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Hull 0 Leicester 0 match report

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Hull 0 Leicester 0: Honours even as promotion chasers play out a damp squib on Humberside

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UPDATED:

18:27 GMT, 26 December 2012

Hull were unable to provide any kind of celebration on their 10th anniversary since moving into the KC Stadium following a goalless draw with fellow promotion chasers Leicester.

Not even the return of former Tigers boss Nigel Pearson was enough to enliven a cold and damp afternoon on Humberside as both sides failed to live up to their lofty positions in the npower Championship table.

Jay Simpson saw a shot cleared off the line by Richie De Laet in the first half, but otherwise Pearson engineered a rearguard to frustrate his second-placed former employers.

It was the Foxes third successive match without scoring, highlighting Pearson's desire for a striker in next month's transfer window, but it was a point earned for the visitors after back-to-back defeats.

Goalless: Hull City's Sone Aluko (middle) fails to find the net in the 0-0 draw with Leicester City

Goalless: Hull City's Sone Aluko (middle) fails to find the net in the 0-0 draw with Leicester City

MATCH FACTS

Hull: Jakupovic, Chester, Faye (Proschwitz 84), Hobbs, Elmohamady, Evans (Cairney 71), Koren, Quinn, Brady, Aluko (Rosenior 84), Simpson.

Subs Not Used: Amos, Mclean, McShane, Olofinjana.

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet (Moore 46), Whitbread, Morgan, Konchesky, Drinkwater, Knockaert, Marshall, King (Gallagher 82), James, Nugent (Waghorn 67).

Subs Not Used: Logan, Dyer, Schlupp, Futacs.

Booked: De Laet, Whitbread

Attendance: 20,321

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire).

Latest Championship table, fixtures and results

Pearson left the KC Stadium in acrimonious circumstance to return to Leicester 13 months ago and the home fans took little time to remind of their antipathy towards him – directing a couple of derisory chants as their team made the best of the opening exchanges.

Simpson turned a weak side-footed shot wide when well placed before Paul Konchesky was forced into an awkward headed clearance inside his own six-yard box.

Leicester were hardly on the back-foot though and, with David Nugent playing on his own in front of a five-man midfield, they began to settle into a period of possession.

It prompted the Foxes' best spell of the first half and midfielder Anthony Knockaert should have rewarded them only to waste a hat-trick of chances inside a 10-minute period.

The Frenchman twice shot wide of the left-hand post before spurning the best of his opportunities with a scuffed effort after Konchesky pulled a cross back to the penalty spot.

Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic then needed a strong arm to keep out Danny Drinkwater, after Knockaert this time opted to pass, but the away side's attacking vigour soon subsided.

Instead they were left attempting to quell the increasing threat of Sone Aluko, back in the starting XI, as he began to busy himself in the hole behind the striker.

After Abdoulaye Faye headed a cross at the back post into the side netting, Aluko jinked his way into space only for Kasper Schmeichel to expertly tip away his low shot.

Aluko set up the best chance of the first 45 minutes moments later when he snuck a pass behind the defence for Simpson. The striker looked certain to score when he rounded Schmeichel but Richie De Laet was alive to the danger and got back to clear off the line.

It was De Laet's last major involvement as he was replaced at the break by Liam Moore who survived a nervous moment shortly after as appeals for handball were waved away.

Leicester almost stole ahead against the run of play on the hour when Faye sliced an attempted clearance just wide of his own goal.
Chances were at a premium in the second half, though, as the match deteriorated in driving rain.

Ben Marshall almost fooled Jakupovic on 72 minutes with a well-hit 20-yarder before the keeper made heavy work of keeping out Paul Gallagher's deflected free-kick.

Hull made a late push for the points but Schmeichel twice denied Simpson, latterly when the striker headed straight into his arms at close quarters.

