1996 Play Off Final

The 1996 Play Off Final saw Leicester back into the Premiership with a last minute strike from Steve Claridge. However, many Leicester fans claim it was Zeljko Kalac who was the decisive factor in the Leicester win.

On a sunny afternoon Leicester stepped out against Crystal Palace at Wembley for the Division 1 Play Off Final. Leicester had only just managed to sneak into the top 6 with a 1-0 win against Watford, with a then un-known by the name of Muzzy Izzet grabbing the winner.

With Leicester only just sneaking into the play off frame, Crystal Palace were the favourites in the final and Andy Roberts gave them the lead with a low drive from the edge of the box. The first half also saw two great saves from Kevin Poole which kept Leicester in touch going into the second half.

Half way through the second half and the Leicester equaliser came from a defence splitting pass from Steve Walsh, the ball reached Muzzy Izzet who ran into the box before being fouled by Edworthy. Finally it was Leicester who were receiving a penalty in a Play Off Final, rather then the opposition. Garry Parker stepped up and scored the penalty, even though Nigel Martyn did manage to get a hand to the ball.

With the game tied at 1-1, Steve Walsh thought the he was going to be the goal hero once again but his header from a Parker corner was cleared off the line, after looping over Martyn.

The game went into extra time and with both teams having relatively few chances it looked as if the game was going to be decided by penalties. Martin O`Neil had stated before the game that if the game was going to go to penalties he would substitute his regular goalkeeper Kevin Poole for the man mountain Zeljko Kalac, who it was felt would fill up more of the goal.

Although Kalac didn`t have a meaningful touch of the ball he played a vital role in Leicester winning. O`Neil was true to his word and went to substitute Kevin Poole in the dying seconds on extra time. Poole