LEICESTER CITY 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2
Report by Mike King
Having been to West Ham the previous week where I thought the City played very well, despite Konchesky's aberration, with more possession overall and the West Ham keeper Adrian receiving the Man of the Match award due to several superb saves, the visit of Spurs looked like being a close encounter and the possibility that the City could gain 3 valuable points at last in an attempt to close the gap on their fellow Premiership strugglers. Only 2 sides have escaped relegation from the Premiership when bottom of the table at Christmas, let us hope City are the third!
Changes up front saw Vardy dropped to the bench with Ulloa and Nugent up front, the remainder of the team keeping their places. Again almost a full house as the City's supporters continue to remain faithful to their team on a cold and wet Boxing Day fixture.
However, as the game started, disaster ensued in the very first minute. Losing the ball in mid-field, Spurs broke away on City's right flank with Chadli on the ball. Looking up, his pin point pass found ex City loanee Kane on the edge of the 6 yard box, and as Morgan slipped, Kane controlled the ball with his right foot and slotted the ball past Hamer with his left foot into the gaping net. The City faithful were stunned at such an early set back.
Kane celebrated his 15th goal of the season and from then on was the subject of much taunting by the home fans probably because he was having such an excellent season scoring wise, only second to Aguero, although his spell at Leicester was not a huge success.
However, this set back did not deter the City's players who started to play through their mid-field with King and Drinkwater seeing a fair amount of the ball and it was a Drinkwater's excellent defence splitting pass that found Ulloa but he scuffed his shot wide of the right hand post.
Then Drinkwater forced his way through and tried his luck with his left foot from 20 yards but his tame effort went wide of his target. Then Mahrez, who was seeing more of the ball, broke down the right and seeing Ulloa advancing into the 6 yard box, Mahrez found him with an excellent pinpoint cross, only for Ulloa to head the ball against the inside of the post and the ball rebounded to safety. At the start of the season Ulloa undoubtedly would have split the net with such an opportunity.
But the City were playing well and Hamer had little to do as Spurs seemed to be content with their lead and half-time arrived, although Kane should have extended the Spurs lead as he headed wide from 4 yards after a cross by Lamela just before the break. King seemed to be struggling with an injury and was substituted by James at half-time.
The second half started evenly as Mahrez continued his excellent work down the right and he was rewarded with an assist after 49 minutes. Ghosting past Bentaleb, Mahrez's ball was fired into the near post and despite Fazio's close attention, Ulloa squeezed the ball home at the near post past Lloris for a well deserved equaliser and his 7th goal of the season.
After 54 minutes, the City almost took the lead. Schlupp went past several players but was upended 25 yards out in the centre of the pitch. Drinkwater and Mahrez both fancied their chances, but it was the latter who took control and his kick hit the cross bar and rebounded to safety much to Spurs delight. It deserved a goal but when you're down…….
Schlupp then had an effort from a narrow angle palmed away by Lloris as the City went all out for the winner, but a needless tackle on Kane by James 33 yards out on the left, with no apparent danger, ended with Erikson firing a curling ball home past Hamer at his near post. Blame must be with Hamer but later saw 2 City players in a wall parted which didn't seem to help.
As rain and sleet fell, the Foxes kept going and were the better team. Drinkwater tried his luck and Mahrez fired over the bar. Infact Schlupp and Mahrez raided down both flanks and then Pearson replaced Nugent with Vardy who immediately had a chance saved by Lloris who was becoming Man of the Match.
Then Vardy's pace on the left saw him go into the penalty area and as he prepared to cross, Vertonghen took him out what looked like a certain penalty, but City's claims were waived away by referee Swarbrick whose hand motions indicated Vertonghen had played the ball – a terrible error as seen on MOD later. Vardy gained many penalties due to his pace the previous season and perhaps he is gaining a reputation (eg Chelsea players!).
Ulloa received the ball in the danger area and with great control attempted to turn the Spurs players but his efforts came to nothing. Mahrez had another effort palmed away by Lloris after 88 minutes but as the ball fell to Schlupp he couldn't get his shot away.
Then another run by Mahrez saw the ball fall to Morgan at the far post and what looked like a simple tap in the ball agonisingly rolled towards the goal only for Lloris to smother the ball. A Morgan header was then tipped by Lloris for a corner as City put on even more pressure with no end result.
Then in the 89th minute, Vardy broke clear down the middle and as Lloris came out to edge of the box, Vardy went for the ball but collided with Lloris. An inevitable yellow card followed for Vardy bringing a one match ban but his closing down of opposition players does not seem to be bringing the rewards as last season due to the over officious referees.
As time ran out, Hamer saved an Erikson effort but the final whistle came with another City defeat in a game that City were the better team, had more chances but as recent games have shown, Lady Luck has deserted them. In successive games the opposition keeper has been MOM, the chances are there but not being taken.
Again, City had 11 corners but nothing ever comes from them as the opposition all seem to have taller players who can win the ball easily in the danger areas and then manage to clear the ball to safety.
Mahrez had a good game and Ulloa did well up front controlling the ball well when played to him but unfortunately receives little support. Simpson and Wasilewski did well as did Drinkwater in patches, but the winless run continues and it's off to Hull where City have a good record but Hull had a good away win at Sunderland so it will be a difficult game to get any reward.
CITY: Hamer, Konchesky (Knockaert 83), Wasilewski, Morgan (c), Simpson, Schlupp, King (James 46), Drinkwater, Mahrez, Ulloa, Nugent (Vardy 75). SUBS NOT USED: De Laet, Hammond, Cambiasso, Smith
SPURS: Lloris (c), Walker, Rose, Vertonghen, Lamela, Kane (Paulinho 84), Fazio, Chadli (Soldado 63), Eriksen, Stambouli (Mason 46), Bentaleb. SUBS NOT USED: Chiriches, Vorm, Townsend, Davies
ATTENDANCE: 31,870 REFEREE: Neil Swarbrick
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