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Championship
Mar 29, 2014 at 12.15pm UK
 
Leicester logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Nugent (35'), Wood (78')

Live Commentary: Burnley 0-2 Leicester City - as it happened

Read how Leicester inflicted a first home defeat of the season on Burnley to move six points clear at the Championship's summit.
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The Championship's top two sides did battle in Saturday's lunchtime kickoff as Burnley welcomed Leicester City to Turf Moor.

Hosts Burnley had the chance to dispose Leicester from top spot for the first time since Boxing Day but suffered their first home defeat in over a year as Leicester went six points clear at the summit.

The Foxes are now within touching distance of promotion to the Premier League and you can read how they won in sunny Lancashire below.


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Morning folks! What a game we have to begin another jam-packed Saturday schedule. Just half an hour separates us from a match between the Championship's two best teams this season. Team news coming right up...

BURNLEY XI: Heaton; Baird, Shackell, Duff, Mee; Stanislas, Arfield, Jones, Kightly; Barnes, Vokes

BURNLEY SUBS: Cisak, Long, Edgar, Wallace, Treacy, Lafferty, Stock

LEICESTER XI: Schmeichel; De Laet, Morgan, Wasilewski, Schlupp; Knockaert, Drinkwater, James, Mahrez; Vardy, Nugent

LEICESTER SUBS: Logan, Hammond, King, Dyer, Moore, Taylor-Fletcher, Wood

Right. Both managers name fairly familiar lineups but their are some notable absentees, especially for hosts Burnley. Sean Dyche is without Kieran Trippier and Danny Ings, who have been arguably his two best players this season. Ings has been absent for a few games now, while Trippier's absence means a second start for recent addition Chris Baird at right-back. The Clarets are also missing Dean Marney, who serves the first of a two-game suspension for reaching 10 yellow cards on Tuesday.

Visitors Leicester, meanwhile, go with an unchanged XI from Tuesday's home draw against struggling Yeovil Town. It's odd to see both Liam Moore and Lloyd Dyer kept on the bench again as both have been regulars throughout the season. Marcin Wasilewski and Riyad Mahrez are preferred at centre-back and on the wing.

Speaking of that game against Yeovil, it finished in incredible fashion when Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel thought he had headed the equaliser in the final seconds. His header bounced down off the underside of the crossbar before Chris Wood bundled the ball home. Wood was officially awarded the goal but you can make up your own mind by watching the video here.

Nice infographic from Leicester's official Twitter:


The Clarets and the Foxes are without a doubt the best two teams in the league and you can see how they lead the way in our form guide. Neither has lost in 2014 yet!

LAST TIME OUT! When these two last met in mid-December, it finished 1-1 at the King Power Stadium, with the two clubs' top scorers Nugent and Ings on the scoresheet.

David Nugent of Leicester celebrates scoring from the penalty spot during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leicester City and Burnley at The King Power Stadium on December 14, 2013© Getty Images

Although a good result for Burnley that day, the Clarets have now failed to beat Leicester in their last six attempts. If Leicester can nab the points today, they will inflict a first home defeat on Burnley for over a year.

PREDICTION: Hopefully both sides are really going to go for it and I fancy a high-scoring draw. 2-2.


With Leicester unchanged and settled, it's a big day for those in the Burnley team who aren't so used to starting. Junior Stanislas comes in on the right wing, with Scott Arfield moving into an unfamiliar central position. How will Baird fare against the skilful, rapid duo of Knockaert and Mahrez? Here we go!

KICKOFF! Today's referee is Chris Foy and he gets us underway, with Leicester, all in blue, kicking off.

Good start to the game from the visitors, with Mahrez already seeing plenty of the ball.

Kightly with a jump and scissor tackle that Foy penalises him for. The winger is unlucky as he did get the ball even though it was a bit rash. James hooks over the free kick but it comes to nothing.

This could be disastrous for Burnley! They've already lost their top scorer to injury and now his partner in crime Vokes is writhing just off the pitch after jarring his knee in a no-contact challenge. Worrying signs.

It looks like Vokes's afternoon is over. Huge blow for the Clarets.

