Source: Daily_Mail
Leicester City 0 Newcastle 0: Foxes' 10 men hold Magpies in promotion tussle
[LNB]It demanded a special moment - a magical touch - to prise a victory from a game between two sides fighting for promotion. [LNB]But instead it was the physical attributes demanded for survival in the Championship as well as the race for promotion that assumed control. [LNB]Newcastle were incapable of overcoming a Leicester side reduced to 10 men for 61 minutes after Richie Wellens was dismissed.[LNB] Lift off: Newastle's Nile Ranger takes a shot at goal[LNB] It was never going to be a classic - more about blood and guts, though it was none the worse for that.[LNB] It created an atmosphere that warmed up a freezing evening in the Walkers Stadium, with a crowd of 29,067 in the ground. [LNB]The pressure was more on Leicester to offer proof that they are a team with genuine promotion potential. [LNB]They have slipped since their 5-1 hammering at Nottingham Forest in December while Newcastle have maintained their impetus at the top of the Championship. [LNB]The side from the North East were the more assured in the earlymoments, a team full of a confidence that comes from their position asleaders of the gang.[LNB] Deadlock: Newcastle's Wayne Routledge and Leicester's Bruno Berner (lef)t battle for the ball[LNB] But it was Leicester who produced the first real scoring opportunity, in the 22nd minute, when striker Matty Fryatt forced Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper into action with a shot which the keeper managed to tip over. [LNB]Harper was back in action four minutes later, running well out of his area to intercept a long ball chased by Fryatt. Wellens had been cautioned by referee Andre Marriner for a reckless foul and when he committed a second in the 29th minute the inevitable red card appeared. [LNB]There were howls of protest from the Leicester supporters at what they perceived to be an injustice but there was no going back and Wellens walked without a hint of emotion back down the tunnel.[LNB] There was an urgency about Leicester which was beginning to wear Newcastle down, making them look uncomfortable and hesitant. [LNB] Marching orders: Leicester's Richie Wellens fouls Newcastle's Wayne Routledge, leading to his red card[LNB]Fryatt produced an exceptional run in the 34th minute when he wiggled his way past a couple of defenders but he had his goalbound shot blocked.[LNB] Referee Marriner did not help his cause among the Walkers faithful when he refused to caution Steven Taylor for a crude challenge on Martyn Waghorn then booked Leicester's Bruno Berner for an innocuous one. [LNB]Kevin Nolan must have felt he was going to score shortly after the interval when he rose to meet Patrick Van Aanholt but, to Leicester's relief, his header flew over the bar from a yard or two out. [LNB]A minute later Waghorn set off on a run deep into the Newcastle box, only to force his attempt at a shot wide.[LNB] Newcastle defender Mike Williamson, signed last week from Portsmouth, was cautioned in the 62nd minute for the roughest of tackles on Andy King as Alan Smith, the first of Wellens' victims, was replaced by Nile Ranger.[LNB] Nolberto Solano's debut as a Leicester substitute, against his former club Newcastle, came too late, six minutes from normal time, to make any impact. Newcastle seal double deal for QPR's Hall and Chelsea's Van AanholtWill Newcastle follow Leeds to become the latest damned United?Newcastle poised to seal loan deal for Honduras defender Osman Chavez [LNB]
