Palace Prevail as Foxes Flounder

Crystal Palace earned a well deserved 2-1 victory over Leicester at the King Power Stadium this afternoon. The Eagles were strong, physical and well organised, with Zaha and Jedinak posing a potent threat throughout the first half in particular. Two Palace goals in 5 minutes, mid way through the first half, stunned City and left them with a mountain to climb. First, Schmeichel failed to deal with a corner in the 23rd minute, dropping the ball after colliding with his own player. Former Fox Damien Delaney fired home the loose ball to give the visitors the lead. Schmeichel's error may have affected his judgement for the corner which lead to the Eagles second goal. The ball was headed home by Ramage from the edge of the six yard box - Schmeichel was rooted to his line and perhaps should have challenged.

Pearson replaced Dyer with James on the half hour mark to try and sure up the midfield and to a certain extent it worked. James sat in front of the back four, allowing King and a disappointing Drinkwater to get forward more. Knockaert wasn't as effective as he has been in recent games either and City simply had too many players below par on the day. Having said that, the Foxes continued to press in the second half and certainly can't be criticised for a lack of effort. They came up against a better side on the day, as well as a referee who did them few favours. There were 4 good penalty shouts in the game, 3 of them to Leicester and if any had been awarded, it may have given the home side some impetus. As it was, King's 92nd minute goal was too little too late and didn't leave the Foxes enough time to draw level. It was a good finish from King, nodding home a super cross from Paul Konchesky.

Leicester will now rack up 450 miles with away trips to Watford next Saturday and Bolton the following Tuesday, two teams who are languishing in the bottom half of the Championship table. There may well be changes in personnel for those games. Marshall may be in line to replace Knockaert, who looked out of sorts today. Meanwhile, one of Waghorn, Schlupp or Futacs may deserve an opportunity to show what they can do in place of Jamie Vardy.

King's Power Maintains 100% Home Record

Andy King's tenth minute goal was enough to notch up Leicester's sixth successive home league win of the season and maintain their place at the top of the Championship table. It was a hard fought victory against a Brighton team who boast the meanest defence in the league, having only conceded 8 goals so far this term. King's goal came after an excellent run from Nugent down the left hand flank. He slipped the ball inside to King, who stroked the ball home at the second attempt. In truth, Leicester should have extended their lead and won the game more comfortably. Over the course of the game, they managed 16 shots at goal, with 12 on target.

Ten minutes into the second half, Brighton were awarded a very dubious penalty after Whitbread and Buckley collided into box. Both players had their arms raised and Whitbread was harshly penalised. Schmeichel made a superb save low to his left hand side and Morgan did enough with the follow-up to put off the penalty taker Barnes. The incident seemed to jolt Leicester into action and the Foxes were undoubtedly the better team for the remainder of the second half. City now welcome managerless Crystal Palace, who had a tough match at Barnsley this evening, to the King Power Stadium on Saturday. Another victory in that match really will underline Leicester's credentials as serious contenders for promotion.

Marshall Steers Leicester Top

A late Ben Marshall goal rescued a point for Leicester City at Birmingham City this afternoon. Leicester dominated the match and really should have beaten their Midlands rivals. They had 55% of the possession and managed 6 shots on goal to Birmingham's 3. However, Peter Lovenkrands put Birmingham 1-0 on the stroke of half-time after a cross from Marlon King. It was Birmingham's first real clear cut chance of the match. In the second half, Leicester continued to dominate. Towards the end of the game, three City substitutions finally did the trick. Marshall, Futacs and Vardy replaced Dyer, Knockaert and Waghorn. With just 4 minutes of the match remaining, Marshall's long range shot went in off the inside of the post to secure a draw.

With Cardiff and Wolves both losing and Crystal Palace only managing a draw, the result was enough to move Leicester top of the league on goal difference from Cardiff City. It also extended City's unbeaten run to 6 league games. After 5 successive victories, the international break could not have come at a worse time for Leicester. However, having battled to a draw at St. Andrew's this afternoon, and with two home games coming up this week, Pearson will be delighted with the position that the Foxes now find themselves in - top of the Championship pile.