BURNLEY SUB: Vokes looks completely dejected on the sideline as David Edgar comes on to replace him. That will mean a change in shape with Barnes now leading the line on his own, with Stanislas, Arfield and Kightly behind. Edgar and Jones should be the two of a 4-2-3-1 formation.

What this does show is just how thin Burnley's squad is. They had three of their players in the Championship's top 10, that was revealed earlier this week, but now none of them are on the pitch. Even if Vokes is out for a long time, the Clarets should still be able to achieve promotion as they are 10 points clear of the chasing pack.

Little action of note to speak of in the last few minutes, with Burnley seeing more of the ball after that bright Leicester start. Neither goalkeeper is yet to be really tested.

Leicester have a free kick a long way out that Knockaert curls over into a dangerous area where Duff has to head out for a corner. The little French winger trots over to take that set piece too but nothing comes of it.

Stanislas is inches away from picking out Kightly with a crossfield through-ball as Morgan slides in to just cut it out.

The ball sits up beautifully for Drinkwater to volley at goal and the former Manchester United man connects well but is denied by a brave Shackell block.

There's also an early kickoff in the Premier League and I recommend that you open this link in a new tab if you want to follow Manchester United vs. Aston Villa as well.

Mahrez has space to run into down the left and then whips over an inviting cross into the 'corridor of uncertainty'. Both Nugent and Vardy are a little on their heels though and can only watch as the ball bounces harmlessly across the six-yard box.

Probably the best chance of the match, even though it's just a half-chance for Leicester. De Laet sends over a cross from the right that looks perfect for Vardy. It's a tiny bit behind him though and he can't arc back to direct his header goalwards.

Leicester should have a penalty. Shackell loses out to Vardy in the middle and the Leicester man drives towards the penalty area. He should be tackled but manages to keep the ball and has his arm blatantly held by Shackell. Blatant penalty but Foy might not have seen it.

From the resulting corner, a blue shirt gets a flick-on at the front post but there's no-one coming in at the back to stab home.

LEICESTER SUB: And now a blow for Leicester as they lose Vardy to injury, with New Zealand international Chris Wood on in his place.

GOAL! BURNLEY 0-1 LEICESTER (NUGENT)

Out of nowhere, the Foxes lead and what a lovely goal it is too. Wood does well to hold the ball up among a number of claret shirts before prodding it into the path of Nugent. The visitors' top scorer beats two defenders far too easily with a simple drop of the shoulder before curling it around Duff and into the far corner with his left foot. Top finish for his 18th league goal of the season.

When Dyche watches the replay for that goal, he is going to lay into Edgar for his feeble defending. The substitute turned away from the ball, allowing Nugent to easily sidestep him.

Burnley have responded well to going behind, but are struggling to really break through Leicester's stubborn backline. They're seeing plenty of the ball in the Foxes' half but can't do much in the final third.

I take that back! Baird digs out a fantastic cross from the right that De Laet has to head away from Stanislas coming in at the back post.

Burnley appeal for a penalty twice within a few seconds as the ball hits two Leicester players' hands. However, both were pushed and they get the free kick.

Kightly collects Barnes's flick-on well and then tries an outrageous 30-yard volley on his weaker left foot that, unsurprisingly, swerves well wide of the target.

CHANCE! Arfield picks up Schmeichel's lousy clearance and could have an early shot but instead looks for Kightly on the right. The winger crosses low into the middle but Schmeichel is there to clear the danger with his feet. That'll be half time.

HALF-TIME: BURNLEY 0-1 LEICESTER

Nugent's well-taken goal separates the sides at the break and, as things stand, Leicester are going six points clear at the top of the table.

Nice pic of the Leicester players rushing to celebrate with Nugent after the 35th-minute strike:


Glancing at the stats, Leicester look good value for their lead as they have had 59% possession and double the shots of Burnley with six to three. Nugent's goal is the one and only shot on target all half.

Leicester have been the best team on the road this season. No other team in the Championship is into double figures in the away-wins count and if they see this out, it will be 12 away victories this term for Nigel Pearson's men.

The two sides are back out for the second half, with no changes at the break from either manager. Remember, both have already made a change though, with Vokes and Vardy off and Edgar and Wood on.

