Pearson: Victory Was Paramount

Pearson’s men produced another resolute display on the road to close out 2012 with a much-needed victory that helped them stay in touch with the sides chasing automatic promotion in the npower Championship.

And while his players may not have been at their best at Turf Moor, Pearson said it was the type of game City need to be winning more often.

“I don’t think either side played awfully well and we were disappointed that we didn’t manage the ball well in the first half, but one of the things we haven’t done particularly well this season is win tight, scruffy games and I suppose we’ve done that today,” Pearson said post-match.

“In the second half we had a bit more control and created a few more opportunities, but it was about winning the game today.

“We’ve had tough spells where we’ve played well and things haven’t always gone our way and it’s probably affected the confidence of the players, but today was about getting three points, no matter how we did it.

“It’s good to finish the year on a decent note.”

Nugent’s goal against his former club was a 12th of the season for the England international and a 20th goal of 2012.

And Pearson thought the winner was a just reward for the striker’s hard work while operating alone up front.

“He’d be the first to admit that he prefers to play in a 4-4-2 and we have played that system for the most part, but today we wanted to get Anthony Knockaert into positions that would suit him,” Pearson explained.

“Things didn’t work out as we would have liked but, having said that, David Nugent worked particularly hard today and got his reward with scoring his goal.

“It was a good finish, but a scruffy game all in all.”

City return to King Power Stadium on Tuesday, when they kick-off 2013 against Huddersfield Town (kick-off 3pm).