Beaten black and blue

Outclassed, in every single aspect, by every, I mean every single department. Leicester were by no means rampant, but they got what they deserved and made Watford look pathetic to be frank. Hard to believe really that this was Martin Allen`s first win as Leicester City boss. His side were effective, immaculate, disciplined, organised and also, crucially, luck in some aspects.

Watford set their stall out from the first minute as Jobi McAnuff sliced a foot wide from Marlon King`s delightfully placed cross. This was not an isolated case as Steve Kabba and Marlon King both managed too get telling crosses into the area in a bright opening 10 minutes.

However, one swift, incisive breakaway later and Leicester were in the lead through Ian Hume. Picking the ball up on the right hand corner of the penalty area, the diminutive Canadian international smashed the ball past Mart Poom and into the far corner of the net. A goal that few 'keepers would have saved, but still a kick in the teeth. The goal was the catalyst for a Leicester revival. Buoyed by their shock goal, Allen`s team went forward well and Watford fell apart.

Much like a week prior, the midfield was unbelievably deep and Marlon King was sent wide to put balls in for what would have been himself. Shortly after the fifteenth minute opener, DJ Campbell was put virtually clean through-only bully tactics from Shittu and DeMerit denied the former Brentford man. It wasn`t the only time he showed Watford a clean pair of heels however.

Mart Poom was called into action not long before the half hour mark when he palmed away a goalbound free kick from Alan Sheehan.

Half time: 1-0

Watford once again began the half as the better side and should have equalised when Jobi McAnuff slipped through Steve Kabba, however, the words of wisdom that Boothroyd had invested in his players had little effect as six minutes into the second half, and DJ Campbell got his goal. Stephen Clemence free kick was deflected goalwards by the Watford wall and Campbell-who could`ve been a Horn, guided it home. Mart Poom spent the next five minutes remonstrating with the linesman over what he felt to be a blatant offside.

A mere three minutes later it was game over as Alan Sheehan profited from another deflected free kick to finish from close range. Watford`s response was Dan Shittu`s header from a corner which the big Nigerian saw headed off the line by Foxes skipper Clemence. Watford followed this up with a chance for Marlon King who saw his flash over after a raking Jordan Stewart pass.

The rout was completed when Mark De Vries, back from injury and two loans spells in Holland poked home number four to send the home fans into raptures and the away support into mourning. However, those who left with FOURTEEN minutes to go missed Marlon`s second penalty of the season. Ha! Little consolation however.

However, when all is said and done and this pitiful performance is put in context, this is game three, not game forty-three, it is our first defeat of the season and six points out of nine leaves us fourth…crisis? What crisis?

Leicester City: Fulop; Kisnorbo, McAuley, N`Gotty, Clarke; Hume, Sheehan, Clemence (c), Wesolowski; De Vries and Campbell.

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Was there one? Quite honestly nobody had a good game for Watford. However, from a Leicester perspective, Stephen Clemence was at the heart of all that was good for the Foxes.
Indecisive, otherwise only really made one save. Distribution worse than ever due to lack of wide support. Defensively, ok. At 6's and 7's with Jay DeMerit. Failed to cope with DJ Campbell. Tryed manfully to cope with Shittu's incapabilities. Passing: Abysmal. Defending: Shocking. Roundly booed by Leicester fans to make matters worse. Work rate was at an all-time low, especially after last weeks fine display. Far too narrow. Woeful. If he had of been a dog the kindest thing would have been to put him down. Lucky not be sent off. A stark contrast to last weeks match-winning display. If there was a 'Man of the match' for Watford, it was Jobi. Tried hard, but didn't get any service Kabba or Crab-ba? Pathetic. Martin Allen-8:
Got it spot-on. His side attacked well with incisive, pleasent passing football and rammed home four goals to boot. Aidy Boothroyd-2:
Amazingly bad substitutions, eg. finally introducing Hoskins with 8 minutes to go. Or bringing on Al Bangura. Failed to rally the troops miserably.

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