LEEDS UNITED 1 V LEICESTER CITY 2
I came to the game with some optimism after the great game against Southampton. It was good to see Kisnorbo coming back into defence replacing the injured McCarthy but our attack of Hume and Hammond seemed a bit frail against a strong back four of Leeds- how wrong that turned out to be!
Leeds started off at great pace and we were on the back foot for the first ten minutes, with Cresswell going close, and we did not appear to have an outlet in attack to relieve the pressure. Balls continued to go over Hume’s head and he did not have the chance to make use of his pace and skill.
City gradually weathered the storm and Hammond shot over on the turn. There were some tough tackles and Tiatto got his obligatory yellow card in the 14th minute and you wondered whether we would make it through the match with 11 men.
After another Hammond shot went close Williams received an ankle injury in a tackle and had to go off- a great pity because he was starting to control play from midfield. Rob Kelly brought on Andy Welch on the left and put Tiatto into midfield- a master stroke which proved dividends when Tiatto moved onto a move in midfield and hit a belter into the top left corner in the 29th minute. 1-0 to the City and well deserved……
Tiatto scores the opener (picture courtesy of Raymonds/lcfc.com)
The crowd started to get on Leeds back and we created more openings. Josh Low chipped wide from a good position and a great McAuley header from a corner hit the bar. In the middle of this Logan saved well from Healey.
The second half started off well for us. Leeds cleared off the line and we had several free kicks which came to nothing. Hammond was put through on goal in the 53rd minute and fell in a tangle of arms and legs with Kilgallon, who was subsequently sent off. I honestly thought this was a harsh decision and, even though we played against ten men for the rest of the match, we did not really capitalise. From the free kick Hume shot against the post.
The match became end to end at great pace with Leeds desperate to get back. In a mad scramble in City’s goal Richard Stearman acrobatically cleared twice off the line in quick succession. It looked really close that the ball had gone over the line and this proved to be the turning point.
Ian Hume had not had much service all match so far but then started to get into the game as it opened up and, after being played in on the left, coolly shot home. 2-0 to the boys!! However, Leeds desperately continued to pressure City and, from a corner, Butler scored 5 minutes from the end, although it looked like he held down Kisnorbo to head the ball home.
In a crazy last 5 minutes Leeds went gung ho and chances opened up for both Hammond and Maybury to score- but were well saved by the keeper. The match ended 2-1 to City amidst cheers from the away fans and boos from the Leeds supporters.
This was a good result from a rather patched up City side that gave their all throughout the match. Our defence looked really strong throughout. Although our midfield lost its way a bit when Willams went off, everyone played their part, including Andy Welch who continued to run down the left at great pace at every opportunity.
Our attack gave Leeds problems as the match progressed. Hammond’s pace always worried Leeds. He occasionally even controlled the ball!! Hume did what a good striker should do- bury a chance when at last it arrives and, in this form, we are coping well with Matty Fryatt’s absence.
I wonder- can we win three matches in succession. I am just off to the Palace match!!
Leeds: Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey, Douglas, Derry, Johnson (Westlake 90), Healy (Foxe 57), Cresswell (Blake 79), Moore. Subs Not Used: Warner, Richardson.
Sent Off: Kilgallon (55). Booked: Cresswell, Butler, Healy, Douglas, Derry. Goals: Butler 87.
Leicester: Logan, Stearman, Kisnorbo, McAuley, Johansson, Low (Maybury 87), Williams (Welsh 23), Hughes, Tiatto (Sylla 90), Hammond, Hume. Subs Not Used Henderson, O’Grady
Booked: Hughes, Welsh. Goals: Tiatto 29, Hume 81.
Att: 16,477 Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).
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