Birmingham vs Leicester: Marshall earns Foxes a point
Leicester's five-match winning sequence in the npower Championship was brought to a halt but substitute Ben Marshall's late strike salvaged a deserved point as an entertaining encounter at Birmingham finished 1-1.
The Foxes, who have now moved to the top of the table on goal difference, were aiming to record a sixth successive league win for the first time since a club-record equalling seven in 1993.
And the visitors' first-half display certainly deserved just that but they found England prodigy Jack Butland in superb form while Martyn Waghorn also blazed over a golden opportunity from close range, much to the dismay of 4,000 travelling supporters.
Birmingham, second best, duly capitalised against the run of the play in first-half injury time as Lovenkrands converted a great cross from Marlon King for his third goal of the season.
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Lowly Blues subsequently found a new-found confidence amid a quieter second half, but Leicester - who looked set to draw a blank for the first time this season - drew level in the 86th minute when Marshall's 30-yard effort crossed the line off the inside of a post.
To make matters worse for Birmingham, Jonathan Spector was given his marching orders in injury time.
Ravel Morrison, whose attitude had again been brought into question since his season-long loan arrival from West Ham, was handed his first Birmingham start since August amid four changes and duly impressed, the Foxes also included three new faces from last time out before the international break.
Birmingham boss Lee Clark spoke pre-match about the need for his side to start positively but he would have been furious at the way in which they gave possession away straight from kick-off, conceding a free-kick on the edge of their area which was comfortably saved by Butland.
Blues, having got a better foothold on proceedings, saw on-loan full-back James Hurst escape punishment following a challenge on Lloyd Dyer in the penalty area before Waghorn forced a solid save from Butland.
Dyer did find the net only to be flagged offside as the Foxes posed a more dangerous threat in the final third, Butland producing a routine stop to deny Anthony Knockaert from distance before Andy King lashed narrowly wide.
Leicester's best opening of the first half arrived in the 33rd minute yet Waghorn somehow fired over Andy King's cross from six yards.
Birmingham were providing very little threat in attack, with Kasper Schmeichel finally forced into action to save from Nathan Redmond in the 38th minute.
Butland then twice kept out talented Frenchman Knockaert, the second a superb stop just before half-time.
But there was still time for the home side to take the lead. Marlon King latched on to Hurst's pass and fired a great cross into the area which was expertly converted by Lovenkrands.
Schmeichel denied King when clean through early in the second half before Redmond blazed a free-kick off target for Blues.
Butland continued his heroics with another super stop to keep out Waghorn, but chances were coming at a premium compared to the opening 45 minutes.
Substitute Wade Elliott tested Schmeichel as the game entered the closing stages before Marshall drew Leicester level out of nowhere, his shot from distance going in off the inside of a post.
Spector then saw red for what appeared to be a second yellow card offence, and there was still time for Butland to produce another great stop to keep out Marshall's goalbound free-kick.
Comments
by dobranich
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 3:02PM
“One things for sure nobody will ever agree with you coalvillepox. I come on here for a bit of banter and a laugh. Apart from conflict why are you here??”
by dobranich
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 2:59PM
“Just back form Coalville or was it Beirut. Suits them as lives there is guess.”
by Coalvillefox
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 12:22PM
“Is it me or do quite a few posts lately look like the work of one person? 5 minutes later they post under another name agreeing with themselves.Constant references to foreign travel and their interests in an effort to make themselves sound more exciting. When the reality is they spend all day on here glued their screen.Also the constant name checking of FF who they have retired because he was looking foolish. Mind you Dobo doesn't half sound like him these days?”
by dobranich
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 12:34AM
“Burton you have done for me. I dont really like Egypt but my only daughter lives there and just had baby. Other than see them and baby ill probably fry my a.. off and my pool play (as per snooker) will be international standard. Golf holiday in Gran Caneria.................. you swine”
by Wiltsfox
Monday, October 22 2012, 10:37PM
“Fair point Foxerod re Palace, although what I was getting at was: if Friedman leaves, who will step in to fill the void at a club where Friedman got them to where they are on a shoestring budget? Unless the incoming new manager hits the ground running, the momentum built to this point will be lost and the players will wonder where they stand with the new man.
Lets not forget that this was what happened at City when NP was reappointed and everyone was on his back when it was perceived that the club was going backwards at the time.
As a Tigers supporter too, at Welford Road we EXPECT to win every game, regardless of the opposition. A bit of this attitude wouldn't go amiss at LCFC......”
by foxeerod
Monday, October 22 2012, 10:19PM
“wiltfox , as palace are 4th and just 2pts behind us , its a bit arrogant to declare we have more chance of making the premier than them,
mark my words , as well as we are playing, both brighton and palace are decent teams and two of our many promotion rivals,
i will be amazed if we get 6 points from our next two games.
i hope we do, but just because we are top of the league people are EXPECTING those 6 points , but normally its tougher to stay on top than it is to get there , luckily NP will know this”
by Wiltsfox
Monday, October 22 2012, 8:42PM
“Tomorrow night: 3-2 to City, followed up by a 2-0 home win against a Palace side about to lose Friedman to Bolton. Will Zaha follow him or will we cheekily tap him up to join the Championship's high flyers? We're more likely to make the Prem than his current employers......”
by Burton_Fox
Monday, October 22 2012, 7:37PM
“Don't want to upset you Dobby, but when you get back I'm off on a golfing holiday in Gran Canaria. It's a hard life!!!!”
by Happy_Fox
Monday, October 22 2012, 6:15PM
“lcfctillidie - Championship player? Holt was the second highest ENGLISH goal scorer (15) in the Premier league last year.”
by dobranich
Monday, October 22 2012, 5:42PM
“Sorry foxfreak there are down sides. The sharks might be frisky. You wouldnt have to contend with them at Skeggy.”