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Leicester ended the game with just 9 men on the pitch, and whilst referee Mike Riley incurred the wrath of the home support, perhaps those Leicester fans should take an objective look, and realise that it was not Mr Riley who elbowed David Dunn in the face, and it was not Mr Riley who handled the ball fifteen yards outside of his area.
With Christophe Dugarry out injured, and Matthew Upson returning from injury, there were at least two inevitable changes to the Blues side that caved in against Blackburn Rovers a week ago. In fact, Steve Bruce made three alterations to the starting eleven. Clinton Morrison earned a recall in place of Dugarry. Olivier Tebily was dropped for Upson (incidentally, Tebily was not even on the bench, and one can only hope that he hasn't been made scapegoat for the Blackburn game), whilst Stephen Clemence was recalled at the expense of Stan Lazaridis, meaning David Dunn moved back into a wide role.
Blues started the game somewhat nervously, perhaps wary of another defeat. Dunn, uncharacteristically settled for simple ten yard passes instead of taking on the man, and whilst Blues looked fairly comfortable, they were never going to get anywhere, and it allowed the home side to build some momentum. Unsurprisingly, it was Robbie Savage who got Blues going with some tough tackling which incensed the Leicester fans who had given him a standing ovation before the game.
Neither side were looking too dangerous, though the home side did have more of the play. The game was becoming a little fiery however, with James Scowcroft booked after elbowing and kicking Jamie Clapham within a minute, before the excellent Damien Johnson was booked for leaving his foot in on Ben Thatcher.
The first major turning point of the game was after 37 minutes, when Matt Elliott and David Dunn contested a ball around the halfway line. Unfortunately for Dunn, Elliott's idea of a contest was to elbow the former Blackburn midfielder in the face, leaving the referee no option other than to brandish the red card and leaving Dunn needing treatment.
Four minutes later, Blues took the lead following an excellent move. Dunn played a superb reverse ball down the line for Clapham, who sent in a low cross that was met expertly by Morrison in his first Premiership start for some 8 months.
At half-time, the home support let their feelings be known to Mr Riley, whilst Leicester manager Micky Adams dragged several of his players away from the official, before launching into something of a tirade himself, which consequently resulted in him being banished to the stands in the second half, after technically Leicester's second dismissal of the afternoon. Whilst Mike Riley had made some errors, he had been left with little choice with regards the Elliott incident, and had been more than leniant with both Les Ferdinand and Paul Dickov who may have had far more joy against a nervy Blues side had they focussed their efforts on playing football rather than abusing and berating the assistant referee.
Leicester came out fired up for the second half, inspired by Alan Birchenall who never fails to offer his unnecessary opinions on the pitch at half time. Are Leicester the only club in the country who are allowed such an opinionated oaf to stir up ill-feeling in the stands by spouting biassed garbage during the fifteen minute interval?
Whilst Leicester toiled, Blues settled and began to look a bit more dangerous. On the hour mark, Blues received another massive boost in their quest for three points by a moment of absolute madness by England goalkeeper Ian Walker. Walker had charged out of his area to clear the ball, but his effort merely rebounded off Mikael Forssell towards him. Only Walker knows what he was thinking, but some fifteen yards outside off his area, he dived on the ball and grasped it with both hands. After about 5 seconds of the most obvious indiscretion seen on a football pitch this season, he thought he should let go of the ball, and proceeded to bizarrely argue his case to Mr Riley, who again had no option but to send the player off. It really was one of those moments of goalkeeping madness that could earn the 'Enckelman' tag.
Blues were now not surprisingly in control, what with being 1-0 up and playing against nine men. Savage's free-kick from Walker's mega-blunder dipped just over substitute 'keeper Danny Coyne's crossbar, but just minutes later, Savage was assisting Forssell in making it 2-0. The Welshman's cross following a corner was perfect, and the Finnish international marksman just doesn't miss inside the area, and made no mistake on this occasion with his header.
Savage had now gone from hero to villain in the eyes of the Leicester fans, as only Robbie Savage can. They had cheered him prior to kick-off, but now his constant over-enthusiastic tackling (all fair tackles, by the way), his arguing with officials, but most importantly his kissing of the Blues badge and constant looks and gestures to the visiting fans were really beginning to grate. Unsurprisingly he was booed when Aliou Cisse replaced him late on.
Substitute Stan Lazaridis missed a sitter from some 4 yards out as Blues comfortably controlled proceedings, eventually playing the ball from side to side in a bid to see out time. Whilst some Blues fans were disappointed that the side didn't push for more goals, considering the form the team has been in, can you blame them for not wanting to make mistakes?
It was a good win for Blues, but they were helped by Leicester's own implosion. Still, as Tom Ross always says, you can only beat what is put in front of you, and that's exactly what Blues did. Every man did a job, with some better than others, and that's certainly more than we've been seeing of late. A good result, a little step in the right direction, but more is still required.