.
The bond between players and fans was terrific, and I couldn’t remember feeling this good even during the triumphs of the Martin O’Neill era, probably because we have been starved of success for so long. Indeed it would be interesting to know how many of our normal home attendance have never seen us play in the top flight.
Many fans will be aware that we had never won at this ground before. It was the scene of one of our most calamitous performances back in 2001, when Dave Bassett’s side contrived to draw a match in which we were 2-0 up and playing against 9 men. The contrast between that belief-shorn rag-bag of players and pub team manager, and our current well-oiled coherent group on top of their games, could not be greater.
The match was typical of how strong we have become over the second half of the season. There were two changes, with James returning to replace Hammond and Konchesky coming in for the injured Schlupp. As has become the norm, the changes were seamless.
Bolton are an improving team, comfortably finishing in mid-table despite barely winning in the first third of the season, but we dominated the game from the outset, winning a string of early corners. However, it was difficult to get behind the Trotters’ defence, and the pattern of the game became one of patient and probing Leicester passing and possession.
James in particular had the best game I have seen him play for us, and whilst Knockaert was sometimes ineffective through simply trying too hard, what impressed me most was the confidence so many of our players showed in retaining the ball at close quarters and waiting for the right moment to press the button in the final quarter. This was really an attribute that will serve us well in the Premiership.
We couldn’t make the breakthrough before half-time. Mahrez’s shot was nearly spilled into his net by Bogdan, who then made a flying save from Drinkwater’s drive, before James’ precision shot lacked the power to beat the keeper. However, I am sure the message in the dressing room mirrored what I felt – keep it up and we will make the breakthrough.
Early in the second half, Knockaert’s drive was turned away at full stretch, and a decent shout for a handball penalty from his cross was rejected. But the goal came just after the hour, within 5 minutes of a double substitution, with both players combining to memorable effect. Wood cleverly stayed onside and retrieved a long goal kick, and when he saw Dyer arriving in support, the long-serving winger cut inside and unleashed a thunderbolt on his weaker right foot into the roof of the net in front of our end.
From then on I wanted the clock to run down as quickly as possible, so that the celebrations could begin. Now that they had to score, Bolton began to carve out opportunities, with two shots being screwed wide from good positions, and Schmeichel twice saving at the home side burst into the area. At the other end, Wood was proving effective, forcing another good save, but the game could not be secured as we couldn’t apply the finishing touch.
Throughout the match there had been the chant of “when Leicester win, we’re on the pitch”, which changed to “in 10 minutes, we’re on the pitch” etc as full time drew closer. A double line of orange stewards and yellow police lined up in anticipation of an almighty game of British bulldog, which made an invasion impossible, but which did set the scene for the prolonged celebrations by the players.
It was especially memorable for me as I have lived a couple of miles from Bolton’s ground for the past 10 years. It was surreal to go into the Tesco Extra next to the Reebok for some booze afterwards and be high-fiving fellow Leicester fans doing the same. In the car park, ‘we are the champions’ was blaring from a stereo, and many fans were waiting by the team coach for one last chance to salute the players. I am sure everyone had a great journey home and I was not the only one who found it difficult to get to sleep through high spirits.
I remain convinced that most of this speedy squad are well equipped to deliver in the Premiership, but it will be good to see an additional quality player brought in to bolster defence, midfield and attack. Meantime, I am sure we will press on and hopefully cap a season that will never be repeated by breaking the 100 point barrier on the last day of the season.
FOXES: Schmeichel, 8, De Laet 8, Konchesky 8, Morgan 8, Wasilewski 8, Knockaert 7, James 9, Drinkwater 9, Mahrez 7, King 6, Nugent 7. Subs: Dyer 9, Wood 8, Hammond 6
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