Leicester 2 Bristol City 0: Foxes maintain top start to season thanks to Nugent strike and Foster own goal

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Leicester 2 Bristol City 0: Foxes maintain top start to season thanks to Nugent strike and Foster own goal

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UPDATED:

16:50 GMT, 6 October 2012

It was very much high fives all-round for Nigel Pearson's in-form Foxes as they maintained their winning form in the npower Championship.

David Nugent's fifth league strike of the season and Richard Foster's own goal secured Leicester's fifth straight victory – following excellent away wins at Middlesbrough and Huddersfield – and also brought their fifth win in a row at their King Power Stadium home.

The result took the midlanders top of the table prior to Cardiff's televised late afternoon clash at Ipswich, but the success did not come without a cost, with the Foxes losing three players through injury.

David Nugent

Party time: David Nugent (third from left) notched up his fifth goal of the season

Match facts

Leicester: Schmeichel, Konchesky (De Laet 46), St. Ledger (Whitbread 63), Morgan, Moore, King, Dyer, Drinkwater, Knockaert, Vardy (Marshall 51), Nugent

Subs Not Used: Logan, Waghorn, James, Futacs.

Goals: Nugent 19, Foster 74 og

Bristol City: Heaton, Foster, Fontaine, Nyatanga, Louis Carey (Mark Wilson 70), Skuse, Pearson, Morris (Anderson 82), Adomah, Taylor, Baldock (Davies 59).

Subs Not Used: Gerken, Stead, Woolford, James Wilson.

Booked: Louis Carey, Morris.

Att: 22,529

Ref: Trevor Kettle (Rutland).

Click here for the latest npower Championship results, fixtures and table

Paul Konchesky was forced to withdraw
at the break, Jamie Vardy hobbled off in the 51st minute, and then
after 63 minutes Republic of Ireland international defender Sean St
Ledger also picked up a knock.

The Robins, who had chalked up a
league double over Leicester last season, had almost snatched the lead
inside the first minute, Jody Morris meeting Sam Baldock's cross but his
six-yard header was saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

The Foxes responded well and after
eight minutes a left-foot shot by Lloyd Dyer was tipped over the
crossbar by City goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

The visitors, the second-highest
scorers in the Championship going into the contest, with 18 goals, had
certainly not come to sit back and defend in the early stages and
following a corner from Morris into the heart of the Leicester box, Liam
Fontaine sent a 10-yard shot wide of the right-hand upright.

Leicester's former England striker
Nugent headed over from six yards out in the 28th minute, but he made
amends just 60 seconds later. Vardy's long ball from the back caught the
Robins rearguard napping and Nugent raced through one-on-one with
Heaton and drove a low right-footer into the bottom corner.

David Nugent of Leicester

Off to a flyer: Nugent, who has discovered his old form this season, put Leicester in front after 19 minutes

Heaton kept City in the hunt with
smart saves from both Nugent and French ace Anthony Knockaert in the
space of a few seconds in the 36th minute.

The Robins had lost their record as
being the only Championship team not to have gone in trailing at
half-time – and boss Derek McInnes decided to replace Baldock with Steve
Davies in the 59th minute.

Fontaine fluffed a good chance to
bring City level in the 71st minute, the big defender heading an
inswinging corner from Morris over the top from six yards, and that miss
proved costly as the Foxes forged further ahead on 74 minutes, Andy
King's left-wing cross being headed into his own goal by the unfortunate
Richard Foster.

It brought up Leicester's 50th goal
against their west country opponents and was enough for them to chalk up
their fifth straight league win for the first time since February 2011.

As for the Robins, they have now failed to win six of their last seven league outings.

Harry Redknapp wanted by Leicester City

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Redknapp wanted by Leicester's millionaire Thai boss to deliver Premier League football

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UPDATED:

22:22 GMT, 29 September 2012

Harry Redknapp is to be offered the chance of an intriguing return to football with ambitious Championship club Leicester City.

