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Ipswich 2 Burnley 1: match report

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Ipswich 2 Burnley 1: Mick's dancing to DJ's tune as Campbell strikes late

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PUBLISHED:

17:45 GMT, 10 November 2012

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UPDATED:

17:45 GMT, 10 November 2012

DJ Campbell lifted Ipswich off the foot of the npower Championship table as his late goal secured a narrow win over Burnley.

Daryl Murphy had given the Tractor Boys the lead only for Sam Vokes to equalise before Campbell secured all three points with just three minutes remaining.

The result gives Mick McCarthy two wins from three since taking the manager's job at Portman Road while Sean Dyche suffered his first defeat as Burnley boss.

Off the bottom: DJ Campbell's strike earned Ipswich three vital points

Off the bottom: DJ Campbell's strike earned Ipswich three vital points

Match facts

Ipswich: Henderson, Chambers, Higginbotham, Smith, Cresswell, Edwards, N'Daw, Wellens (Emmanuel-Thomas 79), Reo-Coker, Murphy, Campbell (Mohsni 89).

Subs Not Used: Loach, Hewitt, Chopra, Scotland, Drury.

Booked: Reo-Coker.

Goals: Murphy 51, Campbell 87.
Burnley: Grant, Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Lafferty, Wallace (Stanislas 65), Stock (Bartley 65), Marney (Vokes 76), McCann, Paterson, Austin.

Subs Not Used: Jensen, Ings, Edgar, Mee.

Booked: Wallace,Paterson.

Goals: Vokes 80.

Att: 16,297

Ref: Mark Brown (East Yorkshire).

Click here for latest Championship results, fixtures and table

The home side made two changes with
Tommy Smith and Guirane N'Daw brought into the side to replace Andy
Drury and the suspended Lee Martin.

Danny Lafferty made his first start
of the season for Burnley in place of Ben Mee who sustained a swollen
foot in the match against Leeds.

It was a quiet start but Campbell was
the first man to threaten for Ipswich as his turn and shot in the box
was saved by Lee Grant with N'Daw putting the rebound over the bar.

Martin Paterson tested Stephen
Henderson with a shot from a narrow angle but the goalkeeper made a
smart save with his feet at the near post.

Carlos Edwards and Richie Wellens
then combined well with Wellens' final ball finding Campbell in the
penalty area but Lee Grant made a smart save to tip his shot around the
post.

Grant had his heart in his mouth as
he spilled Aaron Cresswell's cross but the ball was cleared off the line
before referee Mark Brown eventually awarded a free kick for a foul on
the goalkeeper by Murphy.

But just six minutes into the second
half Town took the lead as Grant was not given the benefit of the doubt
in a challenge with the Irish striker.

Wellens put a cross into the box and Murphy and Grant went up together with the former Sunderland man heading home.

Grant felt he was fouled and Burnley
players surrounded the referee but Brown was unmoved and Murphy was
awarded his first strike at Portman Road this season.

The home fans were calling for a red card as Ross Wallace brought down Cresswell but the referee produced a yellow.

Dyche brought on Junior Stanislas and
Marvin Bartley as he attempted to get his side back into the game but
barring a Stanislas shot over the bar, it was Ipswich who remained in control.

Dyche made his final substitution
bringing on Vokes and the striker had an almost instantaneous impact as
he levelled with 10 minutes to go.

Stanislas put a cross into the box and Vokes was credited with the final touch as he rose with Danny Higginbotham to meet the ball.

But in the 86th minute substitute
Jay-Emmanuel Thomas found Edwards who produced a wonderful cross for
Campbell to slot home and secure the win for Town.

Crystal Palace 5 Ipswich 0 – match report

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Crystal Palace 5 Ipswich 0: Murray treble gives new boss Holloway dream start

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UPDATED:

00:47 GMT, 7 November 2012

What a start to Ian Holloway's reign at Crystal Palace. Five goals without reply against Ipswich and a five-star performance took the London club to the top of the Championship for the first time in five years.

It extended their unbeaten run to 12 games, following three defeats in their first three matches.

On the spot: Murray scored a hat-trick against Ipswich to fire Palace top

On the spot: Murray scored a hat-trick against Ipswich to fire Palace top

Match facts

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ward, Delaney, Ramage, Parr, Jedinak, Garvan (Moritz 69), Dikgacoi, Zaha (Moxey 87), Murray (Easter 69), Bolasie.

