Carlisle 2 City 5
Report by Kate Thompson
It was a very long way to Carlisle (c 220 miles from Leicester and I live another 80 miles south of there) and for a while I wondered if it had been a good idea, especially as it entailed an overnight stay. City started very slowly and it looked like it might be another of those days that we remember from last season.
A mistake by Danns led to Carlisle scoring in the 16th minute but fortunately City not only equalised with a first goal for Chris Wood in the 38th minute but went on the rampage in the second half. Perhaps it’s a new tactic – give the opposition a goal so that the players have to up their game!
Wood’s first goal came when he weaved past half the Carlisle defence; his second came from the penalty spot after Vardy had been upended in the box, and he completed his hat trick four minutes later.
Before his second goal Dyer, made captain for the match, scored a screamer after out-pacing the chasing defender; he then unselfishly teed up Knockaert for a simple tap in.
In truth City could have scored double the number they did and it is to their credit that they continued to press forward even though the game was dead and buried midway through the second half.
I was surprised that we only had ten shots on target as I would have estimated at least 20, and I was reminded of Peter Shilton once complaining that he was the ‘Aunt Sally’ of the (old) first division. The unlucky Carlisle keeper kept several attempts out, often by throwing his body at the ball.
Before the game my sister and I had met Jamie Vardy’s dad in a local restaurant and we were pleased for him – and for Jamie – that he appears to have regained his confidence. He was a constant menace and although he didn’t score on this occasion was the player brought down for the penalty.
I liked the look of the two new defenders – Bakayogo and Miquel – who seemed calm and steady. However, to be fair, they will meet much tougher challenges in the Championship. The one weak link was Neil Danns although before his first goal Wood was less than impressive, frequently passing to an opponent. Perhaps he was confused by the strange coloured away shirts!
Carlisle scored a good second goal in the 71st minute and the doubts began to creep in a bit, but really it was so one-sided by this stage that I would have been astonished if City had let it slip.
The one disappointment was the news that Ben Marshall was to be signed by Blackburn; I know he faded after a good start but I like him and am sorry to see him go. I wonder how much his altercation with a section of the City fans at the Barnsley game last season contributed to his drop in form.
More worrying was Shakespeare’s statement in his post-match interview which suggested that he knew nothing about the transfer; I’d hate to think that there are differences between Pearson and Shakespeare and the recently appointed Director of Football. I’ve never understood quite what that job entails. Anyway, I wish Ben the best of luck and hope he becomes the player he was when he first came to Leicester – after our game against Blackburn of course.
I was also interested to hear from Shakespeare how proud Lloyd Dyer was to be captain on the night; he certainly played as well as I think I have ever seen and the Carlisle defenders seemed unable to cope with his blistering pace and direct style of play. So the trip was worth it!
A fellow City supporter (from Norfolk) was staying at the same b & b as my sister and I; according to him, the last time Leicester scored 5 away from home was against Rochdale several years ago – I can’t say I remember it!
Leicester: Logan, Moore, Miquel, Whitbread, Bakayogo (Schlupp 84), Knockaert, Drinkwater, Danns, Dyer, Vardy (Waghorn 62), Wood (Hopper 66). Subs not used: Smith, De Laet, King, Gallagher
Goals: Wood 38, 59 pen, 63; Dyer 47, Knockaert 51
Carlisle: Gillespie, Butterfield, Livesey, Thirlwell, Black, Amoo (Symington 74), Noble (Guy 56), Berrett, Potts, Robson, Miller (Beck 80). Subs not used: Gillies, Edwards, Todd, Fleming
Goals: Amoo 16, Berrett 71
Attendance: 3,308 Referee: Graham Salisbury
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