Pearson: Thoroughly Professional

The Foxes tore into Simon Grayson’s Terriers to make a winning start to 2013 – debutant Chris Wood hitting the first two in a 6-1 romp.

Ritchie De Laet made it three with his first for the Foxes before the break, before Frenchman Anthony Knockaert hit a dazzling double shortly after the interval.

Scott Arfield replied for the visitors, but substitute Martyn Waghorn slammed in from Wood’s knockdown as City hit half-a-dozen at home for the second time this term.

“I thought it was a very good team performance,” Pearson said post-match.

“We’ve had a bit of a tough run of late, where performances haven’t returned the points we have perhaps deserved, but if you look at the Christmas and New Year period together, the only game where we’ve been beaten was one we should have won against Cardiff.

“We’ve done ok and we’ve hung in there through a bit of a tough period, but the players have shown a lot of character.

“It was a thoroughly professional performance today.”

Wood’s contribution unquestionably grabbed the headlines as the New Zealand international made a dream start to his Foxes career.

But while full of praise for his imminent signing from West Bromwich Albion – actually playing on a temporary loan arrangement while his transfer is completed – Pearson typically kept his focus on an outstanding group display.

“He played his part in what was a very positive team performance. His attributes fit the bill for us, he’s a team player, he works exceptionally hard and I think he shows a lot of footballing intelligence too.

“It’s pleasing for him to get off to the start that he has, but it’s about the group and I thought we played very well.

“It gives us a real tonic ahead of what is a very important part of the season now.”