Five Star Foxes!

Leicester recorded their fifth successive league victory this afternoon, to remain second in the Championship table. The 2-0 home victory over Bristol City is also the Foxes fifth home league win from five attempts so far this term. As the two week international break begins, Nigel Pearson will reflect on an excellent start to the season that has seen a return of 21 points from 10 games. City have also stopped leaking goals, with two successive clean sheets, which will stand them in good stead for the next phase of the season.

In truth, City were not at their best this afternoon. They dominated possession and passed the ball around well but didn't create as many clear cut chances as they might have expected. In the 19th minute, Nugent chased a Vardy through ball, which the defender should have dealt with comfortably. Nugent out-muscled his opposite number and fired past the Bristol City keeper. Bristol never looked like getting back into the match. The only surprise was that it took Leicester until the 74th minute to double their advantage. A clever forward run and cross from the excellent Andy King forced Richard Foster to head into his own net under pressure from the equally excellent David Nugent. Knockaert again was superb and Drinkwater controlled the midfield.

The only negative was what appeared to be a torn hamstring for Sean St. Ledger. Defensive cover continues to appear limited and St. Ledger has been a consistent performer this season. City will hope he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.

Anthony Knockout!

Anthony Knockaert scored two spectacular goals to give City a 2-0 victory at Huddersfield last night. The win, a fourth league victory in a row, lifts the Foxes into the Championship's automatic promotion places. The French winger opened the scoring after half an hour, driving a wonderful left footed shot home from at least 30 yards. Knockaert's second goal, on the hour mark, was arguably even better than his first effort. Konchesky crossed from the left and Knockaert flicked the ball from above waist height, with the back of his heel, into the open net from near the penalty spot. It was an incredible, audacious effort. The Foxes were well deserving of all 3 points and the manager will be particularly happy to have notched up another clean sheet. City now face Bristol City at home on Saturday - the Robins conceded three at home to Leeds Utd last night.

Dyer Deflection Beats Boro

An 89th minute deflected shot from Lloyd Dyer gave Leicester their first away victory of the season this afternoon and moved the Foxes up to 5th place in the Championship table. It looked like being another frustrating afternoon for Nigel Pearson's side as they dominated possession, created the best chances but still found themselves 1-0 down, five minutes into the second half. Middlesborough's Nicky Bailey hit a superb shot from long range to give the home side the lead, although Schmeichel will be disappointed to have been beaten from so far out. Vardy equalised for City just after the hour mark. As the 90th minute approached, Dyer's shot deflected over Boro keeper Jason Steele to give Leicester the victory.

That's 3 successive league wins for Leicester, who now find themselves just a point away from the top of the table. Things are starting to click into place for the Foxes, although the central midfield pairing of Drinkwater and James is a concern. They are very similar players and neither of them is going to make surging forward runs and score goals on a regular basis. It wouldn't be a surprise if King got the nod ahead of James for the next game. Pearson will be looking forward to Tuesday night's trip to Huddersfield, particularly as the Terriers conceded three goals at home to Watford this afternoon. With Vardy and Nugent both in form, City will hope that another positive result is on the cards. 

Nuge Win for Leicester!

David Nugent scored a superb hat-trick this afternoon, to secure a maximum 6 points from 2 home games this week, and move City up to seventh place in the Championship. Leicester have now won all four of their home league games this season - form that will delight manager Nigel Pearson. City started positively, putting visitors Hull on the back foot from the outset. Nugent latched onto a loose ball in the seventh minute, to fire a precise left footed shot into the corener of the net. Vardy squandered a couple of opportunities to double City's advantage before Simpson slid in to put Hull level. It was poor defending from Leicester, who have switched off at the back too often this season. However, three minutes before half time, Nugent headed home from six yards to restore the home side's lead.

In the second half, Leicester continued to dominate, creating the best chances and putting Hull City under pressure. 10 minutes before full time, Hull manager Steve Bruce was sent to the stands for verbally abusing the referee. To cap a miserable afternoon for the Hull manager, Nugent completed his perfect hat-trick in the final minute with a right footed finish. Leicester now face trips to Middlesborough and Huddersfield and will be hoping to find some form on the road to match their recent record at the King Power Stadium. Certainly Nugent's excellent form gives them reason to be optimistic about their prospects, as does the return of Andy King, who is sure to replace Matty James in the starting line-up next weekend.