Subs Not Used: Price, Blake, O'Keefe, Appiah.

Booked: Dikgacoi, Zaha.

Goals: Bolasie 24, Murray 50 pen, 55 pen,63, Moritz 90.

Ipswich: Henderson, Edwards, Higginbotham, Chambers, Cresswell, Martin, Reo-Coker, Drury (Emmanuel-Thomas 70), Wellens (N'Daw 82), Campbell, Murphy (Smith 70).

Subs Not Used: Loach, Chopra, Scotland, Mohsni.

Booked: Reo-Coker.

Attendance: 15,517

Referee: Darren Sheldrake (Surrey).

Latest Championship results, fixtures and table

'As debuts go it doesn't get much better than that,' said Holloway.

'Everybody here is motivated to get
Palace back to where they deserve, to where the fans want and hopefully
it'll be a fantastic journey.'

Holloway did not have to wait long to
see the first goal of his reign. Joel Ward won the ball at right back
in the 24th minute, played a hopeful ball forward that was flicked on by
Owen Garvan and winger Yannick Bolasie ran in behind the Ipswich
defence to delicately loft the bouncing ball, first time, over the
stranded Stephen Henderson from 12 yards.

It got even better in the second
half. The rapid Wilfried Zaha won a penalty on 49 minutes, beating two
men on the left and taking the ball into the area, where he was floored
by Luke Chambers. Glenn Murray calmly netted.

Five minutes later Aaron Creswell
pushed Murray inside the area – and he coolly scored his second penalty.
Only six minutes after that Chambers conceded yet another penalty – but
this time Murray missed.

Perfect start: Holloway's Palace fired five past Ipswich

Perfect start: Holloway's Palace fired five past Ipswich

He did not have to wait long for his
hat-trick, however, netting Ward's low cross from close range on 63
minutes, and substitute Andre Moritz added a fifth in stoppage time.

Holloway credited former Palace boss Dougie Freedman for his work at the club.

He said: 'It's so professional here
it's fantastic. Whatever Dougie and Lennie Lawrence have done, it's
already in place. I sometimes think, pinch me I'm dreaming.'

Mick McCarthy, in his second match in
charge at Ipswich, faced a harsh reality following his win against
Birmingham at the weekend.

He described the match as a sobering
experience and said: 'They murdered us. But people are a little
misguided if they thought we were going to come here against high-flying
Palace and win after the match at the weekend.

'I can't remember a side conceding
three penalties, let alone in 11 minutes. As usual, the players were
telling me it wasn't a penalty. I'll have to look at replays. We've got a
fair bit of work to do.'

St Helens 30 London Broncos 0: Wellens double inspires Saints

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St Helens 30 London Broncos 0: Wellens double inspires Saints

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UPDATED:

21:39 GMT, 31 August 2012

Saints skipper Paul Wellens struck at the double to move his side nearer a top four play-off spot.

Mark Flanagan also crossed twice for Saints who led only 6-0 until just before the break.

The Broncos were in confident mood
after three wins in a row – the last a 62-18 hammering of cup winners
Warrington a fortnight ago.

Going over: Paul Wellens scores the fourth try for St Helens

Going over: Paul Wellens scores the fourth try for St Helens

London were missing Chris Bailey, Chris Melling and Michael Witt, with Dan Sarginson still out after a month's absence with an ankle problem.

Saints welcomed back Jon Wilkin and Josh Jones to compensate for the loss of Michael Shenton and Chris Flannery.

Saints, who won 34-24 at the Stoop on the opening day of the season, took only three minutes to go ahead when Tony Puletua burst on to a James Roby pass to score near the posts and Jonny Lomax converted.

Saints took advantage of a high tackle by Tony Clubb on Roby in the build-up to Puletua's opener.

Clubb made amends by intercepting a Lomax pass to deny Saints a second try and Broncos hit back to apply pressure.

Referee Richard Silverwood awarded 10 penalties in a stop-start opening 17 minutes. Saints introduced Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook off the bench midway through the first half and he immediately made his presence felt against his old club with some tough tackling.

A storming burst by Sol Soliola tested the Broncos defence, which was equal to the task until another penalty allowed Lomax to carve out a try for Mark Flanagan after 35 minutes.

