Match verdict: Charlton stunner rocks Leicester City's hopes
Leicester City suffered a huge blow to their hopes of promotion to the Premier League with a 2-1 defeat at home to Charlton last night.
Manager Nigel Pearson fielded a full-strength team after making several changes for the FA Cup defeat against Huddersfield last week.
Former City striker Yann Kermorgant came back to haunt his old club by putting Charlton on the way to victory, and Danny Haynes cancelled out Chris Wood's equaliser.
3 min: Anthony Knockaert does well to wriggle free on the edge of the box and test Ben Hamer with a left-footed strike which the Charlton keeper pushes around the post for a corner.
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7 min: Bradley Pritchard picks up the ball from a long kick and fires wide from distance. Charlton are going very direct, with former City striker Yann Kermorgant the targetman, and have started quite well.
9 min: Good combination between Ben Marshall and Paul Konchesky, and Konchesky just fails to pick out a City player inside the area. The ball comes back into the area and Wes Morgan heads over.
19 min: GOAL 0-1 A terrible mistake by Danny Drinkwater gifts the ball to Pritchard inside the City box and he pulls the ball back for Kermorgant, who stuns his former side with a neat finish. It was a blind pass backwards from Drinkwater and City have been punished for a sloppy start.
30 min: Johnnie Jackson is booked for a rash challenge but there is no question that the visitors are winning the 50-50s, to the frustration of City fans.
35 min: City just cannot get their passing going and squander possession repeatedly. The front two of Chris Wood and David Nugent just cannot seem to get hold of the ball and provide City with a platform for their attacks. Credit to Charlton for their doggedness in defence.
37 min: City surge forward and Marshall's shot is spilled by Hamer, but the Addicks keeper gathers at the feet of Nugent.
39 min: A piece of City quality as Ritchie De Laet surges down the right and beats two defenders before teeing up Knockaert, but the Frenchman scoops his finish over the bar.
45+1 min: Marshall cuts inside off the left flank and shoots from 20 yards but it is way wide. That sums up the first half for City.
45+1 min: Jackson shoots from 20 yards out but it is wide of the target.
H-t: min: City 0 Charlton 1
49 min: Knockaert again gives away possession and Pritchard is almost sent clean through but takes his shot early with Konchesky closing in and fires wildly wide.
52 min: Schmeichel makes a hash of Jackson's high ball but redeems himself with a good save to deny another former City player, Michael Morrison, a second for the visitors.
58 min: Morgan's pass dissects the Charlton defence and wood finishes but he is flagged off-side.
64 min: Marshall's corner flashes across the Charlton box but Nugent and Morgan cannot get a vital touch to it.
64 min: CITY SUBSTITUTIONS Paul Gallagher for Marshall, Lloyd Dyer for Knockaert.
67 min: Wood shoots from outside the box and it appears to hit Leon Cort on the arm. Referee Michael Naylor gives a corner.
69 min: GOAL 1-1 De Laet makes another surging run into the box and the ball ricochets into the path of Wood who slots home.
75 min: Konchesky's deep cross is headed into the area by De Laet and the ball falls for Wood, but he hooks his half volley over the bar.
79 min: GOAL 1-2 Danny Haynes scores with a dipping half-volley on the turn just minutes after coming on. City had showed signs of taking control and that goal has come out of the blue.
79 min: CITY SUBSTITUTION Andy King for James.
88 min: Wood's deflected shot is inches wide with Hamer stranded. City are having no luck.
88 min: Hamer touches Drinkwater's strike from distance around the post at full stretch.
90+4 min: Wood has a great chance with a free-kick on the edge of the area but his strike beats the wall and flashes past the far post.
f-t: City 1 Charlton 2
16 Comments
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by dobranich
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 5:07PM
“As the Meercat says "simples" We were rubbish and we lost ....period”
by LCFC_Dave15
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 2:19PM
“FlipFlop, you are a true fan. Well done for sticking up for the team and manager, credit to ya!! Up the foxes”
by Stigman
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 11:44AM
“Full marks to Charlton. They had worked out that is they hassled and harried and didn't let us settle every time we got the ball, we would become frustrated and make mistakes that they could capitalise on, and so it proved. Now this has been sussed, we can expect more of the same in future.
