Leicester City 0 - 0 Cardiff City

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Monday Nov 26 2007 08:00

Ian Holloway was disappointed not to register three points in his first game in charge at the Walkers Stadium as Cardiff City held firm to leave Leicester with just three home wins since the turn of the year.

Despite lively starts from both sides, it was not until midway through the first half that a keeper was called into action when Kasper Schmeichel reacted superbly to deny Richard Stearman at point-blank range after Alan Sheehan's free-kick had been helped on by Iain Hume and Matty Fryatt.

Sheehan was also the provider of the home side's next chance when his curling cross to the far post was nodded over by Stephen Clemence.

In an even contest, Cardiff enjoyed plenty of possession but their closest threat on goal before the break came from the boot of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who thundered a 25-yard free-kick just over the bar.

Leicester's Joe Mattock then tried his luck from a similar distance with a rising shot which also failed to find its target.Paul Parry made way for Peter Whittingham for the start of the second half, and the switch almost paid instant dividends for Cardiff, with the substitute striking the bar from 25 yards inside a minute of the restart.

On the hour mark, slack defending by the home side let in Gavin Rae, with the Cardiff midfielder disappointed to scoop a chance over the bar.

Steve Thompson then saw his 20-yard drive saved by Martin Fulop as the visitors continued to look the more dangerous.

But it was the Foxes who almost broke the deadlock on 68 minutes when Hume's 20-yard shot struck the post and then rebounded off Schmeichel's back for a corner which the Bluebirds were grateful to clear.

And then Leicester struck the woodwork again when Fryatt's header from a Sheehan corner hit the base of the post, with Cardiff again able to clear.

The game ended with Leicester the stronger of the sides but, despite laying siege to the visitors goal, the Cardiff defence held firm for a deserved draw.

  • 90
    The ref has blown his whistle for full time.
  • 80
    Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is being taken off, Steven MacLean has come on in his place.
  • 64
    James Wesolowski is being taken off, Andy King has come on in his place.
  • 62
    Alan Sheehan is booked for unsporting behaviour.
  • 56
    Shaun Newton is being taken off, Ashley Chambers has come on in his place.
  • 46
    The second half is under way with the score currently at 0 v 0.
  • 46
    Paul Parry is being taken off, Peter Whittingham has come on in his place.
  • 46
    Joe Mattock is replaced by Jonathan Hayes.
  • 45
    Half time whistle is blown by N Miller
  • 23
    Joe Mattock is booked for unsporting behaviour.
  • 19
    Stephen Clemence goes into the referees book for unsporting behaviour.
  • 0
    It's 8pm on Monday, November 26th, the match has kicked off.

Statistics

Leicester City
Shots on target 5
Shots off target 6
Shots off bar/post 2
Fouls 15
Offsides 1
Corners 8

Cardiff City
Shots on target 4
Shots off target 3
Shots off bar/post 1
Fouls 9
Offsides 3
Corners 4

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