Lomax missed the straightforward conversion to leave Saints ahead 10-0 with Paul Wellens having a try disallowed just before the break for a forward pass.

Saints made a storming start to the second half with Luke Dorn, making his 200th appearance in the British game, forced to race back to pull off a try-saving tackle on Francis Meli.

But a blunder by Omari Caro, who failed to collect a Lomax kick, led to Flanagan's second try after 45 minutes to make it 14-0.

Then Wellens added Saints' fourth touchdown to score for his fifth successive match but Lomax missed his third conversion from four attempts.

Clubb was held up over the line for the Broncos before Wellens took Puletua's pass to grab his second try and make it 24-0 on the hour.

Dorn almost notched a Broncos try in front of the 13,262 crowd but was recalled for a forward pass from Chad Randall.

London held out until Anthony Laffranchi crashed over for the final try in the last minute

Widnes 23 St Helens 24: Josh Jones secures late win

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Widnes 23 St Helens 24: Last-gasp Jones try secures win for Saints

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UPDATED:

16:40 GMT, 8 July 2012

St Helens snatched a stunning last-gasp victory over Widnes to climb back to third place in the Stobart Super League table as they stretched their unbeaten run to five matches.

But it needed a 79th-minute try from Josh Jones and a touchline conversion from Lee Gaskell with the last kick of a thrilling encounter to earn Saints both points.

Super League strugglers Widnes, who had a hat-trick of tries from Patrick Ah Van, had looked set for a famous victory when they led 23-18 until Jones struck.

Diving for the line: Micheal Shenton scores a second half try against the Widnes Vikings for St Helens

Diving for the line: Micheal Shenton scores a second half try against the Widnes Vikings for St Helens

Widnes kept the side which thrashed Castleford 40-10 to climb above London at the foot of the table.

Saints were missing Jonny Lomax with a rib injury with Lance Hohaia returning at scrum half to partner Gaskell with Andrew Dixon in for Mark Flanagan.

Saints had run in a century of points in their two meetings against Widnes this season with a 40-38 cup win at the Stobart Stadium in April followed a week later by a 62-0 league hammering at Langtree Park.

Widnes were forced on the defensive from the start and it needed a crucial tackle by skipper Jon Clarke to stop Paul Wellens crossing for his 16th try of the season.

Saints missed another chance with a forward pass from Anthony Laffranchi after a darting burst from dummy half by James Roby.

But the Vikings were not overawed and Stefan Marsh went close from a kick and then Frank Winterstein was held short.

Saints thought they had gone ahead after Hohaia danced through but referee Robert Hicks ruled the Kiwi failed to ground the ball correctly – much to Saints fury.

But it was Hohaia's teasing kick which was fumbled by Rhys Hanbury which gifted sub Sol Soliola a try after 33 minutes and Gaskell tagged on the conversion.

Hanbury made amends two minutes later when his high kick bounced awkwardly for Tom Makinson and Ah Van pounced to race over in the corner.

Hanbury levelled the scores with a touchline conversion the teams went into half-time tied at 6-6.

Saints regained the lead almost straight from the restart when Widnes conceded a penalty on the sixth tackle and Jon Wilkin forced his way over from Roby's pass to help make it 12-6.

Widnes hit back with Hanbury's perfectly-timed pass sending Chris Dean racing over against his old club.

Hanbury and the Widnes fans thought the conversion had gone over but the touch judges ruled the kick had failed.

Widnes did not let the controversy upset their rhythm, though, with Dean putting Ah Van over for his second try four minutes later and, this time, Hanbury's conversion attempt was definitely wide to leave the Vikings ahead 14-12.

Saints regained the advantage when Michael Shenton shrugged off Ah Van to cross after 58 minutes with Gaskell's touchline conversion making it 18-14 to the visitors.

However, Ah Van completed his treble after intercepting Dixon's pass and racing 80 metres to cross after 63 minutes to draw Widnes level again.

Ah Van was forced off the field with a shoulder injury after scoring his long-range try and in a thrilling finale Wilkin was denied by outstanding defence after a missed drop goal attempt by Hohaia.

Hanbury then slotted over a one-pointer eight minutes from time.

The drama continued with Clarke and Dean combining for Cameron Phelps to squeeze over in the corner but crucially Stefan Marsh missed the goal.

