Leicester Pay Penalty for Jeffrey's Bungle

Leicester City lost 1-0 at Leeds United this evening, after Jeffrey Schlupp conceded a penalty in just the third minute of the match. Schlupp, who has been a revelation at left back in the last few matches, was guilty of a naive challenge on Samuel Bryam. Luciano Becchio dispatched the resulting spot-kick with his left foot. In truth, the Foxes were lucky to go into half-time only a goal behind, as Leeds dominated the remainder of the first half. Pearson named an unchanged side for tonight's game, but his team didn't perform at the same level as the had on Saturday. In central midfield, Drinkwater and King were outplayed by their opposite numbers and this had a huge bearing on the result.

In the second half, Leicester posed much more of a threat to the home side. Just before the hour mark, Futacs and Knockaert replaced Vardy and Marshall respectively. Both players had an immediate impact, with Futacs setting up Waghorn for a shot and Knockaert also having a shot on target from range. Ultimately, Leicester didn't do enough to get back into the game, and Leeds held on to secure back to back home victories. After tonight's performance, and 350 miles on the road in the last four days, Leicester will now be looking forward to two home games of their own. Certainly, Saturday evening's fixture against Derby, in front of the Sky cameras, is a mouth watering prospect.  

Leicester have a Hoot at Owls' Expense

Leicester won 2-0 at Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon, securing their third away league victory of the season so far. It was a well deserved victory, with City dominating possession and forcing more efforts on goal than their opponents. The victory moves Leicester up to 3rd place in the Championship table, as Middlesborough and Hull both lost at home, to Bristol City and Burnley respectively. Jeff Schlupp deservedly retained his place at left-back, despite the fact that Paul Konchesky was 100% fit. It was another superb display from the youngster and Konchesky will find it difficult to force his way back into the side. Marshall replaced Knockaert on the right-hand side of midfield and Vardy played in place of the injured Nugent. Otherwise, it was the same team that demolished Ipswich at the King Power Stadium a week ago.

In the 41st minute, Danny Drinkwater scored the first goal for the Foxes. It was an excellent finish from the edge of the penalty area, into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. City continued to dominate the match and squandered several opportunities to extend their lead. However, 15 minutes from time, former Sheffield Wednesday loanee Ben Marshall finally secured all 3 points for City. It was a superb goal, a left footed finish from outside the box, into the top left hand corner of the net. Next up, another trip to Yorkshire to take on Leeds United at Elland Road on Tuesday night. Nigel Pearson's men will certainly be confident of another positive result.

Foxes Hammer Six Past Ipswich

As predicted in last week's entry, Leicester City demolished Ipswich Town 6-0 at the King Power Stadium this afternoon. The damage was done before half-time with City scoring four times before the break. After just 7 minutes, Lloyd Dyer was fouled in the box and David Nugent dispatched the resulting penalty to put City in front. There was only going to be one winner from then on. Just ten minutes later, Nugent doubled the home side's advantage. In the 27th minute, the excellent Lloyd Dyer scored the third, thumping a shot into the bottom corner of the net. Vardy replaced Nugent on the half hour mark, injury denying the former England striker the chance of securing his second hat-trick of the season. A couple of minutes before half-time, Knockaert capped a perfect first half display by grabbing City's fourth goal of the game.

The loudest cheer of the match was reserved for Leicester's 5th goal. Martyn Waghorn, who has worked tirelessly for the team over recent weeks, scored a well deserved goal from the edge of the penalty area. Futacs fired home the sixth goal with 8 minutes remaining to cap an outstanding performance. The result leaves Leicester in 5th place. However, it will give Nigel Pearson's men a huge confidence boost, particularly as their next two fixtures are against teams who are also struggling near the foot of the table. City travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and to Leeds on the following Tuesday night. On current form, it would take a brave person to bet against Leicester in either fixture.

Foxes Fail to Finish off Forest

A dubious penalty award in the 67th minute enabled Nottingham Forest to rescue a 2-2 draw in the East Midlands derby at the King Power Stadium this afternoon. It was a game that Leicester should have won comfortably. Two efforts were cleared off the line and Forest's goalkeeper, Camp, made a couple of excellent saves. To rub salt into the wound, Leicester were denied a definite penalty when Gillett handled Lloyd Dyer's shot late on. In truth, Leicester had opportunities to win the game and Waghorn will be disappointed not to have bagged at least a couple of goals. The result leaves City in 5th place in the Championship table and without a win in four league games.

