Watford 2 - 1 Leicester Match Report and Rateings.
Impressive Watford beat second placed Leciester at Vicarage Road on Saturday in front of a near 13,000 crowd. Almen Abdi and Fernando Forestieri scored for the Hornets and David Nugent got one back three minutes after Watfords second. Zak Whitbread was sent off late on for Leicester my referee Andy D'urso but Watford were full value for the points stretching Leicester throughout the game. Watford's back three of Lloyd Doyley, Fitz Hall and Tommie Hoban also put in impressive perofmances and were equal to most of Leicesters attacks. Gianfranco Zola made three Changes to the side that lost to Blackburn. Out was Jean-Alain Fanchone, Connor Smith and Mark Yeates and Daniel Pudil, Nathaniel Chalobah and Almen Abdi took their places. It took 11 minutes for Watford to have their first shot but it was nearly the opening goal. Troy Deeney had a shot from outside the area which just fizzed over the bar after some great play by himself. But three minutes later and Watford were ahead. Good football by Troy Deeney and Fernando Forestieri who played a delightful ball into the surging Abdi who was through one on one with Leicester goalie Kasper Schmeichel. He made no mistake from the edge of the penalty area when he cooly slotted past Schmeichel into the bottom left hand corner sending Vicarage Road into delight. Schemichel had to save again from Troy Deeney and Fernando Forestieri again in a half where the Leicester Keeper was by far the busier keeper. Ben Marshall had Leicesters first effort by Captain and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia comfortably saved after good work by Danny Drinkwater. Then Jonathan Hogg cleared Wes Morgans powerful header off the line after a good corner from Anthony Knochart. But Watford should have made Leicester pay and should have been 2-0 up. Daniel Pudil crossed the ball in and he found Tommie Hoban who shot straight at Schemeichel but should have really done better in that situation. Watford had a late chance in the closing stages of the first half when Jonathan Hogg shot well wide.
Half Time 1 - 0
Nigel Pearson made one substitution at half time for Leicester as Danny Drinkwater came off and Lloyd Dyer came on. Watford nearly had a second on 58 minutes when Troy Deeney's header was magnificently saved by Schemiechel in the Leicester goal in an attempt which looked destined to make the home net ripple. Leicester's David Nugent appealed for a penalty when Tommie Hoban battled for the ball with him before Almunia forced him away from goal leading to the striker going to ground. D'urso was having none of it tothe dismay of the Leicester Fans immeadiatly waving away the appeals. But on 68 minutes Watford finally had their second. After a good save from Troy Deeneys shot Kasper Schemichel got back to his save and made an incredible save from Daniel Pudils swerving shot which looked destined to go into the net. But somehow Schmeichel clawed the ball out. But only as far as Forestieri who scored for the first time at Vicarage Road. He duely celebrated with the fans by running along the front of the Rookery and shaking the fans at the fronts hands. The goal sent the fans wild as well as the jumping men on the screen. Leicester replied three mnutes later when a cross in by the rous stand feel straight to Nugent who chested the ball down and smacked it home giving Manuel Almunia no chance. Hogg nearly scored a few minutes later when his swerving shot was only parried by Schmeichel. Vydra replaced Forestieri on 80 minutes and Connor Smith came on for the impressive Abdi on 85 minutes. But before Smith came on, Zak Whitbread was sent off for Leicester for a second bookable affence recklessly tripping Vydra up as he went past him. Their was seven minutes of Extra time to play due to substitutions and a long period when Wes Morgan and Liam Moore were recieving treatment on pitch for a clash of heads.
Full Time 2 - 1
Attendance - 12,954 (2054 Leicester Fans)
Watford - Almunia (C) 7, Doyley 8, Hall 8 (Anya 90+3), Hoban 8, Cassetti 7, Abdi 8 (Smith 85), Hogg 6 , Chalobah 7, Pudil 7, Forestieri 9 (Vydra 80), Deeney 7.
Subs (Unused) - Bond (GK), Yeates, Battochio, Geijo.
Leciester - Schmeichal, Moore, Whitbread, Morgan, Konchesky, Drinkwater (Dyer H/T), King, James, Marshall (Waghorn 63) Knockhart (Futacs 63), Nugent
Subs (Not Used) - Logan (GK), Danns, Gallagher, Schlupp.
Man of the Match - Fernando Forestieri - Another brilliant performance from the italian with his pace, determination and skill wowing the home crowd.
Possesion - Watford 55% Leicester 45%
Referee - Andy D'urso