Then Wellens put Jones over in the corner with Gaskell booting the conversion to give Saints a last-gasp win.

St Helens 10 Wigan 28

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St Helens 10 Wigan 28: Saints run ended as Warriors romp to derby win

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UPDATED:

16:04 GMT, 6 April 2012

Injury-hit Wigan claimed the spoils from a passionate and bruising Stobart Super League derby to inflict a first defeat on St Helens caretaker coaches Mike Rush and Keiron Cunningham.

Saints were on a high after back-to-back triumphs over Leeds and Warrington but they never recovered from the shock of losing scrum-half Jonny Lomax with a badly broken thumb after just 16 minutes.

St Helens, who played the last 10 minutes with 12 men following the sin-binning of Michael Shenton, also lost England forward Jon Wilkin with a shoulder injury just before the end to cap a miserable afternoon.

Winning feeling: George Carmont celebrates his try for Wigan

Winning feeling: George Carmont celebrates his try for Wigan

Storming displays from Wigan duo Gareth Hock and Jeff Lima helped make up for the absence of five first-choice forwards through injury and suspension and it was fitting that they scored the late tries that secured victory.

The Warriors gave a debut to prop Gil Dudson while hooker Logan Tomkins went on just before the end for his second appearance in Super League and the first alongside older brother Sam.

Early handling errors by Tom Makinson, deputising for suspended Saints full-back Paul Wellens, and Wigan pivot Brett Finch demonstrated big match nerves in front of the 18,000 sell-out crowd at Langtree Park.

There was also an uncharacteristic blunder from Wigan full-back Sam Tomkins which gifted Saints the game's first try, although he went on to more than make amends.

He lost the ball in Josh Jones' tackle and Lance Hohaia reacted quickly to get Francis Meli over at the corner despite Josh Charnley's last-ditch tackle.

Breaking through: St Helens' Sia Soliola goes over the line for a try against Wigan as Harrison Hanson, Thomas Leuluai and Jack Hughes fail to stop him

Breaking through: St Helens' Sia Soliola goes over the line for a try against Wigan as Harrison Hanson, Thomas Leuluai and Jack Hughes fail to stop him

Undeterred, Wigan roared back and dominated the rest of the first half to open up a 12-4 lead.

Centre Darrell Goulding took Thomas Leuluai's pass to cross for an equalising score after Saints passing broke down 30 metres from their own line and, after Pat Richards was denied a try for a foot in touch, George Carmont demonstrated his strength to reach out of a three-man tackle to touch down.

The visitors would have been further ahead but for some tremendous defence on his own line by Saints second rower Sia Soliola, who managed to prevent substitute three-quarter Jack Hughes grounding the ball.

St Helens, with big impact from the bench, were a rejuvenated side in the second half and it took some exceptional defence to keep them out.

Standing tall: Wigan's Gareth Hock is tackled by St Helens pair Jon Wilkin and James Roby

Standing tall: Wigan's Gareth Hock is tackled by St Helens pair Jon Wilkin and James Roby

A run of penalties, which brought a warning for acting captain Brett Finch, eventually proved Wigan's undoing, with Soliola making the pressure tell by crashing over for his side's second try.

Makinson added the goal to make it 12-10 and they almost regained the lead but Roby lost the ball going for the line and the miss proved costly.

It was against the run of play when Hock produced a superb offload to Sam Tomkins and his jinking run brought him an eighth try of the season.

Wigan claimed a penalty try when centre Shenton pulled back Goulding as he chased his own kick but video referee James Child was not convinced a try would have been scored.

However, Shenton was sin-binned for the foul and Wigan made the extra man count with Finch sending Hock through a gap for the clinching try.
Lima then crashed over for Wigan's fifth try and Charnley kicked his fourth goal.

Derby 0 Leicester 1: Neil Danns nets the winner

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Derby 0 Leicester 1: Danns the main man as Foxes continue to climb

Neil Danns rediscovered his scoring touch to settle a keenly contested East Midlands derby and lift Leicester above his old club Crystal Palace at Pride Park.

The 29-year-old midfielder had scored only twice in 22 previous Championship appearances but threatened to make up for lost time as he peppered the Derby goal in the first half.

A lightning break down the left by Lloyd Dyer set up a 16th-minute chance that was finished with aplomb, as Danns stole in at the far post to meet the winger’s cross with a first-time volley.