The game started brilliantly for City, as Lloyd Dyer's shot was deflected into his own net by Ward in the 7th minute. It followed excellent work from Nugent and Waghorn to set the opportunity up for the winger. Forest replied in the 22nd minute, as Adlene Guedioura swept the ball home after a good Forest move down the right hand side. The Foxes restored their lead just 10 minutes later. A sublime chip from Knockaert found Nugent, who deftly helped the ball over the helpless Camp in Forest's goal. Mid-way through the second half, Schlupp squandered possession in midfield and this lead directly to the penalty incident. It was a real shame for Schlupp, who had performed brilliantly at left back in place of the injured Konchesky. Whitbread was adjudged to have fouled Sharp in the box and Cox scored from the resulting spot-kick. It was a cruel blow for Leicester, with Forest's manager Sean O'Driscoll admitting that the penalty should not have been awarded.

Next weekend, Leicester welcome Ipswich Town to the King Power Stadium. Mick McCarthy's team have conceded 17 goals in 8 away fixtures this term and sit 22nd in the Championship table. There is a sense that, with all of the chances that Leicester are creating, they are set to give someone a real hiding. Perhaps the Portman Road side will be on the receiving end next Saturday.

Foxes Fire Blank at Bolton

Leicester prevented a third successive defeat at Bolton Wanderers this evening, securing a 0-0 draw. It was a game that the Foxes dominated, particularly in the first half, and they had several good opportunities to score. Nugent, Drinkwater, Dyer and Knockaert all had shots at goal during the first half. De Laet also went close with a header that struck the bar. Bolton came into the game more in the second half and will feel that they had several promising opportunities to win the game. It's a decent result for Leicester, against a strong team, who beat leaders Cardiff at home on Saturday.

Attention will now turn to Saturday lunch time's East Midlands derby with Nottingham Forest. The defensive situation is reaching a critical stage. St. Ledger is still injured, Konchesky left the field injured during the first half and loanee Keane was replaced by Moore during the second half. City finished the game with striker Jeff Schlupp at left back. On the plus side, Whitbread will return from a one match suspension and re-gain his place in the side. However, at the start of November, it is worrying that City appear to be down to the bare bones already. What price another Manchester United loanee arriving before the weekend?!

Keane to make the right impression

Manchester United teenager Michael Keane, who signed on a one month loan deal today, comes straight into Leicester's starting eleven for this evening's match at Bolton. He will partner Wes Morgan at centre back, in place of the suspended Whitbread and injured St. Ledger. It will be a huge test for the 19 year old against the strength of the experienced Kevin Davies. Attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard, also 19, has joined on a month's loan from United as well. He will be on the bench tonight.

The Leicester City team in full: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Keane, Konchesky, Knockaert, Drinkwater, King, Dyer, Nugent, Waghorn. On the bench: Logan, Moore, James, Lingard, Futacs, Marshall, Schlupp. Six players who have Manchester United connections (not including Schmeichel!)

Murdered at the Vicarage

Leicester turned in their worst performance of the season so far at Vicarage Road this afternoon and, in truth, were lucky to lose by a scoreline of 2-1 to Watford. Both of the hosts goals were scored by  players on loan from Udinese - Almen Abdi and Fernando Forestieri. Clearly manager Gianfranco Zola has attracted some talented players to the club. That said, Watford were not terribly impressive and Pearson will be disappointed with his team's performance. Leicester squandered possession of the ball too easily, seemed lacklustre in attack, left too many gaps at the back and were on the back foot for the majority of the game. It took just 14 minutes for Watford to take advantage of City's sloppy start to the game. Abdi struck the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area. The Foxes never recovered and didn't look like getting back into the match, with just 3 attempts on target in the whole match.

Pearson had set Leicester up with five players across midfield. Knockaert and Marshall wide, with King, Drinkwater and James central. At half-time, Dyer replaced Drinkwater and Leicester reverted to four across midfield with Knockaert in a free role. It was the right move, although some would question whether Drinkwater should have been the man to make way. Just after the hour mark, two more substitutions followed. Marshall and Knockaert, two of Leicester's most creative players, were replaced by Waghorn and Futacs. It seemed a very strange move and was greeted with boos from the visiting supporters. Knockaert disappeared down the tunnel, only to return a few moments later, having been pursued by a member of the backroom staff. The changes didn't have the desired effect. Forestieri doubled Watford's lead from close range just five minutes later.

Nugent pulled a goal back for City with 20 minutes left on the clock. Konchesky clipped a clever cross to the back post, Nugent cut the ball back and fired home past Almunia. Leicester pushed for an equaliser but never looked like finding one and certainly didn't deserve to. Whitbread was sent off with 8 minutes remaining, and this will give the manager a defensive headache ahead of Tuesday's trip to Bolton. St. Ledger is still recovering from injury and Leicester's lack of defensive cover has been a concern all season. Wes Morgan was excellent again today and without him, the defeat could have been even heavier. Morgan will need to be at his absolute best on Tuesday night to help his side improve on a disappointing return of just 7 points from 7 away games this season.