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.

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.