Leicester's wealthy Thai owner Vichai
Raksriaksorn wants the former Tottenham boss to replace Nigel Pearson
after becoming frustrated at the way his 60million investment has
failed to deliver Premier League football.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp

C'mon Harry: Ambitious Leicester want Redknapp

Raksriaksorn has outspent his rivals since taking over in 2010 but the club have twice missed out on promotion, first under ex-England boss Sven Goran Eriksson and then Pearson.

Eriksson splashed out on big-earners Jermaine Beckford, David Nugent, Kasper Schmeichel, Darius Vassell and Paul Konchesky but was sacked after finishing 10th.

His successor, Pearson, was just one position higher last season and his side secured their first away points of the season with a 2-1 victory at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

On the up: Leicester won 2-1 at Middlesborough on Saturday

Tall order: Nigel Pearson is under pressure despite four wins in last five games

City's owners believe Redknapp has the profile, charisma and man-management skills to take the team up immediately and are prepared to back him with a Premier League-style salary and funds for new players.

The popular 65-year-old has been out of full-time work since June, when he sacked by Spurs. Earlier in the year, he was beaten by Roy Hodgson for the England job after being the red-hot favourite.

Redknapp, who contacted under-fire Ipswich boss Paul Jewell last week to rule out succeeding him despite being linked with the job, is now a TV pundit and consultant for League One Bournemouth.

But he wants a manager's job and may be tempted by Leicester, who have the financial clout to match their ambition.

Wolves 2 Leicester 1: Match report

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Wolves 2 Leicester 1: Ebanks-Blake and Stearman secure second win for Solbakken

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UPDATED:

14:29 GMT, 16 September 2012

Wolves survived a late onslaught to claim a second npower Championship victory of the season and leapfrog opponents Leicester in the table.

The Foxes' defending from set-pieces was their downfall in the first period as Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Richard Stearman both benefited from lackadaisical marking inside the first quarter of the match.

To their credit, the visitors probed diligently for a way back into the all-midlands affair and found one courtesy of Paul Konchesky's magnificent 70th minute long-range shot.

That'll do: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake celebrates scoring the first goal for Wolves

That'll do: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake celebrates scoring the first goal for Wolves

MATCH FACTS:

Wolverhampton: Ikeme, Stearman, Johnson, Berra, Ward, Peszko (Boukari 74), Doumbia (Edwards 66), Henry, Sako, Doyle, Ebanks-Blake (Sigurdarson 76).

Subs Not Used: De Vries, Davis, Foley, Margreitter.

Booked: Henry.

Goals: Ebanks-Blake 13, Stearman 21.

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Moore, Konchesky, Marshall, Drinkwater, King (James 30), Dyer (Knockaert 46), Nugent, Vardy (Waghorn 71).

Subs Not Used: Logan, St. Ledger, Beckford, Futacs.

Booked: Konchesky, Nugent.

Goals: Konchesky 70.

Attendance: 20,030

Referee: Stuart Attwell

They should have claimed a point when substitute Martin Waghorn struck the post from inside the area with 11 minutes remaining.

Victory was only Wolves' second in 18 league encounters following relegation from the Barclays Premier League last season, while Leicester have now lost all three outings on their travels this term.

Wolves midfielder Tongo Doumbia and Konchesky set the tone with robust challenges that surprisingly escaped punishment from referee Stuart Attwell.

Leicester's first opening of the match fell to Andy King and Wolves had a sprawled Stearman to thank for turning his close-range effort behind.

The hosts were ahead shortly afterwards when Ebanks-Blake drifted into space at the far post to nod home Bakary Sako's free-kick.

In the 20th minute Foxes defender Liam Moore ceded possession to Kevin Doyle and the Republic of Ireland international cut in to fire goalwards from 20 yards, drawing a splendid save from Kasper Schmeichel at full stretch.

Going ahead: Ebanks-Blake puts Wolves ahead

Going ahead: Ebanks-Blake puts Wolves ahead

From the resulting corner Leicester's
marking left much to be desired once more, with Ritchie de Laet the
main culprit as Stearman smashed home via a touch from Schmeichel and
the underside of the bar.

