Manchester City 4 Leicester City 2
After the disappointing result at Preston last Saturday when 2 valuable points were dropped in the league with an injury time equaliser, the Foxes attention was drawn towards this FA Cup replay at Manchester City's Eastlands stadium on a cold January night.
Passing several City Fan's cars and coaches on the way to the ground, it was obvious the Foxes players were going to be well supported, as it is not very often we travel to a Premiership ground, and with Manchester City having been top of the Premiership the previous weekend, could we beat them on their own patch?
Recommended to use an official Car Park, after 3 attempts we arrived at Car Park 2, paying £10 for the privilege! Something has to pay their inflated wages. It took 40minutes to get out after the game. However, moan over, viewing the stadium for the first time, it made a great impression, with impressive lighting and easy access to the surrounding areas where plenty of food was available. The nearby Asda proved a cheaper alternative! Nice chips!
Entering the stadium and reaching our seats at Level 2, it was a spectacular setting, the pitch looked immaculate and supporters from both sides trickled into their seats. High-lights of the first drawn game were played on the 2 large screens. useful for team news, etc.
With Vassell injured and Yakubu unable to play, what would be the team Sven would start with? With one change, unsurprisingly, Steve Howard started up front, as in the first game Man. City definitely struggled when good balls were floated into their box. Bamba, after 2 excellent games in the Championship, was alongside Jack Hobbs. Tevez wasn't, unfortunately, rested and Ya Ya Toure started with Viera in mid-field with Milner, Johnson and Silva. Kompany partnered Lescott in defence. 4 England Internationals with another on the bench so Mancini was taking the game seriously and wanted victory for sure….
Referee Mark Halsey started the game, the Foxes kicking away from their 6000 fans who were making a terrific noise, chants regularly taunting the multi-millionaire's supporters.
The Foxes started well, passing the ball, and after 3 minutes Dyer set up King whose shot was just deflected over the bar for a corner. Bamba was well marked this time but still managed a goal bound header that was easy for Hart to save!
Minutes later, Johnson looked well off side has he broke through the City defence, but Weale saved well to keep the scores level. It was now end to end and Gallagher set up King but again Hart collected the ball. Who was going to open the scoring?
The answer was in 14 minutes. Tevez collected the ball on the City's left outside the box, Hobbs made a poor attempt at a tackle, as 2 City defenders surrounded Tevez he gained a lucky rebound and fired the ball into the far corner of the net past a diving Weale from 15yards. Pure class from Tevez.
But 5 minutes later, spurred on by the City's faithful, the scores were level. Dyer collected the ball on the right, used his speed to run into the box and was challenged by 2 defenders, falling to the ground. Referee Halsey hesitated but much to the City Fan's delight, pointed to the spot. Half-time screen replay made his decision seem generous. Gallagher went through his routine and duly sent Hart the wrong way for the equaliser. Wild Foxes cheers, the stand vibrated.
The Foxes were now on a high and chances from Wellens and Dyer were deflected for corners. City were playing well, but then Weale had to be alert as Toure fired in a shot. Gallagher went down twice as he had a problem and was substituted by Moussa, a definite turning point in the game, although Moussa did well down the left gaining a corner, and as his cross came in, Hart gathered at the second attempt.
The City's heads seemed to be down and they lost concentration and were severely punished in the 37th and 38th minutes. Good work by Silva forced a good save by Weale but he was unfortunate when the rebound fell to Viera at the far post for a simple tap in. Silva then put Johnson in and he fired the ball into the net. The Foxes faithful were stunned as the 2 goals were in front of them, but they never stopped chanting, hoping the City's players would respond.
Man. City were on the rampage and Tevez ran through and was thwarted by Weale with a brave save at the Argentinean's feet. Dyer had another good run but his shot found row Z, then Moussa's shot was gathered by Hart as half-time arrived.
Wellens, for some reason, didn't appear after the break, Oakley deputising. Was Wellens away? Naughton was beaten for pace by Kolarov but his shot went wide. Tackles were flying in, mostly by Man. City players and the Foxes had several free kicks, with referee Halsey keeping his yellow cards in his pocket. Tevez tangled with a City player, the referee went to chat with his assistant, and with chants of "off, off, off" he spoke to both players without even a caution.
Abe was then felled in the box but claims for a penalty were waved away by Halsey. A Tevez shot went wide. Halsey then did award a penalty as Tevez went past Hobbs and was brought down in the box. Again no caution or a red card. Some idiot came on the pitch, hugged Hart and 2 other players with the stewards very slow to react, eventually being escorted off the pitch. Weale then made an excellent save from Tevez's penalty kick, the ball running clear. Weale was having a good game and then saved a Johnson effort.
Moussa gained a free kick that Bamba couldn't gain any force with his header. Kompany fouled Abe but the free kick was cleared and in the 69th minute, Sven took Howard off and Derby bound Waghorn entered the fray. Dyer won a free kick 25 yards out, Waghorn took it as he hit the wall, we were waiting to catch it in the stands. Gallagher was badly missed. Then Dyer was up ended in the box, it looked more of a penalty than the one he gained but the referee waved claims away, as Dyer and Viera squared up to each other, a mis-match but at last 2 yellow cards were shown by Halsey.
The Foxes were then back in the game with 10 minutes to go. Abe put Dyer in and as he brushed off Lescott's and Kompany's challenges, Dyer neatly put the ball past Hart. The Foxes went all out for the equaliser, as Man. City looked vulnerable. But in the 89th minute, as the Foxes pushed forward for the equaliser and extra time, Man. City broke away, Kolarov firing in from 20 yards past a diving Weale. Game and tie over.
Time ticked away, the final whistle came and Leicester's FA Cup run came to an end. No trip then to neighbours Notts County, but now to concentrate on getting to the play offs, with high flying Millwall at the Walker's on Saturday, with hopefully Wellens and Gallagher available for selection.
In all a good game against quality opposition and Sven's team did not disgrace themselves in both games, but if Premiership football beckons the next or the following seasons, it is clear the new owners will have to spend, spend. spend – just like Manchester City.
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Lescott, Kompany, Milner, Ya Ya Toure, Johnson, Viera, Silva, Tevez. Subs: Given, Boyata, Kolo Toure, Barry, de Jong, Jo.
Leicester City: Weale, Naughton, Berner, Hobbs, Bamba, Wellens, King, Abe, Dyer, Gallagher, Howard. Subs: Logan, Waghorn, Oakley, Moussa, N'Guessan, Neilson, Teixeira
.Referee: M. Halsey Crowd: 27,755
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