Millwall fought off a spirited display from 10-man Leicester City to beat the Foxes 1-0 at the King Power Stadium this afternoon.
Leicester were reduced to 10 men after less than three minutes when captain Wes Morgan was shown a red card for a foul on Andy Keogh, bringing the Millwall man down when he was the last man.
The Foxes held out for much of the match despite their numerical disadvantage, but were finally undone five minutes from time when Alan Dunne slotted home the winner.
You can read how an action-packed 90 minutes unfolded with Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.
Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match between Leicester and Millwall, and it is a match that could have major repercussions for both sides.
It's fair to say that Leicester have collapsed in recent weeks. They seemed to be cruising towards a playoff place at the turn of the year, despite a small blip in form in December, and some even tipped them for automatic promotion. However, they have won just one game since the end of January and now face a battle to finish in the top six.
The one win was a comfortable 3-0 triumph over Blackburn just over a month ago, but they have lost some very winnable games during their poor run of form.
The likes of Peterborough, Charlton, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday have all taken maximum points off the Foxes in that time, meaning that they have dropped 12 points against four of the bottom eight in the Championship. That's not great by any standards, yet alone for a team chasing promotion.
All of this has left Leicester clinging on to their playoff place by only goal difference. They currently sit sixth in the table, but Brighton & Hove Albion are breathing heavily down their necks and another disappointing loss for the Foxes tonight would see them remain level on points with Brighton having played a game more.
As for Millwall, their superb FA Cup run has taken some of the attention off their league form, which isn't great. They have won two of their last 10 matches - a record slightly better than today's opponents - but seven of the remaining eight matches resulted in defeats for the Lions. This run saw Millwall lose five matches in a row, including a 5-1 home thumping at the hands of lowly Peterborough.
A more optimistic way of looking at it, however, is that Millwall have won two of their last four games. These have both come away from home, against Middlesbrough and Charlton respectively, but the Lions will still be fully aware that they are not out of the relegation battle yet.
Millwall currently sit 16th in the table, just five points from safety. That may seem like a bit of daylight, but in a season where the bottom teams have come up with unexpected wins at important times, Millwall will have to keep winning to maintain their distance. They are one of five teams locked on 47 points, although they have played less games than all of the teams around them.
Because things are so tight in the Championship, however, a win becomes even more valuable, and Millwall could make their situation look a whole lot better with three points. It could lift them as high as 12th if they win by enough goals, level on points with Burnley.
TEAM NEWS: Right, it's about time to bring you folks some team news for tonight's match I think! Leicester make four changes to their starting lineup as they look for an increasingly elusive win, while Millwall make three changes of their own. Full teams coming right up...
LEICESTER STARTING XI: Schmeichel; De Laet, Morgan, Keane, Konchesky; Knockaert, Drinkwater, James, Schlupp; Wood, Nugent
LEICESTER SUBS: Whitbread, Vardy, King, Dyer, Logan, Wellens, Kane
MILLWALL STARTING XI: Forde; Dunne, Shittu, Lowry, A.Smith; J.Smith, Trotter, Chaplow, Easter; Keogh, Hulse
MILLWALL SUBS: M.Taylor, Malone, Abdou, Saville, Woolford, N'Guessan, Marquis
So, what can we make of both sides? Well, the four changes for Leicester indicate that Pearson wants to freshen up a side who, by his own admission, are lacking confidence at the moment. Some of these changes have been forced upon him, but that could prove to be a blessing in disguise as the fringe players will be looking to earn a more regular starting spot tonight.
The ones to watch going forward for Leicester tonight will be Nugent, Wood and Knockaert. The front two have scored 21 goals in 46 matches between them so far this season, with Wood's tally of seven in 12 being particularly impressive. Nugent has 14 goals to his name - making him Leicester's top scorer this season, while Knockaert is more than capable of contributing from midfield as he also has seven goals to his name this season.
They have firepower on the bench too, with the likes of Jamie Vardy and 19-year-old Harry Kane. They can both be potential game changers if Pearson thinks that his starting strikeforce has become too predictable.
Millwall, meanwhile, have struggled for goals at times this season. Their top scorers are Trotter and Keogh with six apiece, so look out for them, while Hulse will be looking to make the most of any chances that come his way too.
Defensively, the powerhouse that is Danny Shittu will be marshalling the troops, and if Leicester want to get on the scoresheet then they will undoubtedly have to get through Shittu first.
