Leicester 0 West Bromwich Albion 1
Report by Chris Griffin
How quickly things change. Just a few weeks ago Leicester fans were basking in the mid September glow of two consecutive wins against Stoke and Manchester United. After yesterday’s defeat to West Bromwich the record since the United win reads one point from five games: two goals scored and eight conceded. Manager Pearson judged Leicester to be “slightly unlucky” given the freakish nature of the Cambiasso own goal which gave the Baggies the points. Fair comment, but the decline needs to be brought to a halt and quickly.
Wasilewski came into the back four for Moore. Ulloa, recovering from injury, started on the bench so Nugent partnered Vardy. Cambiasso returned to play in front of the back four.
There was very little between the sides during the first half. Vardy was Leicester’s most prominent threat, latching onto a Nugent pass at the start of the game and forcing a corner. Leicester edged the possession and the territory but created few clear-cut chances despite winning several corners. Drinkwater drove wide following one corner; Vardy went down in the penalty area following a challenge from behind but referee Attwell was not interested; Vardy then found himself in space with his back to goal but his overhead kick lacked power and direction.
Following another corner Morgan sent a low header wide of the upright. Frustration followed a long de Laet throw when the ensuing flicked on header bounced invitingly on the six yard line with no Leicester player on hand to take advantage.
At the other end Sessegnon and Berahino showed glimpses of lively combination work. Berahino found space for himself on the edge of box but Schmeichel reacted smartly to make the save. Good work between Sessegnon and Berahino led to Brunt shooting over the bar just before the half time whistle.
Albion’s goal came at the start of the second half. Brunt’s incisive pass into the inside left channel gave Berahino the chance to cross from the bye-line. Morgan headed the cross away from goal but straight onto the retreating Cambiasso and the ball rebounded into the City net.
City continued to edge the possession and the application was there but there was little guile. Only Cambiasso seemed to be focused on trying to pick a quality pass, as he did with one superb ball to Nugent on the right. Nugent’s hard struck cross flashed across the Albion goal but out of reach of the advancing Vardy.
With twenty minutes left Ulloa came on for Nugent with fans hoping he would provide another focal point to the attack to support Vardy. The Argentinian made an immediate impact. His good work in the right corner set up City’s best chance for King but his header, although firm, went straight to Foster who dealt with it comfortably.
Wood replaced Vardy for the last ten minutes. City continued to move the ball forward to the two front men but little threat materialised. Lescott, in particular, dealt confidently with a succession of high balls. Some unsubtle Albion time-wasting did little to improve the mood of the City fans. The game ended with a shot from Powell, who had replaced Drinkwater, missing by a country mile.
In the stands the constant questions among the City fans were “Where’s the width?” and “Where’s Mahrez?” He may have defensive limitations, but Mahrez is the player with the individual attacking flair to beat a man and to make and take chances. In tight games he can be the difference.
On the right de Laet certainly got forward but all too often the cross into the box was delayed through City players making one or two passes too many, giving the Albion defenders plenty of time to set themselves in secure defensive positions. On the left Konchesky rarely ventured forward.
As several fans commented, it takes a more varied game-plan to score against well-organised, hard working and “Premiership-streetwise” teams like Albion.
Leicester City Schmeichel; de Laet; Wasilewski ; Morgan; Konchesky; Cambiasso; . Drinkwater (Powell – 81' ); James; King ; Nugent (Ulloa – 68' ); (Wood – 81' ). Substitutes Hammond; Powell ; Moore; Ulloa; Mahrez ; Smith; Wood
West Bromwich Albion ; Foster ; Wisdom; Dawson; Lescott; Pocognoli (Gamboa – 91'); Morrison; Gardner Booked; Dorrans; Sessegnon (Yacob – 81' ); Brunt; Berahino (Anichebe – 88' ). Substitutes Yacob; Anichebe; Myhill; Gamboa; Mulumbu; McAuley; Samaras
Ref: Stuart Attwell
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