England Under-21 international Ben
Marshall almost hit back for City after the half hour, firing goalwards
to draw a save from Carl Ikeme that mirrored that of his counterpart
from Doyle.

Doubling the advantage: Richard Stearman scores the second for Wolves

Doubling the advantage: Richard Stearman scores the second for Wolves

Out of reach: Stearman celebrates his goal

Out of reach: Stearman celebrates his goal

Doyle was thwarted first by
Schmeichel and then by Foxes defender Wes Morgan after being played in
down the left channel by strike partner Ebanks-Blake, but David Nugent
might have pulled a goal back a minute before half time when he latched
on to Lloyd Dyer's through-ball and slashed wide.

Nugent was off target once more as
the hour approached, miscuing a header from De Laet's right-wing cross
before Nigel Pearson's men reduced the arrears in spectacular fashion.

Too little, too late: Paul Konchesky gets one back for Leicester

Too little, too late: Paul Konchesky gets one back for Leicester

Get in there: Ben Marshall congratulates Konchesky on his goal

Get in there: Ben Marshall congratulates Konchesky on his goal

There seemed to be little danger when
Konchesky received the ball 30 yards from goal and lashed an
unstoppable drive into the top corner.

The game developed an end-to-end feel
as Wolves subscribed to the idea that the best way to protect their
advantage was by extending it.

In the 77th minute Nugent nodded back
across goal and agonisingly wide as the enterprising De Laet found joy
down the Wolves left once more.

They came even closer moments later
when substitute Waghorn collected a pass from fellow sub Anthony
Knockaert to drill against the foot of the post.

Liverpool under Kenny Dalglish: Better or worse off than under Roy Hodgson?

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As Dalglish leads Liverpool on worst run in 59 years, are the club better or worse off than under Hodgson

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UPDATED:

15:45 GMT, 2 April 2012

Another weekend and another defeat for Liverpool means more pressure has piled on Kenny Dalglish.

The Scot's hopes of taking the Reds back to the Champions League this season have all but ended following a disastrous run of form that leaves the Reds in danger of finishing mid-table.

It's not too far from where predecessor Roy Hodgson left the club, but how do the two compare Sportsmail assesses both to see who has made the most of their time at Anfield.

Best man for the job Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish (left) and former Reds manager Roy Hodgson (right)

Best man for the job Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish (left) and former Reds manager Roy Hodgson (right)

TRANSFERS

When Roy Hodgson took over in July 2010 he was charged with trying to get Liverpool back into the top four, but he was already on the back foot due to the uncertainty surrounding the future of owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Funds were tight but for the 28million that Hodgson spent, the 64-year-old did make 32million through the sales of Javier Mascherano, Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun.

The loss of the Argentine came just days before the end of the transfer window and Hodgson reacted quickly to bring in Raul Meireles – his biggest success.

Other major signings including Christian Poulsen and Paul Konchesky barely lasted a year while free transfer Joe Cole failed to live up to expectations.

Sharp exit: Mascherano departed for Barcelona soon after Hodgson arrived

Sharp exit: Mascherano departed for Barcelona soon after Hodgson arrived

Given a transfer kitty under new owner
John Henry, Dalglish quickly lost faith in Hodgson's men when he
replaced the sacked boss in January 2011.

Over the course of three transfer
windows he has spent over 100million – most of that on a new strike
force of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Fernando Torres was sold for
50million during this period as well as the Scot also added a new
midfield including Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson.

Verdict: Neither manager shines brightly here but Dalglish just edges it. Hodgson spent relatively little and made a profit with his dealings, but will be remembered for signing sub-standard players that fans quickly turned against.

Dalglish can be credited with signing Suarez, who has proved by far his smartest buy. But Carroll, Downing and Adam have disappointed just as much (if not more) than any Hodgson purchase, while rough diamond Henderson has also struggled.