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The good news for Leicester is that, despite their poor recent form, they still have one of the best home records in the Championship this season. Only Crystal Palace and Cardiff have amassed more points in front of their own supporters than the Foxes, who have claimed 39 points in 19 games. Millwall's away form isn't too bad either, though. Their tally of 24 points from 19 games on their travels is the eighth best in the league.
PREDICTION: With just 10 minutes to go until kickoff, it is time for my prediction! Given both sides' recent form this is a tough one to predict and it could realistically go either way. I do think Leicester have the superior side, but that hasn't counted for much in recent weeks so I'll go for a draw, 1-1.
As I alluded to in the intro, Millwall won the reverse fixture between these two sides in December. Chris Taylor got the only goal of the match in a 1-0 win for the Lions, extending their winning streak against Leicester to three matches.
The last time Leicester emerged victorious from this fixture was over two years ago in January 2011. The Foxes triumphed 4-2 on the day courtesy of goals from Lloyd Dyer, Yakubu and a Souleymane Bamba brace.
Who is in greater need of a win today, then? Well, in my view it is Leicester. Three points could really be the catalyst they need to push on and secure a playoff place, while another loss would dent their confidence even further and may result in an even bigger slump. A win for Millwall would go a long way to lifting them away from the relegation battle, however, so both sides have lots to play for.
Millwall Kenny Jackett says that he has tried to get the balance between attack and defence right for this match, but still believes that if they can play to their full capability then they should win the game. Seven defeats in 10 is an alarming run of form for any side, so Millwall will be desperate to stop the rot tonight.
Leicester probably have the best pre-match anthem in the Championship - the whole crowd is singing along to Hey Jude by the Beatles as I type.
The players are lined up and we're seconds away from the start of this match. It's a big one for both sides!
Here we go! We're underway at the King Power Stadium.
RED CARD! Wes Morgan (Leicester City)
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Oh what a terrible start for Leicester! Millwall threaten to make a quick break behind the defence and Morgan barges into Keogh to try and stop it. He is the last man and brings the Millwall striker down, so the referee has no choice but to show him the red card. Such a big decision this early on!
SAVE! It almost got even worse for Leicester there. From the resulting free kick Schmeichel makes a superb flying save to parry the ball out for a corner. Brilliant start by Millwall but where can Leicester go from here?
The red card and subsequent minute or so was greeted by boos from the home support - I'm sure more to do with the club's current form and predicament than the decision - but now the home fans are voicing their support for their side.
SAVE! Smith has time to come forward into space down the right for Millwall. It all opens up for him so he goes for goal and it isn't a bad strike whatsoever. It takes a tricky bounce just in front of Schmeichel but the keeper holds on to it.
Half chance for Leicester as Shittu completely misjudges the ball, allowing the hosts to have a three-on-one situation. Nugent advances towards the area and eventually tries to feed his teammates the ball, but he left it too late and the chance goes. Should have done better there.
This match has started at a frenetic pace. Leicester have responded well to going a man down while Millwall look eager to make the most of their numerical advantage.
OFF THE LINE! Leicester come ever so close to breaking the deadlock! A long, teasing ball entices Forde to try and reach it, but it goes over him and is nodded back across goal by Wood. The Millwall defence scramble back in time to clear it from underneath their own crossbar, however, as the ball looked to be drifting in.
SAVE! At the other end Easter lets fly from range and again Schmeichel has to be on top form to deny Millwall. He dives to his left and gets the slightest of fingertips to it to turn it wide.
CHANCE! This is end-to-end stuff! De Laet makes a powerful run down the right and bursts into the box before beating his man with a little shimmy. He tries to curl a shot into the bottom right corner, but Shittu is there to make a clearance. I can barely keep up here, thrilling stuff!
Chris Wood lunges in on Forde as the Millwall keeper takes a while to pick the ball up from a failed long ball forward. There was no malice there but Forde gives his former teammate a long glare.
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SHOT! Wood outpaces Lowry at the back and suddenly finds himself through on goal. He is slightly wide right so the angle is against him and, with no-one in support he goes for an ambitious shot that flies just past Forde's post. Leicester look dangerous on the break.
Phew! This match has just started to settle down a bit after a frantic opening 20 minutes. Leicester still look very capable of scoring despite being reduced to 10 men after just three minutes.
Half chance for Millwall as a quick free kick seems to catch Leicester unawares. The ball is clipped into the box and Hulse looks to flick it on, but he doesn't get anything on the ball and it is cleared away.