Knock Knock Knockaert on Burnley's door!

Leicester moved to 10th place in the Championship with a hard fought victory over Burnley at the King Power stadium this evening. Burnley took a 10th minute lead when Marney finished off a neat move from the visitors. Leicester struggled to create clear cut opportunities for the remainder of the first half and there were boos as City went into the break 1-0 behind. A slight change in formation, bringing Knockaert into a more central position, paid dividends early in the second half. Nugent scored the equaliser just two minutes into the second half, stroking home a cross from the left hand side. Vardy's miss-hit cross gave Leicester a 2-1 lead just 10 minutes later. Knockaert was a threat throughout the match and his influence in the second half was arguably the different between the sides.

Sam Vokes should have rescued a point for Burnley in the 90th minute but failed to get the ball past a stranded Schmeichel. It demonstrates how fine the margins are at this stage of the season and how crucial this victory might prove to be. Leicester are into the top half of the table. Defeat this evening would have left them languishing in 20th position. Next up, Hull City at the King Power on Sunday. They are currently 4th in the table and will be determined to get one over on their old manager, Pearson. At least tonight's victory has afforded Nigel's men a little breathing space.

Wolves show Foxes who's top dog!

Two poor defensive errors, both from set pieces, cost Leicester City all three points at Wolverhampton Wanderers this afternoon. The home side were 2-0 up less than a quarter of the way through the match. Ebanks-Blake escaped the attentions of Paul Konchesky to head home a free kick in the 13th minute. Just 8 minutes later, another defensive lapse from De Laet allowed former City player Richard Stearman time to double the hosts advantage with a well executed volley. Schmeichel will also be disappointed with both goals, particularly the first, which was headed home from less than 6 yards. City pushed forward in the second half and squandered several good opportunities to score. A superb 40-yard strike from Paul Konchesky, 20 minutes from time, found the back of the net to halve the defecit. However, it proved to be just a consolation goal.

City have now lost 2-1 in all three away fixtures this season. They are languishing in 16th place in the Championship with just 6 points from 5 games. With 18 teams playing on Tuesday night, 24 hours before Leicester take to the field again, City are likely to slide even further down the table. It will be another crucial week for Nigel Pearson, with home fixtures to come against Burnley on Wednesday and Hull a week today. Anything less than 4 points from these two games will surely increase the pressure on the Leicester manager. As long as his team continue to leak soft goals, questions will persist about the strength of defensive cover in the squad. Sadly, after ten months in charge, they will not be easy questions for Pearson to answer.

Blackpool Pleasure Beached

Leicester ended Blackpool's unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the King Power Stadium this evening. The Foxes dominated from the outset and could have been a couple of goals up by half-time, with Vardy posing a real attacking threat to the visitors. Leicester had two penalty appeals turned away, before Vardy tumbled in the box ten minutes into the second half. It was a debatable penalty, although there was no doubt about Marshall's thumping strike from the spot. In truth, Leicester could have scored a couple more in the second half. Defensively, the Foxes will be delighted with how well they restricted Blackpool, who scored 6 against Ipswich last week, from creating many clear cut opportunities. City were clinging on in the last few minutes but were good value for the victory. The win moves them up to 9th place in the table with Blackpool remaining top.

Despite the win and the clean sheet, there must still be question marks about the defensive cover available to Leicester. With no defenders on the bench, City finished the match with the diminutive Paul Konchesky playing at centre back and striker Jeff Schlupp playing at left back. It's a worry that just 4 games into the season, Nigel Pearson is having to make do. When suspensions and injuries kick in, the shortage of squad cover in defensive positions may well come back to haunt Pearson. For now though, the manager will enjoy this victory and hope that the two week international break allows him enough time to get all of his defenders fully fit. Next up, a lunchtime match at Wolves on Sunday 16th September. No easy games in this league.