Goal hero: Leicester's goalscorer Neil Danns celebrates at the final whistle

Goal hero: Leicester's goalscorer Neil Danns celebrates at the final whistle

Hard fought win: Leicester City's Jermaine Beckford holds off challenge from Derby County's Shaun Barker

Hard fought win: Leicester City's Jermaine Beckford holds off challenge from Derby County's Shaun Barker

MATCH FACTS

Derby: Fielding, Green, Barker, Shackell, Roberts, Ward, Bryson (Robinson 81), Hendrick, Carroll, Ball (Steve Davies 76), Tyson.

Subs Not Used: Legzdins, Buxton, Naylor.

Booked: Ward.

Leicester: Schmeichel, Peltier (Bamba 72), Morgan, St. Ledger, Konchesky, Marshall (Drinkwater 79), Danns, Wellens, Dyer, Beckford (Delfouneso 72), Nugent.

Subs Not Used: Howard, Kennedy.

Booked: Danns, Morgan.

Goals: Danns 16.

Attendance: 28,205

Referee: Simon Hooper

The warning signs were there, but
Derby failed to heed them, as Danns continued to exploit acres of space
and went close with two more long-range efforts. Frank Fielding tipped
the first on to a post and was at full stretch again to keep out the
second.

Derby raised the tempo in the second
half but could have few complaints about the outcome and might easily
have ended further adrift, after a strong Leicester finish.

David Nugent dragged a close-range
chance narrowly wide, and Dyer somehow rattled the bar from six yards
after Fielding had blocked his initial shot.

Leicester are still eight points
below the play-offs but manager Nigel Pearson said: ‘People look at the
table and assume only certain teams will be involved in the shake-up,
but I would never write us off. I was pleased with our performance, and
all we can do is focus on producing more of the same.’

Leicester 2 Cardiff 1: Gallagher at the double to hit Bluebirds" promotion hopes

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Leicester 2 Cardiff 1: Gallagher at the double to hit Bluebirds' promotion hopes

Paul Gallagher scored a goal in each half as Cardiff saw their promotion challenge falter at the King Power Stadium.

Malky Mackay's Carling Cup finalists suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time this season as they followed up last week's 3-1 loss at home to Blackpool with a largely abject display.

Only the inspired form of Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall kept Leicester at bay until Gallagher – who replaced the suspended Neil Danns in the Foxes' only change – opened the scoring with a penalty four minutes before half-time.

Done deal: Paul Gallagher scores Leicester's second goal from the spot

Done deal: Paul Gallagher scores Leicester's second goal from the spot

MATCH FACTS

Leicester: Schmeichel, Peltier, Mills, St. Ledger, Konchesky, Gallagher (Howard 90), Drinkwater, Wellens, Dyer (Marshall 71), Beckford, Nugent.

Subs Not Used: Logan, Delfouneso, Morgan.

Goals: Gallagher 41 pen, 71.

Cardiff: Marshall, McNaughton, Turner, Gerrard, Taylor, Whittingham, Cowie, Gunnarsson (Kiss 7), Conway, Vuckic (Gestede 46), Miller, Kiss (Mason 65).

Subs Not Used: Parish, Blake.

Booked: Kiss, Cowie.

Goals: Whittingham 77 pen.

Att: 21,375

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

Kenny Miller thought he had levelled moments after, only to be denied by the offside flag.

In a quieter second half, Gallagher found the decisive goal with a superb free-kick before Peter Whittingham reduced the arrears from the spot.

Leicester move to within six points of the play-offs, while Cardiff remain fourth but slip five points behind second-placed Southampton.

The hosts started impressively as Jermaine Beckford came within inches of finding the decisive touch on Daniel Drinkwater's cross, before Gallagher sliced wide from Lee Peltier's knockdown.

Cardiff then suffered a setback in the seventh minute as Aron Gunnarsson hobbled off with a suspected groin injury to make way for Filip Kiss, and Mackay's men continued to struggle in finding an answer to Leicester's early momentum.

Beckford engineered space on the right-wing for Gallagher to cross and Richie Wellens aimed an overhead kick, which took a deflection to force a fine save from David Marshall in the Cardiff goal.

Gallagher's delivery was becoming an increasing problem for the visitors and centre backs Sean St Ledger and Matt Mills both went close following set pieces from the former Blackburn man.