Excellent defending from Schlupp to outmuscle Kightly, who would have been clear down the right had the Leicester left-back got things wrong.

OFF THE BAR! Ping! What a strike from Knockaert. The ball bobbles up deliciously for a volley and the Frenchman swerves a 25-yard effort past Heaton and against the crossbar. Fantastic effort and so unlucky.

CHANCE! Burnley go down the other end and have their best chance of the match by a mile as Morgan loses his footing to allow Arfield a shot at goal. The Burnley man just has Schmeichel to beat from the right of the area but sidefoots it straight at the Dane.

Half-chance for Burnley as Edgar goes long with a ball over the top for Barnes. The former Brighton man takes it on the volley but is on the stretch and can only shoot well over the top.

Wood has his first opening since coming on in the first half, chesting the ball onto his left foot before firing a half-volley harmlessly over Heaton's crossbar.

UPDATE: The half-time whistle has just been blown at Old Trafford where Man Utd have come from a goal down to lead Aston Villa 2-1. Ashley Westwood put Villa in front before Wayne Rooney's brace. Second half live here.

BURNLEY SUB: Dyche makes a change on the wing as Ross Wallace replaces Stanislas down the left.

Wallace should hug the touchline more than Stanislas and is a good crosser of the ball. However, without Ings and Vokes in the middle will it be enough for Burnley?

Arfield clips the ball over the top for Barnes. It's a nice idea but there's just a bit too much on it and Schmeichel is alert enough to get to the ball first.

CLOSE! Leicester almost double their lead as Schlupp storms down the left before his cross into the middle is blocked. The ball falls back to him off Duff though and his low shot is blocked inside the six-yard box by Shackell.

LEICESTER SUB: Former Burnley man and today's goalscorer Nugent is taken off by Pearson, with Gary Taylor-Fletcher on in his place. Will his goal turn out to be the match-winner? Certainly looks that way at the moment.

Burnley's fans know that their team are struggling out there and they're appealing for everything. (Know your there, their and they're!)

In all honesty, the strength in depth of the two teams really has been evident today. Burnley are missing their three best players and it's really shown. They should still go up though but today's performance is evidence that they need to invest if they are to survive in the top flight.

SHOT! Almost an equaliser out of nothing for the hosts as Kightly looks to bend one in the far corner but is denied by a strong Schmeichel punch.

GOAL! BURNLEY 0-2 LEICESTER (WOOD)

Game over as substitute Wood dips a spectacular 25-yard volley into the far corner. A stunning goal and Burnley are going to suffer defeat at home for the first time in over a year.

Althought there hasn't been many clear-cut opportunities today, the game has been settled by two strikes of pure class from Nugent and Wood. The Foxes are going back to the Premier League, 10 years after they were relegated.

Mahrez speeds past Mee down the right before shooting high and wide from outside the box. Today's attendance at Turf Moor is 16,794, with 2,860 fans travelling North from Leicester.

Treacy replaced Kightly just after the goal and he almost pulls a goal back for the hosts with a well-hit 20-yard shot that Schmeichel grasps low to his left.

LEICESTER SUB: Perason makes his final change by taking off Mahrez, replacing the tricky winger with Dean Hammond.

THREE minutes are added on by Foy, with the jubilant Leicester fans enjoying the Lancashire sunshine at one end. They know that they'll be travelling to the big boys of Arsenal, Manchester United and more next season.

Into the last minute of the game and there's a completely unnecessary scuffle between Schlupp and Wallace. The pair should be booked but Foy uses common sense as it's so late on and lets it go.

FULL-TIME: BURNLEY 0-2 LEICESTER

The Foxes started the day as number one and have justified top spot by toppling Burnley at home. The Clarets suffer defeat at home for the first time this season and you do have to feel sorry for them as they started the day with three key players missing and lost striker Sam Vokes inside 10 minutes. They remain 10 points clear of QPR in third but will now be looking over their shoulders in the closing weeks of the season.

We need to dash off here but make sure you stick around on Sports Mole for our extensive Championship coverage all afternoon. We'll have live scores and half-time and full-time reports of all 11 3pm kickoffs in the second tier. Enjoy!

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Burnley manager Sean Dyche smiles during his team's match against QPR on October 26, 2013
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