LEAGUE FORM

After eight games under Hodgson, Liverpool were on their knees. Comprehensive defeats at Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton (as well as a home loss to newly promoted Blackpool) left them in the bottom three.

Three wins followed but by then fans had grown frustrated with a series of inconsistent results and the former Fulham manager was sacked following a 3-1 loss at Blackburn in January last year.

Liverpool were 12th in the table and 10 points off a European spot.

Crushed: Liverpool suffered chastening defeats at the beginning of the 2010-11 season

Crushed: Liverpool suffered chastening defeats at the beginning of the 2010-11 season

Dalglish took over and led a credible second half of the season that saw the Reds finish seventh – only missing out on Europe following a penultimate day defeat against league rivals Tottenham.

But the 61-year-old has failed to build on that this term. Before January, it was home draws that were holding the Reds back from challenging at the top, but 2012 has seen Liverpool endure their worst run of results in 59 years.

Two league wins in 12 means only rock bottom Wolves have a worst record in this calendar year. The Reds, who targeted to finish in the top four, are 16 points off that in eighth place.

Verdict: Liverpool never got going under Hodgson, whose team suffered nosebleeds when they hit the dizzy heights of ninth in the table. They looked destined for mid-table mediocrity until Dalglish took over.

But this term's post-Christmas collapsed has alarmed many connected with the club. Liverpool are in danger of finishing ninth which would be the club's worst league position since they won promotion back to the top flight in 1962.

Hodgson may have had Liverpool heading for a similar finish, but he never had the Reds in relegation form over a 10-game spell.

Day to forget: Liverpool were comfortable beaten by Newcastle, Carroll endured a torrid time and Jose Enrique ended up in goal

Day to forget: Liverpool were comfortable beaten by Newcastle, Carroll endured a torrid time and Jose Enrique ended up in goal

Day to forget: Liverpool were comfortable beaten by Newcastle, Carroll endured a torrid time and Jose Enrique ended up in goal

CUP FORM

The glimmer of hope but also another catalyst in the early departure of Hodgson. An unbeaten run in the Europa League group stages (albeit with just two wins from six) saw Liverpool top their group. But he was sacked before he could lead them into the last 32.

More damning was the third round Carling Cup exit at home to League Two strugglers Northampton on penalties.

Dalglish though has shined in the cups. His return to the hot-seat was a 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Manchester United, but he hasn't lost since Braga knocked Liverpool out of the Europa League in the round of 16 last season.

The Scot triumphed in the Carling Cup
this term having defeated Manchester City and Chelsea. They didn't play
one home game (aside from the two-legged semi-final) before defeating
Cardiff at Wembley on penalties.

Home ties have favoured the Reds in
the FA Cup this season, with four successive Anfield wins handing them a
semi-final meeting with Everton back at Wembley.

Verdict:
With a trophy in the cabinet, and potentially another on the way,
Dalglish stands head and shoulders above Hodgson, who laboured at best
in the chase for silverware.

The wait is over! Liverpool lifted their first silverware in six years at Wembley in February

The wait is over! Liverpool lifted their first silverware in six years at Wembley in February

FANS BACKING

With Liverpool having sacked Champions League winner Rafael Benitez, supporters expected a more blockbuster successor than Hodgson.

No one denied he had done a marvellous job at previous club Fulham by first keeping them up, then guiding them to the Europa League final. But many felt he was untested and out of his depth in England managing a massive club like Liverpool.

His lukewarm reception was about as good as it got. A poor start to the season alienated more fans and the discontent in the stands rubbed off on to players who looked devoid of confidence.

Hardly any Reds supporters were complaining about a lack of time once Hodgson was sacked after just six months and 20 league games.

In contrast, as a club legend as player and manager, Dalglish was given a hero’s welcome after taking over for a second spell.

Hero returns: The was a stark contrast in the welcomes offered to Hodgson and Dalglish

Hero returns: The was a stark contrast in the welcomes offered to Hodgson and Dalglish

The players responded to the good vibes reverberating around Anfield and it enabled them to finish last season strongly.