Last night the ball was in the air rather too much for my taste. This is not our best game, but we were forced into it by Charlton's tactics. Surround the player with the ball, and make him look for a quick way to get rid of the ball. There was a lot of boot it anywhere to get rid from our players, and of course that often resulted in our losing possession. When we did manage a considered bass, it was usually sideways or backwards. So we could not string a game together, and our frustration led to mistakes. We don't seem to know how to deal with that tactic, and I'm sure that lesson won't be lost on the other teams we have to face this season.”
by Valefox1
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 11:35AM
“Flipflop calm down, we know that a lot of fans are very fickle, and they will change their colours when the need takes them, most of us look at the bigger picture and accept that there will be ups and downs, the difference is that the true fans will stick with it through thick and thin, some will moan and have a go regardless and others will resurface at the first sign of a wobble.”
by Truecarlos
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 11:24AM
“The problem with NP is that he is 1D he has no back up plan!
I never have been a fan from the first time in charge so hear me out, Powell and Fergie Jnr did their homework and tatically done us...simple as have most of the division, snuff out knocky and co and stop balls into the box, you could sign Tevez and still not score if he has no supply.
Adding to this players that have ideas above their ability.”
by flipflopflyer
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 10:54AM
“Sack the manager and get Adkins in? What o he can work ith the exact same players Pearson has at his disposal!?
Absolute morons on this site! Forget the cup, we have just lost two league games in a row, however before that had won 5 in a row. Where were you doom merchants when we were on a good run?
Cardiff lost last night and if they lose their nex game, that would be two league games in a row. Do you think they will sack their manager!?
Cretins.....”
by LCFC_Dave15
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 9:53AM
“By the way, we have to give Gally a lot of credit, he came on and helped us score the goal. He has been a true pro considering he has been a bench warmer for most of the season. The way we are playing at the mo, i wouldn't mind him playing with Knocky on the other side. Up the blues!!”
by Alanprichard
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 9:44AM
“mmmmmmm very poor result. I think Ghosty you have summed up very well with the 0-10 assessments. Nigel is clueless at times and last nights tactical display clearly pointed that out.
Fair dues to Nigels apprentice Chris Powell, he out thought his boss, and grabbed all three points. It looks like the wheels are on the slippery slope. We have some tough games coming up so here we go again..
it seems to be the same every season lately, one step forward, and a couple back. Nigel you will have to get down of your high horse and start listening to your faithful City supporters. Because as the old adage goes, given enough rope blah, blah, blah. I will expect to hear Nigel's excuses over the course of the day.”
by Alanprichard
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 9:41AM
“mmmmmmm very poor result. I think Ghosty you have summed up very well with the 0-10 assessments. Nigel is clueless at times and last nights tactical display clearly pointed that out.
Fair dues to Nigels apprentice Chris Powell, he out thought his boss, and grabbed all three points. It looks like the wheels are on the slippery slope. We have some tough games coming up so here we go again..
it seems to be the same every season lately, one step forward, and a couple back. Nigel you will have to get down of your high horse and start listening to your faithful City supporters. Because as the old adage goes, given enough rope blah, blah, blah. I will expect to hear Nigel's excuses over the course of the day.”
by LCFC_Dave15
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 9:30AM
“I know people think my posts are childish, but hey i see the bare facts as the rest of you do, and i understand in the last three or four games we have been quite poor. BUT, i keep positive. Thats the only way. I am sooo disappointed that we lost last night, but i know we will bounce back. As a team we havent been firing on all cylinders. But people easily forget that its the EXACT same players bar Wood that have got us to second and even first place. Were people having a right go at the players and Pearson then???? No. So, if everyone on these posts are true foxes fans, get behind our group of players and Pearson. Hull aren't unreachable, they aren't as good as Cardiff and will lose games. And remember we have two games in hand. Pearson IS the right man to get us promoted, his squad ethic is brill. Our players are great on their day too. Bear in mind at the start of the season we lost 3 in a row. Then we played blackpool, won 1-0, and things went uphill. Lets hope the same happens on Saturday. Up the Blues, just you wait till we are in the Premier!!!!!!”