Foxes' Festive Fixtures off to Flier!

QPR 0 - 1 Leicester City

Jamie Vardy's ruthless finish in the 41st minute was enough to give Leicester all 3 points at Loftus Road this afternoon. The result moves City joint top of the Championship table and inflicts upon QPR their first home defeat of the season. Remarkably, it is Leicester's 6th away league win of the season - as many as they managed in the whole of last season. Importantly, it is both Leicester's first win and first clean sheet in December after a recent dip in form.

Leicester rode their luck at times today. QPR dominated possession and created lots of chances in the first half. They squandered all of them. By contrast, Leicester had one clear cut chance before the break and they took it. Just before the break, Schmeichel's goal-kick travelled deep into the opposition half of the field and Nugent flicked the ball on. Vardy chested the ball past the defender and rifled home a stunning shot with his right foot into the bottom corner of the net. In fairness, Leicester were stronger after the interval and created the best chances in the second half. Dyer should have scored twice and James' deflected shot rattled the bar.

Indeed, a second goal would have taken Leicester to the top of the table on goals scored. However, all associated with Leicester City will settle for a return of 42 points from 21 games. Maintain that form over the second half of the season and the Premier League beckons.

Man City Ease Past Foxes

Leicester City 1 - 3 Manchester City

Manchester City progressed into the semi-final of the League Cup with a comfortable victory over the Foxes. The match was over as a contest before half-time with the premiership outfit taking a 2-0 lead. Kolarov smashed home a superb 25 yard free kick in just the 9th minute and left the home side looking like the proverbial rabbits in headlights. In truth, Pellegrini's side could have scored a hatful during the remainder of the first half. It took until the 41st minute for them to double their lead, Dzeko heading home Milner's cross. City defenders were picked off during the build up to that goal and Nigel Pearson was right to express his disappointment at the defending during that move - City certainly contributed to their own demise. 

The second half was a different affair and many might argue that Leicester were the better team after the break. However, poor defending allowed Dzeko to score his second of the night. The defence switched off as Milner ran to the by-line to receive a throw-in. He slid the ball into Dzeko who finished into the bottom corner. It left the Foxes with too much to do. That said, the introduction of James at half time certainly enabled Leicester to retain more possession and to provide more of an attacking threat. Indeed, Lloyd Dyer managed to score a consolation goal 13 minutes from time after a good move down the left flank. At least City competed in the second half and they certainly didn't disgrace themselves.

Foxes and Clarets Share Spoils

Leicester City 1 - 1 Burnley

Leicester remain third in the Championship table, just one point off leaders Burnley, after the two clubs shared the points at the King Power Stadium this afternoon. Leicester dominated the opening exchanges and deservedly took the lead in the 14th minute. The nature of the goal was fortunate - Vardy adjudged to have been fouled in the box. Nugent buried the resulting spot-kick. Despite many opportunities to extend their lead, City failed to do so and it was to cost them. Burnley came back into the game in the second half and equalised just 90 seconds after the break, Ings capitalising on some poor defending to volley the ball into the bottom corner. 

It was a decent result for Leicester against the league leaders and prevented the Foxes from slipping to a third straight defeat. This is particularly important in light of the fixtures still to come this week. Next up, the small matter of Manchester City on Tuesday night.

FA Cup 3rd Round Draw

Leicester face a tough trip to Stoke in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup. The match is likely to take place on 4th January. The draw in full:

Barnsley v Hartlepool or Coventry

Yeovil v Leyton Orient

Liverpool v Oldham or Mansfield

Nottingham Forest v West Ham

Bristol City v Watford

Southend v Millwall

Middlesbrough v Hull

West Brom v Crystal Palace

Kidderminster v Peterborough

Doncaster v Stevenage

Stoke v Leicester

Southampton v Burnley

Newcastle v Cardiff

Rochdale v Leeds

Wigan v MK Dons

Charlton v Wrexham or Oxford

Manchester United v Swansea

Port Vale v Plymouth

Norwich v Fulham

Aston Villa v Sheffield United

Macclesfield v Sheffield Wednesday

Sunderland v Carlisle

Bolton v Blackpool

Blackburn v Manchester City

Everton v QPR

Brighton v Reading

Arsenal v Tottenham

Birmingham v Bristol Rovers or Crawley

Grimsby v Huddersfield

Ipswich v Preston

Derby v Chelsea

Bournemouth v Fleetwood or Burton

Scavenging Seagulls Frustrate Foxes

Brighton 3 - 1 Leicester City

Leicester suffered their first back to back defeats of the season at the Amex Stadium this afternoon. The result sees the Foxes slip to third place in the table, just one point behind Burnley and QPR. The Foxes face both of those teams in their next two Championship fixtures. Sandwiched in between those  games, the small matter of Manchester City's visit in the Capital One Cup. It would be fair to say that the next three games could go a long way towards defining Leicester City's season. 

