Leicester City In The 21st Century: 2003/04
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01
Equipping City for the Premier League
While Leicester City were able to work in the transfer market after administration, Micky Adams would still need to work with a shoe-string budget. In came Les Ferdinand, Steve Howey, Riccardo Scimeca, Paul Brooker, Danny Coyne, Keith Gillespie, Lilian Nalis and Craig Hignett on free transfers, while £300,000 was outlaid on Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Thatcher.
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02
Three Lions in Leicester
Ahead of the pre-season visit of Barcelona to face Leicester in a friendly fixture on Filbert Way, Walkers Stadium also staged an international friendly between England and Serbia & Montenegro in June. Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole found the net for the Three Lions in a 2-1 success, while former Fox Emile Heskey wore the captain's armband on his return to Leicester.
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03
Ready for the new season
Securing top-flight experience seemed to be Micky Adams' strategy in the transfer market as plans were concluded for the new season. The Blue Army held their breath and hoped it would be enough.
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04
Delight and despair on day one
Life back in the Premier League could hardly have got off to a better start for Leicester, who raced into a two-goal lead over Southampton at Walkers Stadium, courtesy of a spot-kick from Paul Dickov and a brave header from new signing Les Ferdinand. Kevin Phillips and James Beattie, though, hit back for the Saints to secure a 2-2 draw.
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05
So near, yet so far
City's second game of 2003/04 was another intriguing one as they faced Claudio Ranieri's Chelsea in their first game at Stamford Bridge following Roman Abramovich's takeover. Despite Lilian Nalis' third-minute own goal, James Scowcroft levelled for the Foxes in the capital, but Adrian Mutu reestablished the Blues' lead in a game which also saw Geremi and Riccardo Scimeca sent off.
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06
A famous Leeds triumph
The highlight of Leicester's start to the 2003/04 season undoubtedly came on 15 September as the Foxes booked a 4-0 victory over Leeds United. A screamer from Lilian Nalis set the tone, before Paul Dickov bagged a brace and James Scowcroft headed in for the home side.
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07
An international showcase
More international prestige came to Leicester in October as Walkers Stadium played host to a friendly between world champions Brazil and Foxes defender Frank Sinclair's Jamaica. A long-range effort from Roberto Carlos settled a colourful occasion on Filbert Way.
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08
An afternoon to forget
Three goals to the good - thanks to a double from Les Ferdinand and a single goal from Riccardo Scimeca - Leicester appeared to be on course for a comprehensive triumph at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Quite sensationally, however, the day took a turn and Colin Cameron (2), Alex Rae and Henri Camara gave Wolves a 4-3 win at Molineux.
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09
Back-to-back wins
Following a 2-0 success over Blackburn Rovers, Micky Adams' men made it two in two on 9 November as Jordan Stewart, Paul Dickov and on-loan striker Marcus Bent goals led to a 3-0 win at Manchester City. City would go on to draw with Charlton Athletic and then beat Portsmouth at Fratton Park in a decent run of form, before the visit of unbeaten Arsenal...
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10
Last-minute joy
Arsenal were quickly becoming the major talking point of 2003/04 as they remained unbeaten in December. Arséne Wenger's men appeared on course for victory in Leicester after Gilberto Silva's opener, but in the 90th minute, up stepped Craig Hignett to bundle home a last-ditch equaliser for the Foxes after Ashley Cole's red card.
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11
A morale-boosting victory
That excellent result against the Gunners was followed by 12 games without a win and Leicester approached a visit to Birmingham City on 13 March on the back of a week of unwelcome newspaper headlines. However, Les Ferdinand's goal against Steve Bruce's men - who had ex-City midfielder Robbie Savage among their ranks - secured a massive 1-0 win at St. Andrew's Stadium.
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12
An opportunity missed
The Foxes' hopes of survival were in the balance when they hosted Manchester City at Walkers Stadium on 24 April. Despite Michael Tarnat's opener for the visitors, James Scowcroft levelled the scores for City later on and, when Paul Dickov stepped up for a penalty with eight minutes to go, the home side had a real chance to secure three points. The Scottish forward, though, was denied by David James and Micky Adams' men settled for a point.
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13
Relegation back to the second tier
The Club's situation was less than desirable when they went to the Valley to tackle Charlton Athletic on 1 May. A 2-2 draw - including two stunners from Marcus Bent and Les Ferdinand - wasn't enough for the Foxes, who suffered relegation back to the First Division. Ultimately, conceding late goals in games throughout the season had cost Leicester dearly.
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14
A fond farewell
City were at least able to end their home campaign with a 3-1 success over Portsmouth in an occasion perhaps best remembered as Muzzy Izzet's last outing on Filbert Way in a Leicester shirt. The Turkey international left the Club having won two promotions and two League Cups.
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15
Tackling the Invincibles
The final day presented Leicester with the chance to put a dent into Arsenal's title celebrations. If the north London side could avoid defeat at Highbury, they would have gone the length of 2003/04 unbeaten, but former Gunners forward Paul Dickov caused a shock when he put City in front. Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, though, got the champions back on track in a 2-1 win for the hosts.
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