Worthington Cup 4th Round: Wednesday 11 November 1998 Leicester City 2 - 1 Leeds United (Half-time: 0 - 1) Crowd: 20161 Referee: P E Alcock (Redhill)
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Leicester (rambling) - Neil Rickman

Team: 4-3-3 (?): Martyn - Harte, Molenaar, Woodgate, Hiden - Ribeiro, Bowyer, Hopkin - Hasselbaink, Winhjard, Kewell (hard to tell whether he was left midfield or left wing).

Leicester: depleted; no Cottee, Walsh up front, Heskey injured and replaced by Parker at half-time.

We dominated for a good 60 minutes and looked comfortable for the victory. I imagine that all of our players left the ground, as I did, bemused as to how we contrived to lose. The only real periods of difficulty were the last 20 minutes before half-time (by which we had a deserved lead from a lucky goal - a Kewell header which bounced over Keller), and the last few minutes when Leicester became a bit more frantic and pushed Elliot forward. Even then, we didn't look like conceding - until we did!

For those who've watched the dire fayre that's been our last 3 consecutive defeats to Leicester, this match was rather different. We generally dealt well with them at he back (Woodgate looking extremely composed) and matched their creative midfield for running, ball-winning and play. This meant that we were able to put their defence under more pressure, which kept Elliot and Savage pinned back more. They still had one thing we lack: an ability to get behind defences to put in a dangerous cross (last night it was Guppy) but we generally dealt with these - and Martyn looked good on crosses.

The first 25 minutes of the second half were like the same period against Spurs: pretty much total control and, apparently, a matter of when we would add to the lead. We had a number of promising breaks which came to nothing. We move the ball slowly (Harte being a prime example), lack instant control of it (Harte, Winjhard, Hopkin) and, with the exception of Bowyer, don't support well from midfield. Also, once the ball moves to the right, we're short of anyone to move the play on (Hiden being the only option).

Apart from Woodgate, the other thing to strike me about last night was the gains from playing two strikers. Although I don't think Winjhard (sp?) is the answer yet - he never seems to keep hold of the ball and his anticipation is poor (at present) - we seem to benefit from playing 2 up front. Kewell was more effective than he has been on the left, and Jimmy gains a bit more space. In general, I thought Jimmy worked hard last night (including several pieces of stout defending). He forced several good saves from Keller. I agree with Mike Sewell's remarks after the Roma game last week: we don't need to replace Jimmy, we need to find him a (tall) partner and some decent service (especially from the flanks).

We've now been pulled back in 5 games this season (others: Wimbledon, Forest, Derby, Spurs) and should also have beaten 'Boro, Villa, Chelsea (Roma away?). For me the key here is guile, inventiveness and Radebe: we lack the first in midfield and the flanks; we lack the latter because of injury and this has arguably cost us a couple of sloppy goals (both last night and Derby's second). The combination of these would, I think, have killed off most of these games.

Late Leicester report - Matt G

Woodgate had a storming game, one tackle on Heskey was awesome, not only stopped a goal but resulted in Heskey limping off. With no strikers left Leicester posed no threat in the 2nd half and we had all the possession in their half, without making many decent chances.

Then the last couple of minutes, Martyn was definitely at fault for goal one. Woodgate would have got to the ball first and could have cleared or headed back to Martyn if he'd stayed put. Great finish from Izzet but he shouldn't have had a chance.

Second - Izzet looked miles offside and then he was actually veering away from goal when Big Bob fouled him.Another unnecessary goal.

Scores
Martyn 5 - Great keeper but cost us a win this time.
Hiden 7 - Solid, unspectacular
Woodgate 9 - Excellent MOM. Glad's he's available for 'Pool.
Bob 7 - Won everything in the air v Walsh, but crucial mistake again.
Harte 7 - Decent game, done nothing wrong at back, some good crosses.
Bruno 6 - Worked hard, but nothing special.
Hoppy 7 - Fell over whilst in possession with no-one near him once, but definitely looking fitter this year.
Bowyer 8 - Ray Clemence was meant to be watching for Hoddle, why don't they pick him, past indescretions ?
Kewell 8 - Getting his confidence back and most importantly very lucky at the moment.
Jimmy 7 - Greedy but you can live with that in a striker, looked much improved with some support.
Clyde 6 - Missed a couple of decent chances, but gave team better balance and tried hard.

Overall played well, just need to turn it into results. Will we be brave enough to play 3 up v Liverpool - doubt it.

Atmosphere - Good on Wednesday, no racist crap, decent turnout, lots of chants of; "Oh Martin O'Neill Stay at Leicester City And you'll win f*** all." Pubs - Leicester - Star and something up the hill behind the hospital, friendly, nice food.

Izzet steals victory - Paul White

Mustafa Izzet filched victory from under Leeds's noses at Filbert Street last night to give his manager more than one reason to be cheerful.

In the 88th minute Izzet equalised Harry Kewell's 18th-minute goal, lobbing home from fully 30 yards after seizing on a headed clearance from outside the penalty area by Nigel Martyn. Three minutes later Izzet was brought down by Robert Molenaar; Garry Parker converted the penalty.

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