Marshall was called into action with half an hour gone to save from Beckford on the angle following some clever interplay with strike partner David Nugent, and moments later the ex-Leeds forward shot wide when Anthony Gerrard misjudged a searching ball from Gallagher.

Wellens produced an excellent half-volley from 30 yards for Marshall to push over at full stretch but, when the midfielder was felled by Kiss, Leicester had the lead they deserved in the 41st minute.

The infringement came from another Gallagher corner and the winger proved himself to be just as effective from the penalty spot, finding the bottom corner.

Cardiff appeared to have found an immediate response, but Miller's delicate lob over Kasper Schmeichel from debutant Haris Vuckic's flick on was ruled out for offside.

It was to be Vuckic's last contribution as he made way for Rudy Gestede at the interval, but the Bluebirds had Marshall to thank once more in the 51st minute as he plunged to his right to tip around the post when Lloyd Dyer teed up Nugent.

Beckford continued to probe industriously and found Marshall in his way following a jinking run after the hour.

However, there was nothing the former Norwich keeper could do in the 71st minute when Gallagher capitalised on a foul by Don Cowie on Dyer to plant a sumptuous 25-yard free-kick into the top corner.

Cardiff were offered a lifeline when Schmeichel fumbled Whittingham's corner and Peltier fouled Gestede in the ensuing panic.
Whittingham stroked home from the spot.

Leicester 2 Middlesbrough 2: Foxes manager Nigel Pearson sent off

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Leicester 2 Middlesbrough 2: Pearson fumes after being sent off following ref row

Nigel Pearson has vowed to fight any disciplinary action after he was ordered to the stand by referee Gavin Ward following a half-time altercation in the dressing room.

The Leicester manager accused Ward of barging into his team talk without permission and claimed that the referee then left it to fourth official Mathew Buonassisi to tell him that he had been sent off when he turned up in the technical area for the start of the second half.

Great start: David Nugent (right) headed home in the seventh minute for Liecester

Great start: David Nugent (right) headed home in the seventh minute for Liecester

MATCH FACTS

LEICESTER: Schmeichel, Peltier, Mills, St Ledger, Konchesky, Dyer (Drinkwater 62), Gallagher (Delfouneso 62), Wellens (Howard 84), Danns, Beckford, Nugent. Unused subs: Logan, Morgan.

Booked: St Ledger, Nugent, Danns.

Goals: Nugent 7, Beckford 86

MIDDLESBROUGH: Steele, Hoyte, Williams, Bates, McMahon, Hines, Robson (Thomson 69), Haroun, Jutkiewicz, McDonald (Halliday 74), Emnes (Martin 69). Unused subs: Ripley, Bennett.

Goals: McDonald 17, McMahon 79.

Referee: Gavin Ward

Click for all the latest Championship tables, fixtures and stats

Pearson raged: ‘I am actually discussing with my players and I am rudely interrupted by someone in my own space, without being invited … I wasn’t aware of who it was. I was not aware that I had been sent to the stands and then the fourth official’s sheepishly come over.

‘If you are going to treat someone like a child then don’t expect me to come out here and play the game of being politically correct. I can’t wait to see the fall-out. We talk about the respect campaign. It’s all hot air.’

The pressure is on Pearson on the pitch too but at least striker David Nugent appears to be relishing it.

Pearson was busy in the transfer market last month, yet started with the old guard last night – challenging them to prove their worth.

Nugent's response was to head Richie Wellens' clever little chip beyond Jason Steele in the seventh minute.

Middlesbrough were behind for just 10 minutes before a Tom McMahon corner was touched on by Seb Hines and Scott McDonald grabbed the equaliser.

Boro took the lead in the 79th minute after they were awarded a contentious free kick for a challenge on Rhys Williams by Sean St Ledger.

But when the dust settled, McMahon kept his nerve to beat Kaspar Schmeichel from 20 yards.

McMahon's good work was undone six minutes later when his backpass sold goalkeeper Jason Steele short and Leicester striker Jermaine Beckford intercepted it to tap the ball into the empty net.

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 4 Nottingham Forest 0: Jermaine Beckford scores hat-trick

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Leicester 4 Nottingham Forest 0: Jermaine Beck to his best as Foxes run riot

Jermaine Beckford completed a scintillating hat-trick to send Leicester through to the fourth round of the FA Cup in a comprehensive humbling of their east midlands rivals Nottingham Forest.

