davieG Posted 7 August 2005 Posted 7 August 2005 Lively Ifill makes life awful for Leicester Sheffield United 4 Leicester City 1 By Dan Murphy Published: 07 August 2005 By the time the play-offs come around next spring a grand total of 1,656 games in the three Coca-Cola Leagues will have been contested. This was the very first of them and, based on the evidence at Bramall Lane yesterday, do not be surprised if Sheffield United and Leicester City are two of the four Championship sides still chasing a place in the top flight when the season proper has ended. Although this may appear to have been a comfortable victory for the South Yorkshire side, Leicester only had themselves to blame for failing to return to the Walkers Stadium with all three points, let alone a draw. Two of their debutants, Rab Douglas and Nils-Eric Johansson, conceded penalties, neither of which were conclusive, while they contrived to squander chance after glorious chance. Mark de Vries was the principal culprit, but David Connolly, otherwise outstanding, Jason Wilcox and Momo Sylla were hardly free from blame either. Andy Gray, heavily linked with a move to Sunderland late last week, converted the first penalty before Connolly equalised early in the second half. Steve Kabba, part of a triple substitution from Neil Warnock, the United manager, dispatched the second spot-kick before Paul Ifill, on his debut, and Leigh Bromby gave the scoreline an entirely lopsided appearance late on. "I'm a bit shell-shocked, to be honest," said Craig Levein, the Leicester manager. "I can't for the life of me understand how we lost that match. I thought we played well, and it might sound strange but I'm not too concerned. The game was decided by the referee awarding the second penalty." United's opening goal, after 34 minutes, was certainly harsh on Leicester, who had started much the better. Douglas, the former Celtic goalkeeper, hesitated when favourite to beat Ifill to the ball. That allowed the winger to get the all-important first touch before the two tangled untidily and the penalty was awarded. Leicester continued to press without reward for the remainder of the half, but five minutes after the break they did draw level. Joey Gudjonsson fed the sprightly Connolly, who turned inside Bromby before taking a shot which took a deflection off Jon Harley and squirmed into the bottom corner. If there was an element of fortune involved, Leicester had earned it, and with De Vries becoming more involved, Connolly was able to take advantage of the space behind his strike partner. Both men missed good opportunities, though De Vries was the more culpable. As chances continued to come and go, Sylla's volley screwed over the crossbar and the hapless De Vries slipped at the crucial moment with a clear sight of goal. How they were punished. Warnock's growing frustration resulted in a triple substitution, and it proved an inspired move. That said, none of the three replacements were directly involved in the day's second penalty, harshly awarded for handball and scored by Kabba. Another of the substitutes, Keith Gillespie, playing against his former club, delivered a trademark cross that Ifill met at the near post with a flashing header. Douglas then made a horrible job of dealing with Ifill's cross and Bromby bundled the ball in. "It's nice to get a win on the first day," said Warnock. "We lost our shape at the start of the second half, and that was their best chance, but after the substitutions we deserved it."
davieG Posted 7 August 2005 Author Posted 7 August 2005 Twice 151574[/snapback] As it's happened twice now it must have something to do with the way it's structured. Well I'm not taking the blame
C-man Posted 7 August 2005 Posted 7 August 2005 Lively Ifill makes life awful for LeicesterSheffield United 4 Leicester City 1 By Dan Murphy Published: 07 August 2005 ... Another of the substitutes, Keith Gillespie, playing against his former club, delivered a trademark cross that Ifill met at the near post with a flashing header. Douglas then made a horrible job of dealing with Ifill's cross and Bromby bundled the ball in. ... 151573[/snapback] I would agree with the report too. However, Gillespie's 'trademark cross' baffles me. Cant remember him doing that many times if any at all at Leicester.
Deathside Posted 7 August 2005 Posted 7 August 2005 Seems to me the general consensus on here is that Gillespie was turd during his time at Leicester This puzzles me - Admitantly he put in some very poor performances and had a complete air of not bothered-ness in his early days - But after CL started to play him he really picked up - I think CL was getting the best out of him and he was one of our best players towards the end of the season - His crossing was getting better all the time - Unfortunetly this was wasted on our strikeforce
Jonbluefox9 Posted 7 August 2005 Posted 7 August 2005 This is a passage from 'The Mail on Sunday'. However, the visitors were left stunned when Ifill's chip was blocked by Douglas and hit Johansson on the way out, leaving referee Mason to point to the spot. Leicester boss Craig levein said: 'I think the referee made an error and it changed the game because until then we'd looked like the home side. The ball spun up and hit Johansson on the shoulder.'Predictably, Warnock had another view, claiming: 'It was a certain penalty. Even Trevor Francis said that on the TV and he's an ex-Wednesday-ite.' So because he has a connection with Sheffield Wednesday and he thought it was a penalty for Sheffield United then it must have been! He also used to play for our local rivals Nottingham Forest so I could equally say he's an ex-tree so he would say it was a penalty. I know that's utter bollocks but that's what Warnock's said in other words. If I'd been Levein after the game I wouldn't have felt like shaking his hand. He's an absolute willy puller. Also, the article has a section called 'Magic Moment' and the journalist says 'Referee Lee Mason's decision to award United a second penalty'.
cisono Posted 7 August 2005 Posted 7 August 2005 This is a passage from 'The Mail on Sunday'.... Also, the article has a section called 'Magic Moment' and the journalist says 'Referee Lee Mason's decision to award United a second penalty'. 151700[/snapback] As I mentioned elsewhere, even the Sheffield fans sitting behind me were stunned at getting that penalty and commented (quite loudly) that they did not think that was a penalty at all... It was not a magic moment, but it certainly was an influential one.
Thracian Posted 7 August 2005 Posted 7 August 2005 As I mentioned elsewhere, even the Sheffield fans sitting behind me were stunned at getting that penalty and commented (quite loudly) that they did not think that was a penalty at all...It was not a magic moment, but it certainly was an influential one. 151758[/snapback] a) If we'd taken our chances or if we created a few more genuine openings from all our possession then penalties wouldn't matter. b) If we weren't allowing Sheffield free passage into the penalty box for the last 10 minutes the referee couldn't have given his doubtful penalties. If Levein sets out to score four goals a game then none of this shit will matter. As it was Warnock opted for attack and Levein messed his side about without apparent purpose. The result was a 4-1 defeat. "Those are the facts and they are not in dispute."
Chrysalis Posted 8 August 2005 Posted 8 August 2005 the mail on sunday have misquoted. trevor francis said he didnt understand how the referee could give the penalty because he was in a bad position behind the player.
Guest Posted 8 August 2005 Posted 8 August 2005 Whether it was a penalty or not, the team should not have been allowed to crumble. This isn't the first time we appear to have been knocked back by a poor refereeing decision. The players might be new, but the spirit is not.
marko Posted 8 August 2005 Posted 8 August 2005 If Levein sets out to score four goals a game then none of this shit will matter. 151772[/snapback] We aren't Arsenal.
Thracian Posted 8 August 2005 Posted 8 August 2005 We aren't Arsenal. 152201[/snapback] No and we don't play Arsenal's opposition.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.