Late Watford goal so costly for Leicester City
Leicester City's play-off hopes are fading fast after Watford snatched a late winner at Vicarage Road.
Nigel Pearson's side fought back from going behind to an early Adrian Mariappa goal through two stunning strikes from David Nugent.
But a cruel deflected free-kick from Sean Murray and a 80th-minute strike from substitute Craig Forsyth meant City continue to fail to make inroads on the top six.
Not surprisingly, City stuck with the same side that performed so impressively against Cardiff on Saturday, with the only change being the return of Neil Danns from suspension to replace Nathan Delfouneso on the substitutes' bench.
The first half was characterised by two absolutely fantastic goals from Nugent, but also some poor defending at set-pieces by City.
With the Hornets having the huge presence of Chris Iwelumo in attack, plus giant centre-backs Mariappa and Nyron Nosworthy, City had to avoid conceding corners, free-kicks and long throws.
But, after just five minutes, Danny Drinkwater played himself into trouble and then conceded a free-kick on the left of City's box.
With Pearson screaming at his defence to defend the near post, Murray whipped in a cross to that very spot and Mariappa got in front of Drinkwater and headed past Kasper Schmeichel.
City needed a quick response and they certainly got it through Nugent. From a Watford attack, City broke quickly as Schmeichel's long kick was nudged towards Nugent on the left by his strike partner Jermaine Beckford.
Just as he did at Southampton a few weeks ago, Nugent cut inside and found the bottom corner of the net with a clinical finish.
City remained threatening on the break and went ahead when Nugent unleashed an unstoppable half-volley from 20 yards out which arrowed towards the top corner, giving Hornets keeper Scott Loach no chance.
That really should have set City on their way but Matt Mills conceded a free-kick 25 yards out and was booked for his remonstrations.
Murray punished him further as his free-kick deflected off Nugent at the end of the City wall and into the bottom corner past the wrong-footed Schmeichel.
City made two substitutions at half time, taking off right-back Peltier for Wes Morgan and moving Sean St Ledger to full-back, and sending on Neil Danns for Danny Drinkwater, who was struggling with an injury at the end of the first half.
With 20 minutes remaining, Gallagher went close with a low strike which zipped past the near post and, from his corner, Morgan headed just wide, but City could not force a breakthrough.
A Danns header was deflected wide as City piled on the pressure but somehow the Hornets survived and occasionally threatened.
Schmeichel had to scramble to touch a John Eustace chip over the bar in the 78th minute.
There was a sting in the tail of the Hornets and, after City had squandered possession, the hosts broke and Forsyth hammered home a low left-footed strike.
City had one last chance to equalise when Beckford was clean through in added-time but was tripped on the edge of the area and Lloyd Doyley was shown a red card.
Gallagher's free-kick was blocked and Danns' attempt sailed over the bar.
22 Comments
View all
by TheGeofflane
Thursday, February 16 2012, 1:37PM
“Could one of the 'knockers' give me a list of Svens midfield signings, and where they are now. Wellens is approaching veteran status and where we'd be without him, God only knows. Won the pen. last week. Put Scattergun's winner on a plate the other night. Oh yes, Scattergun blew it. No matter how much open play we enjoy, Beckford & Co can't convert. Cardiff outplayed, both goals set pieces. Watford played off pitch second half, only Watford scored. Only Gally can score the unexpected, but only once a month. We'll be lucky to keep Nugent, who is class. And no Koren-type goals coming from midfield. Decent reserve goalie? We aint got one.”
by Norman09
Thursday, February 16 2012, 12:53AM
“carlwilks
What are you crowing about. Thigs must be pretty desperate when Jack Hobbs has to score a goal for you You lot have slumped to 7th were only 5 spots behind you lot, and at the moment we are far from our best. So Just imagine when we do hit our straps we will sail past you lot sinking faster than a brick down the table. You keep your apprentice Manager and your owners 8 million quid overdraft. We will keep Nigel with an open cheque book. Anyway if I recall Hull play rugby league don't they. You would do better to follow the egg chasers. Now clear of and post on your own Dull Forum. We get sick of you illiterate people posting on here. Just remember! What goes around comes around.”
by carlwilks
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 7:46PM
“Oh i and forgot to mention is positive interviews, you always get a direct answer, and hes never wrong.