But the recent awful run has tested just how far the supporters will back Dalglish. While the same anger isn't being diverted at Dalglish as much as it was at Hodgson, the end request is starting to feel the same. 'Thanks Kenny, but no thanks.'

Verdict: As a fan favourite, Dalglish had a huge advantage over Hodgson in that he didn't need to produce instant results to get the supporters and players on his side.

Both made poor starts after taking over last term but the aura surrounding Dalglish on his appointment carried him through, while Hodgson just sank deeper into the quick sand.

Now the lustre from King Kenny's return has been replaced by terrible form, it proves that even the most idolised of figures can only descend so low before questions are asked by even their most ardent of followers.

OWNER'S BACKING

Plenty of influences on and off the pitch undermined Hodgson but none arguably more so than the change of ownership.

Just three months into his reign, John Henry completed a fiery takeover of Liverpool from Hicks and Gillett, and Hodgson from then on looked a sitting duck.

The former Inter Milan boss wasn't heavily backed financially, but he at least had time under the previous owners. Once Henry arrived, his position became more uncertain and it was little surprise he was sacked three months later without being given a penny to spend.

His successor Dalglish was instead given the funds to try and take Liverpool to the business end of the top flight again but he has so far only delivered the Carling Cup. League form has disappointed and big money signings have failed to make an impact.

Backing his man: Henry has handed over huge funds to Dalglish

Backing his man: Henry has handed over huge funds to Dalglish

Verdict: Dalglish has had the better deal if he hasn’t made the most of it. With the full confidence of the owners and plenty of money to spend, the Scot has enjoyed freedom to build his squad – with the help of Director of Football, Damien Comolli.

Hodgson had the dying days of one board and the fresh beginnings of another looking to gain a rapport with fans and build their own foundations at the club. He never stood a chance.

FINAL VERDICT

With a huge amount of backing from fans, owners and a chequebook, Kenny Dalglish has enjoyed a number of advantages that Roy Hodgson didn't have during his time at Liverpool.

Yet despite the millions spent and a less turbulent Anfield under new owners, Liverpool are only narrowly doing better in the league than they were under the former Switzerland manager.

The Reds have added plenty of new faces in the last year but the end result on the pitch is much the same.

Dalglish may have a cup to his name
(with another possibly on the way) and secured European football back at
Anfield for next season, but with the tools given to him he has
arguably underachieved more than Hodgson.

The fact that Liverpool are now only in a slightly better league position to the one Hodgson left the club in represents that.

Plenty to ponder: Liverpool's season is in danger of ending with a whimper... and a mediocre mid-table finish

Plenty to ponder: Liverpool's season is in danger of ending with a whimper… and a mediocre mid-table finish

Paul Konchesky should have been sent off for Simon Ferry tackle – Graham Poll

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Konchesky should have seen red for dangerous tackle

Referee Darren Drysdale was well positioned to see Paul Konchesky's dangerous tackle on Swindon's Simon Ferry. It was an obvious red-card tackle: it was unsafe.

Drysdale saw the tackle clearly but failed to appreciate the nature of the challenge. It was dangerous and committed at pace.

Tough tackle: Konchesky was fortunate to stay on the pitch after this dangerous tackle on Ferry

Tough tackle: Konchesky was fortunate to stay on the pitch after this dangerous tackle on Ferry

Tough tackle: Konchesky was fortunate to stay on the pitch after this dangerous tackle on Ferry

It was not a 'traditional two-footer'; both feet were not directed into the opponent, but they were off the ground.

That means Konchesky cannot have been in control of his movement and endangered the safety of his opponent – the key phrase in law. Konchesky's intent was clear because he left the ground with both feet.

Southampton 0 Leicester 2: Saints suffer title blow

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Southampton 0 Leicester 2: Saints suffer title blow as Nugent and Mills out-Fox hosts

Southampton missed the chance to return to the top of the Championship table as Leicester City pulled off a shock win at St Mary's.

