Season Review: February

Gameday 29:

AFC Bournemouth 0-1 City 

Saturday 1 February, 2014 

Goal: Phillips 81 

Attendance: 10,719 

Match Report: 

Kevin Phillips came off the bench to score his first goal for Leicester City and help stretch their lead at the top of the Sky Bet Championship to 10 points with a Club record ninth straight league win at Bournemouth. 

The 40-year-old - now City's oldest-ever scorer - headed home Anthony Knockaert’s cross in the 81st minute in what proved to be the decisive moment in the match, and one which also sees the Foxes win a Club record fifth straight away game. 

Bournemouth goalkeeper Lee Camp had earlier done a great job of keeping the Foxes at bay – tipping Jamie Vardy’s shot onto the post in the first half and somehow denying Knockaert a headed goal after the break. 

Manager Reaction: 

“I think it’s great for the fans that have been here and for our fans who follow us from elsewhere. 

“It’s reward for them and let’s hope that they continue to believe. There’s an awful long way to go so I won’t get drawn into the excitement myself. 

“The emphasis between now and the end of the season will be to maintain the standards that we have set. 

“That is in terms of performance. If we do that then we will win games but it won’t happen for us all the time.” 

League Position: 1 

Gameday 30:

City 2-2 Watford 

Saturday 8 February, 2014 

Goals: James 43, Drinkwater 90; Forestieri 9, Murray 41 

Attendance: 23,635 

Match Report: 

A sensational stoppage time strike from Danny Drinkwater secured a point for Leicester City in an enthralling draw with Watford at King Power Stadium. 

Fernando Forestieri and Sean Murray handed the away side a 2-0 lead against the run of play in a wind-hit first 40 minutes, before a neat half volley from Matty James pulled it back to 2-1 before half-time. 

The Foxes threw the kitchen sink at their stubborn opponents in the second half, dominating possession and creating a number of opportunities, but looked to have been frustrated until Drinkwater’s stunning 20-yard half-volley found its way into the top corner. 

It was a goal that moved City 11 points clear at the top, and extended their unbeaten run in the league to 11 games. 

Manager Reaction: 

“I’m slightly disappointed not to be able to achieve 10 wins on the trot, but let’s be honest, the run that we’ve been on has been very, very good. 

“We’re 11 unbeaten and I think we deserved to get at least a point. We’re disappointed with the goals we conceded, but you’ve got to give Watford credit for the way they set up against us – they were disciplined and made it hard for us. 

“For us to come away with something is a positive outcome for us because we played exceptionally well. 

“Between now and the end of the season it is going to be about getting performances right. If we do that I’m sure we’ll be able to get enough results to achieve what we want.” 

League Position: 1 

Gameday 31:

Nottingham Forest 2-2 City 

Wednesday 19 February, 2014 

Goals: Paterson 39, Reid pen 43; Vardy 30, Mahrez 82 

Attendance: 24,808 

Match Report: 

A dramatic late equaliser from Riyad Mahrez handed the 10 men of Leicester City a brilliant point against promotion rivals Nottingham Forest in a thrilling Sky Bet Championship encounter at the City Ground. 

Jamie Vardy had given the Foxes a deserved lead on the half hour mark when confusion in the Forest defence saw strike partner David Nugent tee him up for an easy finish into an unguarded net. However two goals in five minutes had the hosts in front at the break. 

First Jamie Paterson guided a bullet header into the top corner before Andy Reid converted from the penalty spot after Wes Morgan brought down Jamie Mackie inside the box. 

City’s task was made harder when Paul Konchesky was given his marching orders on the hour for a foul on Mackie, but the Foxes dug deep and with eight minutes left were awarded a penalty. 

Kevin Phillips – now City’s oldest-ever outfield player – saw his shot from 12 yards saved, but Matty James rescued the ball to square for Mahrez to net his first for the Club and help the team move eight points clear at the summit. 

Manager Reaction: 

“I think it’s an important point for us. We showed a good attitude to get something out of the game and even late on after we equalised we kept on making opportunities for ourselves and we always tried to look for the winner. It was an interesting game. 

“We showed that desire to get back into it and it’s a testament to the players’ commitment in terms of how they go about playing. 

“I’m really pleased for the fans tonight, going back from here with a point and we’ve been really well supported again. 

“It’s good to keep an unbeaten run going. Unfortunately the last two games we have drawn 2-2 and had to come from behind on both occasions. But that shows that we have different strengths, plenty of very capable players technically and a positive collective spirit too.” 

League Position: 1 

Gameday 32: 

City 3-0 Ipswich Town 

Saturday 22 February, 2014 

Goals: Vardy 19, Nugent 31, Wood 88 

Attendance: 28,078 

Match Report: 

David Nugent’s 50th Leicester City goal helped maintain the Foxes’ eight-point lead at the top of the Sky Bet Championship with a convincing King Power Stadium victory over Ipswich Town. 

Nugent’s strike partner Jamie Vardy opened the scoring in the 19th minute when he picked up a loose back pass from Jay Tabb to round the goalkeeper and grab his 12th of the campaign. 

Shortly afterwards Nugent added a second from a Ritchie De Laet cross to reach his landmark for Leicester and also take his tally against the Tractor Boys to an astonishing 14 goals in 13 games. 

Substitute Chris Wood then added a third late on with a nice finish from a Matty James pass to make certain of all three points as City extended their unbeaten league run to 13 matches. 

Manager Reaction: 

“[Most pleasing was] The result, keeping a clean sheet and being able to win the game, in the end, relatively comfortably. 

“Whenever the score line is 2-0, as we’ve experienced in the last two games, you can get a foothold in the game. So for us the last goal was very important and all in all it was a very good performance from our players. 

“We have been making sure that when sides come to our place, we don’t disappoint their expectations. What I mean by that is that they expect us to be on the front foot when they come here and I don’t think we’ve disappointed sides too often this season. 

“For the most part we’ve played very well at home, and the sides that have caused us the most problems, normally we’ve been able to find the solutions to those problems. Again it was about getting the three points and I suppose it doesn’t really matter how you get them, it’s just about winning the game, but it’s nice to play well as well.” 

League Position: 1 

Top scorer: Jamie Vardy (2 goals) 

High Point: When Kevin Phillips came off the bench to score the winning goal against Bournemouth, not only did he become the Club’s oldest-ever goalscorer, if also set new records for consecutive league wins – nine in total and five on the road. 

Low Point: A red card for Paul Konchesky against Nottingham Forest meant the experienced left back would miss the next three games.