Next season we will see lol, the magic wont leave us. Becuase we dont need to flash the cash, unlike u lot. Load of prima donnas who cant play together, with the exception of Nugent, Konchesky and Schmiechal who are quality. And will move on to pastures new in the summer, when u finish mid table.
Why stay at your team, where the future is bleak, Sharp had you figured out lol, hence is move for Southampton.”
by ghostof66
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 7:36PM
“Flippin heck,, Yet another Hull fan having to come on here to get his kicks,,,, Carlwilks says it all with "hes left us in great shape" His early results at Hull were as bad as here but look at Hull now!
It may not happen this season (but is still possible) but it will next season and probably with some of Hulls players..”
by ghostof66
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 7:31PM
“Patrick, Fair point but I needed to find 33 points and had to go out on a limb with a few predictions to get there...
Put £2 on Watford to win 2-1 so I aint far off normally am I..
Anyway, we have to keep dreaming don't we?”
by daveyboy1963
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 7:28PM
“CARLW&NK$
Typical Dull fan! You know you all love Nigel Pearson, but you can.t admit it! He is the reason why you are where you are. When that magic finally leaves you. which it will! you will be left with a team just about fit for division 2. You may be infront of us now, you may be infront of us next season, but enjoy it for what it is because the CREAM ALWAYS RISES TO THE TOP! AND SH!T SINKS. I can,t wait!
BLUE ARMY! BLUE ARMY!”
by carlwilks
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 6:35PM
“As a Tigers supporter. I really feel for you guys, you gave us s**t loads of money for our ex manager and his wonderful management team, and what have you had for your million a year so far 3 or 4 wins highlight been Cardiff City win or an 5th FA CUP, sorry
(NP)The man thinks hese better than he actually is, its his recruitment staff that are the goldmine, hes clueless, boring and defensive. he then tried to buy the players he left behind and was unloyal too, the man is a joke.
hes left us in great shape because of the recruitment especially the kids from Man United Stewart, Chester, Dudgeon and Brady. But Warren Joyce played a big part too.
You are going nowhere fast, and mid-table is the best you can hope for, heres looking down at you kid,
Whilst we are looking at the play offs, with a young, improving inspiring manager who players respect in Nick Barmby.
Good riddance NIGEL, gone but FORGOTTEN”
by Patrick4939
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 4:33PM
“Ghost of 66
we never appear to beat:
Coventry ( the away game was a rarity)
Ipswich
Bristol
It would be a miracle to get all the results you state with the disjointed performances of late.
22 points maximum.”
by ghostof66
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 4:15PM
“lcfc v.............
Derby away - Draw
Coventry home - WIN
Bristol C away - WIN (Back to back at last!)
Reading away - Loss
Birmingam home - WIN
Forest - Home - WIN
Blackpool away - Loss
Hull home - Draw
Peterborough - WIN
Doncaster home - WIN
Ipswich away - WIN
Millwall away - Draw
Burnley home - WIN
WHU home - WIN
Leeds away - WIN
33 points plus the 42 we have already = 75.... Keep Dreaming....”
by mattyboy1999
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 2:19PM
“Very disappointing to see City come away from this game with nothing. It's a blow to confidence (which was probably high - again for the space of just one game - after beating Cardiff so well at the weekend), and it's a blow to playoff hopes. As far as the bigger picture goes, of course I would like to see Leicester City reach the playoffs, but realistically, even if it does happen, and even if they get promotion that way, would it really be worth it? If Leicester can't string two wins together in this division, can they really expect to survive a season in the Premier League? Of course we all want to see the boys in the big time again, but I would rather see them in there as a team that can at least compete - like Swansea City, for instance - rather than spending a season struggling to stay out of the bottom 3. This team aren't ready for promotion; if they were, they'd be in the top 3 or 4 of this division, instead of languishing in mid-table and losing to teams like Doncaster, Barnsley, and Watford.”