Crystal Palace 0 City 1
South East London, cold and clear. A parading Eagle and a big Sky TV screen. No team news announced to discuss, the Palace fans turned up late. The visitors played Solano at right back instead of the injured Brown/Bruce from Saturday.
City settled quickly. They probed the left side; Gallagher missed twice at the back post from crosses. Berner was positive and advanced. Claude Davis went through King – booked. Solano drove the central free kick just over the bar. Oakley narrowly missed also from distance.
Leicester’s midfield three: King, Oakley, Wellens were fluid and flexible. Dyer hard working; Gallagher a little wasteful. Hobbs did not look as comfortable as against Cardiff last Saturday.
Then controversy! Palace cleared to touch left after a corner. The referee went to consult opposite Assistant, Morrison clearly angry, Waghorn hurt. A long consultation, then a straight red for big Palace defender, Claude Davis. An untidy end to the half, City on top – yellow for Waghorn…..
Both managers reacted to the sending off. Eagle’s Hart shoring up his defence; Foxes’ Pearson pushing Solano and Gallagher forward. In a home-away reversal Palace played deep, seeking the breakaway.
In the first quarter of the second half City played their best football. A man advantage and a deep defence gave space. They passed quickly, moving the ball side to side. All was purposeful, opportunities created – then the lead. Dyer in space on the right, crossed hard and low. Waghorn swept in a low shot – Palace goalie Speroni saved to his right. Berner smashed the rebound home from eight yards (53 mins). A deserved lead, followed by some matador football, long sequences of Arsenal type passing. Further chances created but missed.
Then a reversal in the shape of the match! Having to chase the game Palace re-energised, pressing Leicester’s defence and midfield. The visitors ceded possession too easily and the home team made chances. City goalie Weale was secure, twice spectacularly so.
The substitution of Howard for Waghorn on 63 minutes, was an influence on the change in the pattern of the game. The mobile movement and ‘hurray’s’ for the away fans at Leicester’s passing game dried up. With Howard up front City became predictable, one dimensional. N’Guessan arrived as sub for the tiring Dyer (78 minutes) and City held on. Cue much relief and pleasure at a vital three point away win, celebrated with discrete clenched fist salutes from several Foxes.
City now go fourth on goal difference, a game in hand in Swansea who are fifth, with testing successive home games to come. Their defence is solid and midfield creative, their style pleasing on the eye. Leicester are well disciplined (in shape and personal control) and very focussed. They clearly have a strong team spirit. Pearson’s targets must include the play-offs, a real opportunity and unpredictable adventure as many City fans from the O’Neil 90s know!
City: Weale; Solano, Hobbs, Morrison, Berner, Oakley, A King, Wellens, Gallagher, Waghorn, Dyer. Subs: Logan, Neilson, McGivern, Howard (63 for Waghorn), Adams (85 for Gallagher), N'Guessan (78 for Dyer), Kermorgant.
Booked: Waghorn.
Crystal Palace: Speroni; Clyne, Hill, Derry, Ambrose, Danns, Andrew, Lee, Butterfield, Ertl, Davis. Subs: John, Carle, Scannell (78 for Ambrose), Hills (46 for Lee), Lawrence (46 for Clyne) Djilali, N'Diaye.
Booked: Ertl, Davis Sent Off: Davis (straight red)
Referee: S Tanner. Attendance: 12,721.
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