For most of this encounter it was difficult to tell which was the mid-table team and which side was pushing for promotion.

Where once it looked like the rest were scrapping for second place, it is now Southampton looking nervously over their shoulders.

On target: David Nugent (left) celebrates scoring his side's first goal with team-mate Paul Konchesky

On target: David Nugent (left) celebrates scoring his side's first goal with team-mate Paul Konchesky

Head boy: Matt Mills (second right) scores doubles Leicester's advantage at St Mary's

Head boy: Matt Mills (second right) scores doubles Leicester's advantage at St Mary's

Job well done: Foxes team-mates Mills (right) and Sean St. Ledger celebrate the second goal

Job well done: Foxes team-mates Mills (right) and Sean St. Ledger celebrate the second goal

MATCH FACTS

Southampton: Davis, Harding, Martin, Hooiveld (Richardson 65), Fox, Cork, Hammond (De Ridder 56), Schneiderlin, Falque (Holmes 56), Do Prado, Connolly.

Subs not used: Bialkowski, Reeves.

Leicester: Schmeichel, Peltier, Mills, St. Ledger, Konchesky, Gallagher (Drinkwater 42), Danns, Wellens, Dyer, Nugent (Howard 87), Beckford (Delfouneso 75).

Subs not used: Logan, Kennedy.

Goals: Nugent 15, Mills 26

Booked: Konchesky, Nugent

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)

Attendance: 21,014

After only two wins in their last eight league games Saints are now only a point above third placed Cardiff City.

Last time out at St Mary's, when Southampton missed the chance to finish 2011 unbeaten at home in the league by losing 1-0 to Bristol City, it was former Portsmouth goalkeeper David James who frustrated them.

Here it was another former Pompey player, David Nugent, who managed to rile the Southampton fans.

With 15 minutes on the clock, Nugent collected a long punt forward from Foxes' captain Matt Mills, took advantage of right-back Dan Harding being out of position and curled the ball quite beautifully inside the post from just outside the box.

The striker, 26, then celebrated in front of the home fans – just for effect, of course.

Tussle: Southampton's Jack Cork (left) keeps the ball away from St. Ledger (centre)

Tussle: Southampton's Jack Cork (left) keeps the ball away from St. Ledger (centre)

Catch me if you can: Foxes defender Konchesky is challenged by Cork

Catch me if you can: Foxes defender Konchesky is challenged by Cork

But it was not just Saints' fans who were rattled. For a side who had only conceded nine goals in 13 Championship games prior to this game, the players looked nervous too, and apprehensive at the back.

Nugent could have had a second after 23 minutes with a shot that rolled wide of the far post – and poor defending cost Saints the second goal three minutes later.

Hands off: Southampton's Guly do Prado (left) collides with Konchesky

Hands off: Southampton's Guly do Prado (left) collides with Konchesky

On the bench: Nathan Delfouneso was a Leicester substitute following his loan move from Astion Villa

On the bench: Nathan Delfouneso was a Leicester substitute following his loan move from Astion Villa

Nigel Adkins' side failed to clear a
Paul Gallagher corner and Sean St Ledger delivered a cross that Mills, a
former Saints player, headed powerfully past Kelvin Davis.

It seems Rickie Lambert, the
division's top scorer, who last night served the last match of his
three-game ban, cannot return soon enough. Southampton improved as the
half wore on.

Tottenham's 22-year-old midfielder Yago Falque, who made his debut on loan last night, was quiet on the left in place of the injured Adam Lallana while Morgan Schneiderlin was at the heart of Saints' best chances.

The France Under 21 international headed wide and then made an excellent run into the box, only to watch Jack Cork blast high and wide.

Southampton came very close to clawing a goal back eight minutes into the second half, when Kasper Schmeichel had to tip Dean Hammond's header onto the post from a Daniel Fox free-kick.

