Derby Day Requires Replay

Super Fox Fan SCOTT DAVIES was at Prideless Park to watch a gripping 2-2 draw with the Sheep…..

The Foxes travelled to Pride Park for the first time in 3 seasons as they were drawn against local rivals Derby County in the 4th Round of the FA Cup. The last time City met the Rams at Pride Park they were 1-0 winners thanks to a Grant (GK) own goal in the 37th minute.

5 of Leicesters starting line up featured in that match (Schmeichel, Drinkwater, Morgan, King, Vardy) as Ranieri reverted his team back to a 4-4-2, although he chose the unorthodox selection of Fuchs and Chilwell playing together on the left.

The Foxes got the game under way and it was them who took the lead with a comical own goal from Darren Bent. Albrighton whipped in a corner from the right and Huth leapt highest to power a header back into the 6 yards box. The ball found its way goalwards and Bent only had to lump the ball out to safety but instead sliced it into his own net. Was 2013/14 about to repeat itself?

City failed to take control of the game having been gifted the lead and Derby looked most likely to get the next goal and indeed they did on 21. The Foxes initially cleared their lines from a corner after Schmeichel punched clear, but only as far as the dangerous Will Hughes who floated a ball into to Bent who quickly made amends for his earlier error. Poor defending once again from the Foxes backline.

Okazaki did well on 26 as he and Vardy combined on a quick counter attack. The Japanese striker forced a great save from Scott Carson who palmed the ball out for a corner. Fuchs and Albrighton were the stand out performers in the first half, but there was no height in the box to capitalise on either crosses or long throws.

The Rams dealt City a sucker punch on 40 as they went 2-1 up thanks to some poor defending once again. King, Drinkwater, Morgan and Huth all let Craig Bryson waltz through unchallenged, to drill a shot past Schmeichel to give City a real uphill battle.

There was a chorus of boos from the City fans at half time, which I thought was harsh.

Ranieri realised that Fuchs and Chilwell together wasn’t working and Fuchs made way for Demarai Gray. Fuchs can feel a little aggrieved as he was one of the best performers, but something had to give and Chilwell hardly put a foot wrong in the first half either.

City looked much better in the second period and there was a flurry of chances early on in the half. On 49, the ball fell kindly to Gray in the box just a few yards from goal, but the England under 21 fired his shot straight at Carson. A minute later Vardy slotted in Gray who side footed a shot onto the post with the rebound falling to Okazaki. His first shot was well blocked and he may feel he should have done better with the follow up which was saved by Carson at the second attempt. City perhaps should have scored, but at least they were creating chances.

The Foxes dominated possession and played some decent football. Certainly better than in the past 2 games.

On 64, Okazaki made way for Riyad Mahrez following his early (but welcome) return from the ACON. Derby looked scared to death of the Algerian who showed some sublime skill at times. Musa then replaced Albrighton on 74 minutes who had his first sight of goal on 76 but the Nigerian snatched at his shot and dragged it well wide of the post with a really poor effort.

Time was running out for Leicester, however Derby were tiring and the Foxes kept going and were rewarded for their efforts on 87 minutes. Demarai Gray delivered a nice ball from a corner on the left and City Captain Wes Morgan rose above everyone and powered an unstoppable header past former England stopper Carson.

Both teams could have won it in the dying stages. Firstly, Derby’s Abdoul Camara forced his way into the box before unleashing an effort on goal. The ball went between Chilwell’s legs before bouncing up off Huth’s knee and hitting his hand. Strong appeals for a penalty were waved away and it would have been harsh had Clattenberg given it. It certainly wasn’t deliberate, but was Huth’s hand in an unnatural position?

Mahrez then showed some magic on the ball at the other end to carve out a chance for Danny Drinkwater. The England mans shot was parried away by Carson, with no blue shirt in the box to follow it up.

City had 62% of the play, they had 14 shots with 6 on target and won 11 corners. I personally thought it was decent performance in what was a cracking cup tie between local rivals who are unbeaten at home in their past 10 games.

We go into the 5th round draw and the replay is set for 8th February 2017 at 7:45pm. Tickets go on Sale to STH on Monday 30th January priced at just £10. Check out the official site, as Derby have taken their full allocation and some blocks need to move their Season Tickets as a result.

City now have to focus on Burnley away on Tuesday, but there is also the little matter of the transfer window with some fans feeling frustrated we seem to be leaving things late again. That said, the January window is notoriously difficult to get players as the games come thick and fast and the league is starting to shape up towards the business end of the season. One thing for sure is that we definitely need another centre back or two as Morgan and Huth can’t do it on their own week in week out.

Man of the Match – Marc Albrighton

Follow Scott @flipflopflyer