BY JACK GRAY
Leicester City’s push for the title took a major boost as a late Leonardo Ulloa winner helped them overcome Norwich City 1-0 in a closely fought match in the February cold at the King Power stadium.
The 88th minute winner came after a tight first half ended goalless with the best opportunities falling to Leicester’s Marc Albrighton, shooting over from 20 yards, and Norwich’s Cameron Jerome who headed just wide from a corner.
A dull but closely fought second half followed with neither side able to fashion out many decent chances, until Ulloa stabbed in Albrighton’s low cross unmarked at the back post.
The game started physically with both teams trying to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges until Nathan Redmond put Cameron Jerome through on goal in the 9th minute, but a poor touch allowed the Leicester goalkeeper to rush out and smother the chance.
This kick started the Leicester team into life with Huth heading over, Ryan Bennett being fortunate not to turn the ball into his own net after a low cross from Mark Albrighton, and Albrighton spurning a good chance himself from 20 years after a poor clearance from Timm Klose.
Halfway through the first half Norwich started to find themselves getting more into the game, their best chance of the half coming in the 38th minute with Cameron Jerome heading just wide from a corner.
Nathan Redmond then forced a save from Kasper Schmeichel from a tight angle before a penalty appeal for handball against Wes Morgan fell on deaf ears, as Norwich finished the first half strongly.
The second half began as the first had, neither side able to carve out any clear chances until the 58th minute, with Jamie Vardy forcing a save from John Ruddy, shooting low and hard after a Danny Drinkwater lay off from a free kick.
A previously muted Leicester crowd found their voice as Leicester pushed for a goal, Albrighton finding acres of space on the edge of the Norwich area, but his low effort was easily saved by Ruddy.
A remarkably dull 20 minutes followed, a Vardy half chance from a cross from the recently introduced Jeffrey Schlupp was the most notable moment until Nathan Redmond powered a shot from oustide the area just wide of Schmeichel’s left hand post in the 83rd minute.
Finally a winner was found as Ulloa steamed in at the back post to prod in Albrighton’s cross and cement Leicester’s lead at the top of the Premier League.
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Leicester manager: Claudio Ranieri
Norwich manager: Alex Neil
Saturday 27 March 15:00
Attendance: 32,114
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