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Leicester City 1-1 Coventry City
Leicester City 1-1 Coventry City
Sunday, 27th Feb 2011 19:32 by Josh Curtis

Frustration was the word as Aidy Hoofroyd’s men held us to a disappointing draw in front of a good crowd at the Walkers stadium.

Before the game i expected to see a disciplined Coventry away side but over 90 minutes the sky blues probably never passed 5 times in a row. At every opportunity it was lump it up the field. Half just going out for a throw in and the others to Marlon King, whom might i say was different class today, perhaps the only quality player in the Sky Blue’s side.  The game was a perfect example of the ruthless long ball game, even worse than us under Pearson. Add this to the frequent time wasting, fouling and moaning of Aron Gunnarsson, it wasn’t a pretty picture at all.

It was a missed opportunity for us Foxes as a win would have put us level on points with Leeds in 6th place. A 3-0 loss at Swansea perhaps suggest that the Whites are, if any, the team to drop out of the play-offs for what seems to be either Leicester or Burnley.

Sven brought Yuki Abe back into the team for Oakley. On the subject, the question must be asked why Eriksson dropped the Japanese international in the first place. Also the decision to take the captains armband away from Andy King for the previous two fixtures was bizarre.

The game started very fast with Leicester dominating the opening procedures. We should have been two up within the first seven minutes, both chances falling to Yakubu. Indeed he was fed, but did not score. The Foxes were overwhelming our visitors with attacking flair but did not get the goal we deserved.

Then, with their first meaningful attack, Coventry scored the opener. A long ball from Carl Baker found Jutkiewicz. He scuffled past Van Aanholt and cut back for King who hit a shot straight at keeper Ricardo but with a rare goalkeeping error he deflected the ball into the corner of the net. The 1,351 Coventry fans went absolutely wild as if they had won the league itself.

The Sky Blues should have then doubled their lead with Marlon King, jeered constantly by us Leicester fans, missing an open goal after another hoof from Coventry’s back four.

Patrick Van Aanholt, who had a spell at the Ricoh arena last season, threatened down the left as ever and after neat build-up play he crossed for Gallagher who could only volley over the bar. At the other end Ricardo was forced into making a good save from a tight angle as former Everton striker Jutkiewicz threatened.

Championship player of the month Richie Wellens then started to dictate play in the centre of the park and twice put Andy King through, but to no avail. Furthermore a rare forward run by holding midfielder Abe was spotted by Wellens only to result in Abe shooting just wide of the post from the edge of the box.

On 34 minutes, in the ‘Respect the Ref’ fixture, referee Graham Scott failed to award us a penalty in what can only be described as one of the worst decisions of the season. Yakubu was clumsily tripped in the area, through on goal, by Coventry keeper Westwood. Leicester fans erupted into a rage against the referee as the away side continued to ride their luck.

Justice was perhaps then partly repaid when Kyle Naughton added another screamer to his collection as a Leicester City player. Kyle was a constant threat down the right and after passing O’Halloran he struck past Westwood into the far corner of the goal. The Poznan then of course followed in the East stand with Coventry fans looking on with their mouths wide open.

The equaliser inspired Leicester and in particularly Naughton as he increasingly ripped Coventry’s midfield and left back apart. Three Coventry players were booked for unfair challenges on the youngster. The usual cries of ‘sign him up’ were heard throughout the stadium.

The Blues then won a free kick on the right ,thanks to Naughton, which Gallagher chipped into the box quickly for Yakubu who glanced a header towards the corner of the net, only for the ever-brilliant Westwood in goal for Coventry to deny him. The rebound fell to Sol Bamba who struck the post as our deserved match winner continued to elude us.

Throughout the entire second half the Sky Blues failed to threaten us in front of the Kop and despite King getting a lot of long balls to feet, Bamba or Bruma dealt with him sharply.

Sven introduced fan favourites Lloyd Dyer and Martyn Waghorn midway through the second period, both having instant impacts. Dyer burst down the left, put in a dangerous ball and Van Aanholt surely couldn’t miss from six yards. To the home fans disgust he skied it into the family stand as Coventry continued to ride their luck and keep the scoreline at one each.

The away side got what they deserved with Martin Cranie being sent off for another reckless challenge, this time on Waghorn. But it was too late as, with the help of some heroic defending, Coventry held on to gain a point.

 

Stats

City (4-3-3): Ricardo; Naughton, Bruma, Bamba, Van Aanholt; Abe (Oakley 85), King (c), Wellens; Vassell (Waghorn 75), Yakubu, Gallagher (Dyer 67).

Subs not used: Weale, Vitor, Teixeira, Oakley, Mee.

Goals: Naughton 45

Booked: Bamba

Coventry City (4-4-2): Westwood (c); Keogh, Cameron, Wood, O'Halloran (Clingan 64); Bell, Cranie, Gunnarsson, Baker (Eastwood 71); Jutkiewicz, King.

Subs not used: Hussey, Ireland, Ruffles, McSheffrey, O'Donovan.

Goals: King 14

Booked: O'Halloran, Gunnarsson, Cranie

Attendance: 25,356 (1,351 away)

Referee: G D Scott

Photo: Action Images



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