Leicester never found second gear today. They found themselves behind in the 9th minute, Lopez finding Barnes at the far post after a poor Schmeichel clearance. In the 28th minute, Brighton doubled their advantage as Craig Conway chested down a cross-field ball and fired an excellent shot into the bottom corner from outside of the box. Just after the hour mark, King's headed goal from a Knockaert free kick gave City hope. However, a clumsy challenge from Morgan, less than fifteen minutes from time, gifted the home side a penalty and killed off Leicester's challenge. Barnes slotted home the spot kick for his second of the game.

Wednesday's Wickham Wangles Winner

Sheffield Wednesday 2 - 1 Leicester City

A Connor Wickham brace won Sheffield Wednesday all 3 points against Leicester at Hillsborough this evening. It had been a promising start for the Foxes, who took the lead after just 3 minutes. Anthony Knockaert's trickery left the Owls defenders on their heels - the Frenchman dribbling into the box from the right corner of the pitch and firing a powerful shot high into the net. The lead lasted for just 6 minutes. A high ball into the Leicester box wasn't dealt with by Wasilewski and Wickham managed to cut inside and curl a shot into the far corner. 15 minutes later, Wickham scored again from an almost identical position. This time, it seemed as though the Owls striker was just trying to cross the ball - it snuck into the net at the far post. 

Leicester huffed and puffed but didn't do enough to earn the equaliser that they were looking for. Having boasted a 27 point advantage over managerless Sheffield Wednesday before kick-off, the result will be extremely disappointing for City manager Nigel Pearson. The Owls had managed just 1 victory in their previous 16 league games before tonight's fixture. It is the kind of match that Leicester would have expected at least a point from, particularly when you consider that they were 1-0 up so early. The Foxes travel to Brighton on Saturday and will need to bounce back. One of the many strengths that Leicester have displayed this season is the ability to respond well to a disappointing defeat - they will need to do so again on Saturday to underline their promotion credentials.

Flying Foxes Move Top

Leicester City 3 - 0 Millwall

Leicester secured their 12th league victory of the season to move 3 points clear at the top of the Championship table. Two goals from the impressive Vardy and a volley from Lloyd Dyer enough to secure all three points on this occasion. With close rivals Burnley and QPR both losing 2-1 away from home, moving into top spot is a great boost for the Foxes as they approach a busy stage of the season. Tuesday's trip to Sheffield Wednesday will be the first of 8 games in a 30 day period, including of course the week when City face Burnley, Manchester City and QPR. It is a crucial stage of the season and Leicester look to be in good shape.

Today's match was as one-sided a contest as you are likely to see in the Championship. City secured 61% of the possession during the game and managed a staggering 30 shots at goal. Millwall, by contrast, mustered one effort on target in the entire match. After 11 minutes, a clever move from Leicester saw Wasilewski pick out Drinkwater down the right flank. His cross was met by Lloyd Dyer, who controlled his volley well at the edge of the six-yard box and found the back of the net. City had to wait until the second half to double their advantage. 

In the 52nd minute, Jamie Vardy ran almost the entire length of the pitch to thump the ball between Forde's legs. Less than 3 minutes later, Vardy hassled and harried a Millwall defender into making an error. He nipped in, pushed the ball around the keeper and slotted home with his weaker right foot from a tight angle. It was an outstanding performance from Vardy, a player who was much maligned last season. Without doubt, he is currently one of the first names on Nigel Pearson's team sheet. 

Credit to the manager too. His £1m purchase of non-league Vardy has proven to be a brilliant investment. Pearson also stuck by the player after a difficult first season. However, Pearson's greatest achievement is this:- he has lifted his squad from the lowest possible ebb in May to now be sitting proudly at the top of the Championship table just 6 months later. Remarkable. 

