Holloway beats hoodoo

New City boss Ian Holloway became the 1st Leicester manager for over 50 years to celebrate victory in his first game in charge following a 2-0 away win against high flying Bristol City

Holloway, appointed last Thursday, saw goals in both halves from Richard Stearman and Matty Fryatt secure City’s fourth Championship victory this season.

Having had little time with the squad there was doubts on the impact that Holloway would have on tactics played out by his team. However, right from the outset, City lined up with a changed formation, 4-4-2 replacing the 3-5-2 brought in by Megson and kept throughout the stewardship of Burrows and Taggart.

Bruno N’Gotty was the centre back sacrificed, with Stearman and Sheehan playing at fullback. Wesolowski and Clemence were supported by Sheehan and Hume in midfield and Fryatt and Collins John led the City line.

Both sides started brightly and were quick to create chances, Lee Trundle going close with a curling effort after just 5 minutes. Bristol’s Jamie McCombe forced a good save from Fulop before Collins John linked up with Fryatt to force a save from Adriano Basso after 15 minutes.

On 23 minutes City went ahead. Another set piece from Alan Sheehan from the right found Stearman at the far post and, after his initial header was blocked, Stearman made sure – blasting the ball past Basso for his first league goal of the season.

Darren Kenton was brought into the action after the half hour following an apparent injury to Collins John. Kenton who had been frozen out of the team early in the season making some solid tackles and a good contribution in midfield.

Bristol City started the second half brightly and Leicester had to weather an early storm as the home team looked to get back into the match.

Elliot, Byfield and McIndoe with attempts on the City goal without troubling keeper Fulop. Former Swansea striker Lee Trundle forced a save from Fulop just after the hour mark in what would be his last contribution before being substituted by Showumni.

Leicester started to get back into the game at this point, Matty Fryatt causing trouble in the Bristol area. Iain Hume might feel he could have done better after firing over the bar following up a parried shot by Alan Sheehan.

Stearman and the Fryatt both proceeded to test Basso in the Bristol goal but the keeper stood firm until 77 minutes when Fryatt was put through by an excellent Hume pass and was left to finish from 6 yards to give City a 2 goal cushion.

Hume was then withdrawn from the match with ten minutes remaining for N’Gotty as Leicester looked to secure the points and restrict any chance of an unlikely recovery from the home team.

The team looked destined to fizzle out until late into injury time when Matty Fryatt was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Fontaine. City have the possibility of an appeal, but if unsuccessful a 2-3 suspension for violent conduct would be the only disappointment on an otherwise good day for Leicester.
Holloway delighted with player response.
‘My players were absolutely terrific and they deserved the victory.

‘They just need some stability – they need a new dad who is going to calm them down and set some rules out.

‘They tried to carry out the instructions that I gave them and I am so pleased for them.’

Johnson disappointed with flat performance


We let things slip after Leicester’s first goal and I thought it was a poor day for our club as a whole.

‘Sometimes the supporters have to lift the players and I thought the place went very quiet for much of the game.

‘The players didn’t do enough to lift the fans but we are in this together and we mustn’t forget that.’