West Brom 0 City 1
Report by Kate Thompson
To be honest, this is the most positive thing I can say about the match, as it was far from scintillating – scrappy and error-ridden from both sides. But a mistake by Rondon just before the half-time break enabled Okazaki to put a superb pass through to Vardy who scored an excellent goal that gave Foster in the West Brom goal no chance.
It was the fifth match that West Brom have failed to score in, and it appeared that once they had reached safety, they are just going through the motions – not very fair to their fans who have paid to see a decent football match.
Having said this, it was a feisty affair, with some robust challenges; however both managers appeared to be happy with this and Pulis was quite scathing about the namby-pamby attitude of some players (Sanchez anyone?). Danny Drinkwater was booked for a tackle on Chadli in the 16th minute and Benalouane early in the second half; some pundits felt Danny should have had a red card but in my opinion it was a genuine attempt to get the ball, something that Pulis said, to his credit.
Two West Brom players were also booked, Yacob and Morrison. Somewhat surprisingly, the referee was Mark Clattenburg in what was apparently his last game before he leaves for Saudi Arabia; he let a lot go, including some challenges that appeared unfair.
The team showed one change from the Arsenal game, with Okazaki replacing Ulloa, but although he worked as hard as ever, his impact was minimal and he was replaced in the 67th minute by Ulloa. The other substitution was Andy King for Mahrez in the 81st minute, presumably a tactical change as Vardy went onto the left wing leaving Ulloa in the target man position.
Mahrez continued to frustrate the City fans, as he flattered to deceive yet again, briefly coming to life in the second half but missing two decent opportunities. City only had the one shot on target, but thanks to Vardy, a goal resulted; unfortunately another good run and cross from Vardy in the second half failed to find the onrushing Okazaki.
Schmeichel was somewhat under the cosh for most of the second half but the defence held firm, for a welcome clean sheet, and shielded the keeper well. Perhaps his only real save of any consequence was in the 18th minute when a looping header from Chris Brunt was heading for the top corner until Schmeichel acrobatically tipped it over the bar.
Huth had another good game and the two full-backs worked hard to protect the goal, as did Benalouane (his booking aside). Ndidi and Drinkwater both worked hard but the former in particular was guilty of some wayward passes – he is not the full Kante yet!
Albrighton had another impressive game, tracking back and winning the ball, but man of the match was clearly Vardy who never gave the defenders a moment’s rest, chasing down and winning balls which other players would not have bothered with. It is just as well that he is firing on all cylinders again, as his fellow strikers have contributed very few goals.
Shakespeare won’t admit to being safe yet and mathematically we are not, but it would take something unprecedented for us to be relegated now. However I like Shakespeare’s attitude that the players will try to win the remaining four games, which the fans will appreciate. In my opinion, he should be given the job next season; after all we have form with regard to appointing ‘big names’. None was bigger than Sven-Goran Eriksson and he hardly set the Thames on fire!
Albion: Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Nyom (McClean 60), Livermore, Yacob (Fletcher 69), Brunt, Morrison (Leko 79), Chadli, Rondon. Subs not used: Wilson, Myhill, Harper, Field
Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson, Benalouane, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez (King 81), Drinkwater, Ndidi, Albrighton, Okazaki (Ulloa 67), Vardy. Subs not used: Chilwell, Amartey, Slimani, Zieler, Gray
Attendance: 24,611 Referee: Mark Clattenburg
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