George Boateng set the tone for a dire night for the Reds, clipping into his own net following a goalmouth scramble, before Leicester took control of their own destiny through the mercurial Beckford.

The summer signing from Everton headed his first goal in 11 outings for the Foxes before sending a heatwave through the bitterly-cold King Power Stadium with two close-range finishes after the break.
Three and easy: Beckford was on top form

Three and easy: Beckford was on top form

MATCH FACTS

Leicester: Schmeichel, Peltier, Konchesky, Mills, Gallagher, Dyer (Kennedy 80), St. Ledger, Wellens, Beckford (Howard 79), Danns, Nugent. Subs: Howard, Weale, Abe, Tunchev, Taft.

Goals: Boateng (OG) 7, Beckford 30, 50, 57.

Nottm Forest: Camp, Cunningham, Boateng (McGugan 46), Anderson, Reid, Greening (McGoldrick 46), Gunter, Harewood (Blackstock 81), Moussi, Findley, Lynch. Subs: Derbyshire, McCleary, Smith, Majewski.

Booked: Reid.

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)

Attendance: 16,210.

Forest were not without their fair
share of chances in the opening half, and Robbie Findley's poor miss
with the goal gaping summed up a dreadful evening for Steve Cotterill's
side.

The victory represents a
morale-boosting second home win in six attempts for Nigel Pearson's
side, but heaps further pressure on relegation-threatened Forest, who
sit 22nd in the npower Championship.

Leicester dominated from the first whistle.

Neil Danns saw his tricky half-volley
punched clear by Lee Camp, and Beckford turned his man to allow Richie
Wellens to stab wide within minutes.

The early cut and thrust had the Forest defence in pieces after only seven minutes.

Beckford's innocuous corner was
weakly repelled to Danns on the left, the former Crystal Palace man
pumping a dangerous ball across to Paul Gallagher, who might have tried
to claim the goal as a confused Boateng stubbed through his own net.

Opener: George Boateng inadvertently turns the ball into his own net

Opener: George Boateng inadvertently turns the ball into his own net

Two minutes later David Nugent swivelled to drive the ball across the goal-line but into gloves of Camp.

Kasper Schmeichel nearly handed
Forest a way back into the match as he flapped wildly at a tame cross
from the left. The prone Dane looked on in horror as the ball spilled to
Findley, who inexplicably lifted the ball over from two yards with an
open goal to aim at.

Taking the plaudits: Leicester enjoy the opening goal

Taking the plaudits: Leicester enjoy the opening goal

But Leicester continued to carve open
the lost Reds defence, Gallagher afforded time and space to fizz a firm
shot just over Camp's bar.

Cotterill's charges spurned a second
gilt-edged chance with 28 minutes played. Findley found a gap behind
Paul Konchesky to supply the onrushing Paul Anderson, who hacked wildly
at the ball under pressure from Sean St Ledger.

On the half-hour mark, the Foxes made it two.

High hopes: Beckford celebrates his second strike

High hopes: Beckford celebrates his second strike

Lee Peltier, set free by a visionary
pass from Wellens, arrived in a good position to shoot from the edge of
the box. Camp stretched high but could only propel the ball as far as
Beckford, who sprang up to head home off the underside of the bar.

A rare period of pressure preceded a
welcome half-time interval for the visitors, culminating in Findley's
free header being nudged into the grateful palms of Schmeichel.

Happy days: Nigel Pearson was delighted with his side's performance

Happy days: Nigel Pearson was delighted with his side's performance

But the second half belonged solely to Beckford.

With 50 minutes on the clock, the
ex-Leeds striker eluded his marker to latch onto an unclaimed long ball
and send a deft flick over the flailing Camp.

The hat-trick was complete less than
seven minutes later. Beckford was denied in a one-on-one with Camp but
snatched the loose ball to convert before the Reds defenders could
react.

High hopes: Nugent congratulates Beckford

High hopes: Nugent congratulates Beckford

Forest were beaten, humbled within an hour by their great rivals, and still the blue shirts poured forward.

Leicester then began to pass in triangles, and Danns tested Camp with a low shot.

Gallagher's late effort failed to hit
the target late on, but Leicester were by then already assured of a
fourth-round tie against Swindon.