Nugent Brace Sinks Ipswich

Ipswich Town 1 - 2 Leicester City

Leicester came from behind at Ipswich this afternoon to secure another away win and move level with Burnley at the top of the Championship table. In the first half, City were atrocious, allowing David McGoldrick to give the hosts the lead in just the second minute. McGoldrick's shot - from outside the box - found the bottom corner and Schmeichel will be disappointed to have been beaten at his near post. The Foxes were rocked by the early goal and weren't able to find any rhythm for the entire first half. Pearson made two changes at half-time, Miquel and James replacing Moore and King. Indeed, James was instrumental in Leicester's second half revival.

Two David Nugent goals in the space of six second half minutes turned the match on its head. In the 51st minute, Vardy's lay-off found Nugent, who delivered a crisp, right footed finish to equalise. Dyer rounded the keeper brilliantly in the 57th minute and squared the ball for Nugent to put City ahead. That goal, Nugent's 13th in 12 visits to Portman Road, was enough to secure all 3 points and send Leicester joint top of the Championship table. Leicester only managed 6 away wins in the whole of last season. Today was their fifth away win of the current campaign - a real indication that, at present, City are on the right track to go one better than they did last season. 

Remembrance Fixture Distinctly Unmemorable

Leicester City 0 - 2 Nottingham Forest

Leicester City's annual Remembrance fixture lived up to its billing, but only in terms of the pre-match ceremony. An RAF helicopter landed on the centre circle before the match to deliver the match ball and   a minute's silence was held before kick-off during which 'The Last Post' was played. Sadly, the match itself was forgettable as far as Foxes fans will be concerned - Nottingham Forest running out 2-0 winners. City never really got out of first gear and, as good as their performance was at Watford last week, this afternoon's display was poor. The only consolation for Leicester is that both Burnley and QPR only managed to draw their respective fixtures, keeping the Foxes in second place in the Championship table.

Nottingham Forest opened the scoring just after the half hour mark. Paterson's shot was blocked and Simon Cox scored from close range. Just before half time, Jamie Mackie doubled the visitors' lead after Drinkwater had cleared Lansbury's initial effort off the line. When Nugent missed a penalty with 20 minutes remaining, it was clear that this was not going to be City's day. The Foxes were largely ineffective, squandering the few chances that they did manage to create. Even 3 second half substitutes did nothing to improve the home side's fortunes. 

Plenty for Nigel Pearson to mull over during the International break. Mind you, he will be used to that this season. This is only Leicester's third defeat of the campaign but all have come in the game immediately preceding the International breaks. For the players, the manager and the fans, it will be a long two weeks.

Fantastic Foxes Wallop Watford

Watford 0 - 3 Leicester City

Leicester thrashed Watford 3-0 at Vicarage Road this afternoon to consolidate second place in the league and secure their best ever start to a league season. It was a superb performance from the Foxes, particularly in the first half. They dominated possession, took an early lead and restricted Watford to very few chances. Nigel Pearson was forced to make two changes to his first choice line-up. Schlupp and Wood replaced the injured Konchesky and Vardy respectively. Both replacements played well, Wood grabbing a goal and Schlupp nullifying the threat of Watford's winger, Anya.

There was an element of fortune about Leicester's opening goal. Watford's keeper Alumina hit a straightforward clearance straight into Chris Wood's face, only for the ball to deflect into the back of the net. City were good value for their 1-0 lead at half-time. Wood and Dyer both had the ball in the net again before the break, only for the linesman to raise the flag for off-side on both occasions. Both calls could have gone either way. Watford had very few clear-cut opportunities in the first half, Schmeichel pulling off an excellent double save from McGugan to deny the hosts their best opportunity to score before the break.

Seven minutes into the second half, Anthony Knockaert doubled Leicester's advantage and banished the memories of his previous visit to Watford in May. On that occasion, City suffered the cruellest defeat imaginable - it was to be a different story today. Schlupp - who turned in a superb performance today - broke clear down the left flank. He slid the ball into Knockaert, who flicked the ball into the air and thumped it into the back of the net. In truth, City rode their luck at times in the second half and Watford missed at least three clear opportunities to score. However, five minutes from time, Lloyd Dyer broke clear to fire a shot low. The ball ricocheted off Almunia and looped into the net. It capped an excellent performance for the Foxes and was no less than they deserved. Indeed, King and Wasilewski both had good opportunities to add a fourth before the final whistle.