QPR 0 - 1 Leicester
Article by Jonathan Smith
Leicester went into Saturday’s clash with league leaders QPR on the back of four games without a win. City found themselves in third place having drawn with Burnley a week ago and going into the game, Foxes fans were hopeful but not expectant of a win. They knew that on their day Leicester were capable of giving anyone a game but QPR were unbeaten at home in the league and City’s last two away trips had ended in defeat.
In recent weeks, teams have pressurised Leicester and they’ve struggled to deal with the lack of time and space they’ve been allowed on the ball. It seemed as though the roles were reversed on Saturday as David Nugent and Jamie Vardy looked to harass the QPR defence at any given opportunity. City’s pressing play was interrupted for a while due to the appearance of a squirrel on the Loftus Road pitch. It eventually left the field of play after Nugent chased it across the touchline.
Rangers had the better of the chances in the first half. Kasper Schmeichel was called into action on a few occasions and did well to deal with a slippery ball in wet conditions. Despite the home side’s intricate play, it was Leicester who took the lead through a Schmeichel kick which was nodded on by Nugent and lashed home by Jamie Vardy. It was a confident finish by a player who has now scored seven goals this season; two more than he managed during the whole of the last campaign.
The second half saw a continuation of pressure from the home team but still no breakthrough as the City defence stood firm. Leicester did create a few chances of their own with Matty James clattering the bar from distance. The game was played at quite a high tempo and there were a few tasty challenges put in from both sides. Gary O’Neil and James both received yellows whilst Joey Barton saw red for an altercation with Gary Taylor-Fletcher in the 84th minute. QPR’s day got even worse as Charlie Austin squandered a great opportunity to equalise with the last chance of the game. The win saw Leicester move level on points with Rangers and Burnley regained top spot after beating Blackpool.
Leicester seem to have reverted back to the counter-attacking style of football that was serving them so well earlier on in the season. The front four of Knockaert, Nugent, Vardy and Dyer have speed to burn and with Drinkwater and James shielding the back four, City look hard to break down and difficult to stop at the same time. There have been complaints about the form of Nugent and the occasional loss of possession due to Knockaert trying one trick too many but I feel it’s crucial to keep this attacking quartet playing together as they have an understanding that benefits the team.
© e-Football 2013 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football
Leicester went into Saturday’s clash with league leaders QPR on the back of four games without a win. City found themselves in third place having drawn with Burnley a week ago and going into the game, Foxes fans were hopeful but not expectant of a win. They knew that on their day Leicester were capable of giving anyone a game but QPR were unbeaten at home in the league and City’s last two away trips had ended in defeat.
In recent weeks, teams have pressurised Leicester and they’ve struggled to deal with the lack of time and space they’ve been allowed on the ball. It seemed as though the roles were reversed on Saturday as David Nugent and Jamie Vardy looked to harass the QPR defence at any given opportunity. City’s pressing play was interrupted for a while due to the appearance of a squirrel on the Loftus Road pitch. It eventually left the field of play after Nugent chased it across the touchline.
Rangers had the better of the chances in the first half. Kasper Schmeichel was called into action on a few occasions and did well to deal with a slippery ball in wet conditions. Despite the home side’s intricate play, it was Leicester who took the lead through a Schmeichel kick which was nodded on by Nugent and lashed home by Jamie Vardy. It was a confident finish by a player who has now scored seven goals this season; two more than he managed during the whole of the last campaign.
The second half saw a continuation of pressure from the home team but still no breakthrough as the City defence stood firm. Leicester did create a few chances of their own with Matty James clattering the bar from distance. The game was played at quite a high tempo and there were a few tasty challenges put in from both sides. Gary O’Neil and James both received yellows whilst Joey Barton saw red for an altercation with Gary Taylor-Fletcher in the 84th minute. QPR’s day got even worse as Charlie Austin squandered a great opportunity to equalise with the last chance of the game. The win saw Leicester move level on points with Rangers and Burnley regained top spot after beating Blackpool.
Leicester seem to have reverted back to the counter-attacking style of football that was serving them so well earlier on in the season. The front four of Knockaert, Nugent, Vardy and Dyer have speed to burn and with Drinkwater and James shielding the back four, City look hard to break down and difficult to stop at the same time. There have been complaints about the form of Nugent and the occasional loss of possession due to Knockaert trying one trick too many but I feel it’s crucial to keep this attacking quartet playing together as they have an understanding that benefits the team.
© e-Football 2013 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football
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