City 0-0 Brighton
City fans went home frustrated on Tuesday night after a 0-0 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion, but remained 10 points clear at the top of League One after MK Dons defeat to Leyton Orient.
Nigel Pearson made one change from the team that began the game against Huddersfield, Dickov replacing the ill Steve Howard up front.
City began ok and had the better of the play in the first 20 minutes, Fryatt having a shot blocked and another straight at Sullivan in the Brighton goal.
In the 28th minute Andy King was unlucky to see his shot rebound off the bar and Fryatt’s follow up header was collected by the keeper. Brighton hesitated to push forward and set themselves up to contest the game in midfield, where City struggled to respond. Cleverley showed some good touches but was in and out of the game and looked far from a replacement for the drive and industry exhibited by Mark Davies before his move to Bolton.
City had some pressure building just before half time but Oakley’s shot was deflected for a corner after Lloyd Dyer had made space for himself well down the left hand side.
Brighton came out the more invigorated for the second half and a scrappy period of play almost lead to a goal when confusion at the back saw Oakley clearing over his own crossbar. Martin had little to do in the City goal though despite the short period of increased pressure and the way Mickey Adams’ side sat back suggested they would be only too pleased to take a point back to the south coast.
Cleverley and King looked overrun at times as Brighton hassled and got behind the ball in midfield. Although Pearson did make a change on 53 minutes this was at the back where Mattock was a straight swap for Bruno Berner. Albion made it difficult for City to get their passing game going and without Howard up front as an outlet they struggled for ideas going forward.
That is not to say they didn’t create chances though, with Fryatt, Dickov and Mattock all having opportunities but never really testing the goalkeeper. Hayles replaced Dickov after 73 minutes but couldn’t make any significant impact.
Oakley moved into the centre for the final minutes, exchanging places with Cleverley, and almost found a way through with a good ball in to Fryatt’s feet in the box in the dying moments of the game. It went over the bar and with it City’s chance to come away with all three points.
A frustrating night, but City go into their next run of 2 games in 4 days unbeaten in the league since November and 10 points clear if not in their best form.
Leicester: Martin, Gilbert, Morrison, Hobbs, Berner (Mattock 52), Oakley, Cleverley, Andy King, Dyer, Fryatt, Dickov (Hayles 73). Subs Not Used: Pentney, Gradel, Chambers.
Brighton: Sullivan, Whing, Hinshelwood, El-Abd, Elphick, Cox (Loft 87), Jarrett, Fraser, Livermore, Forster, Birchall. Subs Not Used: Kuipers, McLeod, Hawkins, Fleetwood.
Attendance: 17,410 Referee: Craig Pawson (Sheffield).
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