CHANCE! Big chance for Millwall! Paul Konchesky inexplicably loses the ball on the edge of his own area and Hulse advances in on goal with only Schmeichel to beat. The Leicester keeper stays on his feet until the last second, eventually saving Hulse's effort with his feet. He is the main reason the scores are still level here.
De Laet leaves a lazy left leg out to bring Adam Smith down. That one was worthy of nothing more than a free kick, but I don't think we've seen the last of the cards today. Both sides look very fired up.
Chaplow attempts to put a corner into the box but it swerves viciously in mid-air, causing Schmeichel to dive towards his near post. It hits the side netting and has to go down as a poor corner, but Schmeichel was worried about that sneaking in.
CHANCE! Hulse has another chance but again he is denied by Schmeichel! A cross is flicked on to the striker at the back post and he chests it down before going for goal from a very tight angle. The crowd call for a handball but Schmeichel, as he should, plays to the whistle and makes another important save.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Hulse thinks that he has finally beaten Schmeichel, but his celebrations don't last long as the linesman's flag is raised. Chaplow does very well to turn his man inside the box before whipping a low ball into a dangerous area. Easter tries to poke it goalwards but only succeeds in flicking it on to Hulse, who taps in at the back post. It was Easter's touch that made Hulse offside, and it's a very good decision by the linesman, even if he took a while to make it!
I'm surprised that this one has gone so long without a goal, to be honest. It has been a very open, entertaining match and if it remains 0-0 it would be one of the best goalless draws I have ever seen!
A good Millwall move results in Chaplow breaking into the box, but he is forced out wide and his pass is too short for Smith, who hammers it out for a Leicester throw in.
Chaplow has a chance to deliver a ball into the box and his cross is only cleared as far as Smith on the edge of the box. He tries to steer it into the bottom right corner and it looks goalbound but for a block by the last man in a crowded penalty area. I'm not sure Schmeichel would have got to that one.
You get the feeling that this match is only just starting to recover from that early red card. Things are settling down and it is beginning to look like a normal Championship fixture rather than a cup tie!
Leicester will be happy to get to half time still level right now. Millwall have been on top for the last 10 minutes or so and the Foxes are, of course, down to 10 men. They have responded well to that red card but half time would give Nigel Pearson a chance to organise his team properly.
A nice period of possession by Millwall breaks down as Easter's pass is just too heavy and rolls into the arms of Schmeichel, who was quick off his line.
There will be one minute of added time at the KP Stadium.
HALF TIME: Leicester 0-0 Millwall
So the referee brings an end to an action-packed, highly eventful half. The score remains 0-0, although that only tells half of the story.
Leicester lost their captain, Wes Morgan, in the first three minutes when he was correctly sent off for a foul on Keogh as the last man. Leicester responded very well and created a few chances of their own, but unsurprisingly they weren't able to nullify Millwall's extra man, and they have Kaspar Schmeichel to thank for still being level. The keeper has made a number of good saves and will no doubt be just as busy in the second half.
Hulse had the best chance of the match when he robbed Paul Konchesky of possession, but he was denied by Schmeichel with his effort. Hulse also had the ball in the back of the net at one point, but his celebrations were cut short by a linesman's flag, which was correctly raised for offside.
Millwall began to gain more control of the match as the half wore on and I'd expect that trend to continue in the second half as the 10 men of Leicester get tired. The hosts have looked dangerous going forward as well, however, so don't rule out a goal on the break from Nigel Pearson's men.
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Millwall boss Kenny Jackett will be keen for his side to continue to control the ball and tire the opposition out. They have created enough chances but found Schmeichel in inspired form. More of the same should be enough to make the breakthrough, but Jackett may be tempted to change his tactics to try to force that opening goal.
Nigel Pearson, meanwhile, has to decided whether to go for a win or hang on for a draw. He didn't make a defensive sub immediately after the red card, which hints that he still believes his side can win this one. They are the home side and created chances despite their numerical disadvantage, so Pearson may wait a while before going defensive.
You'd have to say that a draw would be a good result for Leicester now, though. They would have been hopeful of a win before kickoff, but the red card has changed everything. Considering their recent form as well, I'm sure Pearson will be content with a share of the spoils.
UPDATE: Elsewhere in the Championship on this Good Friday, Derby are currently leading Bristol City by one goal to nil, Jeff Hendrick getting the only goal of that one so far.
Both sides are back out at the KP Stadium. A big half awaits both sides - will Leicester be able to hang on with just 10 men?
Leicester get us back underway!
Schlupp sends an early ball up the line towards Nugent, who is wrongly flagged offside. Leicester may have to soak up a lot of pressure in this half so they will be keen to break quickly just like they threatened to do so there.
