City 2 Cardiff 1
It was a fairly dull and apprehensive mood travelling up to Leicester along the A1 and A47, knowing the Foxes were still seeking their first win of the season, but with the next 2 games against the 2 top teams in the Championship, both undefeated so far, it was not going to be easy.
Against Coventry, reports suggested that the City should have won the game in the second half, but due to poor finishing, despite the number of opportunities, goals were still being difficult to find.
Upon arrival at the Walkers, the many Cardiff coaches had arrived bringing their supporters up from the Principality, and they seemed in confident mood, probably seeing their hosts were anchored second from bottom in the table. Could the Foxes obtain their first win of the season and exact revenge for the penalty shoot-out in Cardiff that denied us a visit to the new Wembley?
Would Bellamy be playing? He was missing on Saturday against Pearson's Hull City, as were fellow strikers Bothroyd and Chopra, but the Blues still managed a victory to keep them at the top of the pile. Manager Dave Jones made only one change, with Rae coming in as their "Star" strikers were still missing….
As the teams emerged from the tunnel, without the usual prompts from the Birch, manager Sousa had made only one change, bringing in Steve Howard up front for the possibly departing Matt Fryatt (are we really going to loan him out to local rivals Derby?). As Waghorn's name was announced, making his home debut after returning and signing from the Black Cats, he was loudly applauded. New signing Abe (a Japanese International) and Vitor (Benfica) were both on the bench giving it an International feel.
Winning the toss, Cardiff kicked off with the East Standers soon in fine voice, chanting and singing the National Anthem and England, England, England. A response of Bread of Heaven never materialised! Fine Welsh voices?
A fairly even start to the game, with both sides playing through the middle, Waghorn starting on the far right and Dyer on the left. Could Neilson hold the impressive Whittingham who had an excellent game on Saturday, mesmorising the away team's defence? Dyer hardly had a kick for 10 minutes, but when he did receive the ball, he showed full back McNaughton his pace but his cross from the line evaded all the City players who were slow to react.
Jason Koumas shot from distance but on loan Ikeme gathered the ball. Wellens also shot without troubling the Cardiff keeper, but the Foxes were starting to pass the ball well infront of the East Stand with one move resulting in Waghorn crossing but Howard just missed the cross.
Howard, as usual, was being fouled every time the ball reached him in the air, but the man in black didn't want to know, although Howard did have a word with the official when Cardiff gained a corner that thankfully was cleared – by Howard!
Again, a neat move on the right and good work by Waghorn who craftily beat the left back, hit the line but his high cross just evaded Howard. Ikeme then handled well from a Whittingham corner, but then Howard did eventually obtain a decision 30 yards out and a determined Waghorn took the free kick but nothing resulted.
After 25 minutes, the game took an unlikely twist. Cardiff attacked down their left, the ball reaching left back Lee Naylor by the touch line. Surprisingly, he crossed the ball as no Cardiff forward was in the box, and much to his delight, the ball sailed over Ikeme into the far corner of the net. Did he mean it? I think his blushes answered the question, but the visitors were in the lead, the Foxes faithful stunned by the opener. When you're down you're down we thought!
Cardiff were now passing the ball well and a shot was saved at the second attempt by Ikeme. The City were determined to get the equaliser and should have done on 2 occasions. A Waghorn corner pinged around in the box, the ball falling to Howard, who, despite his shirt being pulled off his back, managed to head the ball towards the goal from 6 yards, but the Cardiff defender headed off the line.
3 minutes later, Ikeme's throw found Dyer clear on the left. His pace took him past the ageing McNaughton, the cross was excellent, but Waghorn, coming in at the far post, managed to make a simple tap in from 2 yards difficult and it ended up the wrong side of the post.
Half-time arrived and as the players emerged, no changes were evident. City kicked off, Waghorn went on a run and his shot was deflected wide as the Foxes pushed for the equaliser. Waghorn was shooting on sight whether in open play or from free kicks but his efforts were all wide of the target.
But, after 53 minutes, we were level. Good work on the right found Wellens, who was in space, he looked up and put in an excellent cross that found the advancing Andy King. His header found the net past keeper Marshall. Yes!
Minutes later, another cross found King again, but what looked a simpler effort, his header ended wide. Leicester were now playing very well and were attacking in waves in an effort to find the winner. Howard was winning more in the air and also controlling the ball well and setting up more attacks, and one resulted in Dyer shooting just wide.
The Foxes were on top as several efforts came along, with an improving Oakley volley from 25yards stinging Marshall's hands, followed by another Waghorn effort that Marshall saved well. Will the winner come? Yes, after 74 minutes, Neilson, who impressed throughout, found Wellens, and for the second time he found King who swept the ball past Marshall, much to the home fan's delight.
Cardiff were always trying hard but Whittingham, thankfully, was kept at bay as Manager Jones shuffled his pack, but the City defence and Ikeme were hardly bothered and any crosses were easily dealt with. The defenders probably had their best game so far this season and surely Sousa must stick with last season's back 4 and let them gain further confidence.
With 12 minutes to go, Dyer should have made it 3-1. The Cardiff keeper through the ball out, but unfortunately his defenders were sleeping, Dyer collected the ball on the right, cut in unchallenged into the box, but what seemed a certain goal, Dyer managed to find the outside of the post, the easy chance went begging.
Abe replaced King (his value increasing every game), who had run himself into the ground and Gallagher replaced Waghorn, but the momentum continued, and Hobbs just cleared the ball several times for throw ins rather than trying anything fancy. If in doubt…….
Cardiff posed little threat, except for a Burke shot that went wide, and as 90 minutes arrived, the board went up with 5 extra minutes showing – where did that come from? Anyway, no real threat arose, as cheers echoed around as the City players passed closely amongst themselves and as the final whistle blew, 3 very welcome points were in the bag.
A fantastic second half fight back and many signs that Sousa's passing game was evident. He must have been relieved to obtain his first victory in the League and probably headed home for a welcome glass of celebration Port!
Bring on Mr. Warnock's Londoners – if we play again as tonight they will not find it so easy – we hope!
Teams:-
City: Ikeme, Neilson, Morrison, Hobbs, Berner, Wellens, Oakley, King (Abe), Dyer, Howard, Waghorn (Gallagher). Subs (unused) : Logan, Vitor, Moreno, Moussa, Fryatt.
Cardiff: Marshall, McNaughton, Hudson, Gyepes, Naylor, McPhail, Rae, Whittingham, Burke ,Keogh, Koumas (Wildig). Subs (not used): Heaton, Blake, Quinn, Matthews, Jarvis, Taiwo.
Referee: K. Evans Attendance: 20,510
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