Pearson: Potentially Season-Defining

David Nugent’s 71st-minute goal, his 13th of the season, and Kasper Schmeichel’s last-gasp penalty save from Marvin Emnes gave Pearson’s men a fourth successive league win in sub-zero conditions at King Power Stadium.

Victory in an intriguing tactical battle against one of their nearest promotion rivals was enough to take City above Hull and into the division’s top two ahead of Saturday’s games.

“It could be season-defining if we win the next few,” Pearson admitted.

“It was an interesting game tactically and when you win tight games like that it’s pleasing, especially against a side with the same incentive as you – to go second in the league.

“We started 4-4-2 and changed to 4-3-3 for a short period to get a foothold. In the first half we were a bit careless, but in the second half we went back to 4-4-2 and dealt with the ball better, which had the biggest bearing on the result.

“It was an important period of the game when we scored and for Kasper to make the save when he did made a huge difference to how the night’s work is perceived.

“It was a tight game that either side could have won, but, given the number of chances we created, we could argue we deserved to win it.”

Extreme weather conditions in Leicester throughout the day made it difficult for a number of supporters to get to King Power Stadium, resulting in a modest attendance of 8,585.

Pearson admitted it was a pity that more supporters couldn’t have been there for a game that was a credit to the division, but hoped the victory would provide them with some solace.

“A lot of our players and staff found it difficult getting here today, there’s not a lot you can do when it takes you two and three hours to travel a few miles,” he said.

“Some of our lads had to ditch their cars on the way here, but they got here and that’s the main thing.

“It’s not been ideal, but I think both sides performed in a way that was a credit to the division.

“It was a shame for those that couldn’t get here, but hopefully we put on a good display for those that stayed at home and watched it, or watched it in the local.

“The ground staff have worked exceptionally hard to get the game on, the logistics were always going to be difficult, but the performance of both sides was fitting of that sort of effort.”