Adkins made a double substitution on 56 minutes, sending on Lee Holmes and Steve de Ridder in a desperate bid to inject some width into his side's stilted play.

But Leicester's dominance continued, and Foxes defender Paul Konchesky hit the post with a 25-yard free kick.

Leicester 1 Ipswich 1: Ipswich pay the penalty

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Leicester 1 Ipswich 1: Gallagher and Schmeichel make Town pay the penalty

Leicester came from behind to claim a share of the spoils against Ipswich in a keenly-contested npower Championship encounter.

There was just 24 seconds on the clock when Lee Martin was upended in the penalty area by Paul Konchesky, who was lucky to avoid an early bath as last man, but Michael Chopra saw Town”s first penalty of the season turned away by Kasper Schmeichel.

The visitors, however, had to wait just four minutes for some early festive joy thanks to Lee Bowyer”s second goal of the season, which started to look like clinching Ipswich”s first away win at Leicester since Boxing Day 2002.

Like father like son: Kasper Schmeichel saves Michael Chopra

Like father like son: Kasper Schmeichel saves Michael Chopra”s penalty

MATCH FACTS

Leicester: Schmeichel, Peltier, Konchesky, Mills, Bamba, Gallagher, Dyer (King 46), Wellens (Schlupp 87), Abe, Nugent, Beckford (Howard 84).
Subs Not Used: Weale, Danns.

Goals: Gallagher 69 pen.

Ipswich: Lee-Barrett, Cresswell, Delaney, Sonko, Edwards, Martin, Andrews (Bullard 43), Bowyer, Chopra (Emmanuel-Thomas 72), Scotland (Ellington 83),Murphy.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Wabara.

Booked: Sonko, Martin.

Goals: Bowyer 4.

Attendance: 27,091

Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

That was until Paul Gallagher”s second-half penalty after Jason Scotland”s handball, preserving manager Nigel Pearson”s unbeaten home record since taking charge although his side are now winless in four.

Town may have missed out on what would have been a third successive victory for the first time this season, but they will be much the happier with a point and have now taken seven from a possible nine after ending a seven-match losing streak.

The 27,091 present had to wait little time for some action as a flowing Ipswich move was brought to an abrupt halt as Martin was brought down in the area by Konchesky, who, as last man, escaped with nothing more than a warning from referee Darren Drysdale.

And Leicester were soon completely off the hook as Chopra”s penalty was parried around the post by Schmeichel.

But the hosts had not even got out of their own half when Bowyer lobbed a ball into the box which City failed to clear and the midfielder, who continued the path of his own pass, smashed home the loose ball from six yards.

Match official Drysdale was again at the centre of matters after just eight minutes as Ipswich centre-half Ibrahima Sonko, who like Konchesky was the last man when he fouled Jermaine Beckford, was shown a yellow card.

Equaliser: Paul Gallagher (left) celebrates with Jermaine Beckford

Equaliser: Paul Gallagher (left) celebrates with Jermaine Beckford

Gallagher fired the resulting free-kick narrowly wide before Town somehow wasted a great chance to make it 2-0 at the other end, Scotland and Daryl Murphy failing to convert.

The tempo slowed midway through the half, raised only by handbags between Damien Delaney and David Nugent.

Town lost on-loan skipper Keith Andrews to injury just before half-time, with question marks now hanging over the midfielder”s fitness before his scheduled January return to Blackburn.

Ipswich kicked off the second half on the front foot but it was Nugent who had the first real chance 10 minutes after the restart, his six-yard volley well saved by Arran Lee-Barrett.

Substitute Jimmy Bullard fired straight at Foxes stopper Schmeichel soon after before the game went into another scrappy lull.

But the King Power Stadium was awoken in the 69th minute when Scotland was penalised for handball in the penalty area and Gallagher fired under the body of Lee-Barrett.

Foxes centre-back Matt Mills missed a wonderful late chance by firing off target from close range in the 89th minute as both sides kick-started the festive period with a point.