SHOT! Everyone is waiting in the box for a long ball from the free kick, but Knockaert plays it short to Drinkwater. The duo exchange passes again before the latter lets fly from a good 30 yards out. The ball is never troubling the keeper, but Leicester have made a bright start to this half.
Knockaert is down and hurt after catching an accidental elbow to the face courtesy of Chaplow. Players always go down too easily these days but this time I think he can be excused, he caught one right on the chin!
Knockaert must still be shaken by that incident as the next time he gets the ball he tries a flurry of step-overs, only to mess them up and gift the defender the ball!
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Millwall are having to be very patient here as Leicester are being very disciplined in defence. The visitors knock the ball about in the Leicester half and eventually make their way into the area, but are forced all the way back to their own keeper, whose clearance goes straight out for a throw in.
Dunne clips a brilliant ball into the back post with the outside of his foot. Hulse has peeled off his man and nods it back across goal, but there are no Millwall players to take advantage and the chances goes begging.
Millwall are starting to dominate possession now and the warning signs are starting build for Leicester.
LEICESTER SUB: Pearson has obviously recognised this and makes a change accordingly. On comes Andy King for Danny Drinkwater.
Millwall carelessly give away a corner, something they really shouldn't be doing in their current position. The ball in finds De Laet's head, but his effort on goal is too high.
Schmeichel hoofs a huge clearance upfield and it flies from the edge of his box to the edge of Millwall's. Wood is chasing with Shittu in close attendance, but Forde comes to eventually collect.
YELLOW CARD! Hulse becomes the first person to be shown a yellow card tonight, and rightly so. The striker put in a needlessly heavy and late aerial challenge on Schmeichel when the keeper already had the ball.
CHANCE! Leicester are holding out for set pieces to provide chances now and this one does. A long ball towards the back post finds King who has escaped his marker, but his header back into the six yard box is not met by a blue shirt and Millwall scramble it clear.
Full credit to the Leicester fans tonight. They booed the red card when it happened in the second minute but, since then, I don't think that they've stopped singing once.
SHOT! The ball comes out to Adam Smith and he takes a touch before going for goal from what must be all of 40 yards. It is a fine strike, but it will need to be something truly special to beat Schmeichel from there. The keeper gets his full body behind the strike and holds on.
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Nugent looks to use his pace against the man-mountain that is Shittu, but the big defender shows good pace to keep up and put the ball out for a throw-in, halting the attack in the process.
YELLOW CARD! Chaplow commits two silly tackles in quick succession and the ref gives him a yellow card for his troubles. The latest foul was a lunge on De Laet, who had just robbed him of the ball.
Trotter pokes the ball out of Knockaert's hand as the midfielder looks to place the ball down for a free kick. Knockaert reacts angrily, but the ref calms the situation down well.
YELLOW CARD! Just second after the ref gives him a talking to, Trotter puts in a dangerous late tackle on Schlupp and is shown a yellow. Some fans want a red as it looked as it that was a two-footer, but I think a yellow is the right choice.
MILLWALL SUBS: Kenny Jackett makes a double change as he looks to get the opener here. Off go Hulse and Jack Smith and on come John Marquis and Nadjim Abdou.
YELLOW CARD! This one is getting heated now! Dunne blocks Schlupp and the defender is not happy about the tackle. He reacts by pushing Dunne away, and both players are shown a yellow card.
Wood lays the ball off to King and immediately peels off his man to look for the return ball. King tries to lift it over the defender but his attempt looks lazy, or tired, and he doesn't get anywhere near enough contact on the ball.
It's Leicester who are on top at the moment, which is a bit of a surprise. Nugent makes his way to the byline down the left and clips a good ball into the box, but no blue shirts can get a head on it.
GREAT SAVE! Very good save from David Forde, he showed fantastic reactions there! A free kick is flicked on by Wood but the last touch comes off Trotter right in front of his own keeper. Forde barely has any time to react, but he gets enough on the ball to shovel it out for a corner. Fine save.
UPDATE: Quick update from Pride Park as we enter the final stages of this match. Derby have doubled their lead and are now 2-0 up against Bristol City.
Millwall try to break free and Chaplow just rolls the ball into the path of Smith, who has raced 70 yards or so to join the action. His first touch is far too heavy, though, and goes out for a goal kick, much to Smith's annoyance.
LEICESTER SUB: Harry Kane is coming on for Leicester in place of Millwall's leading scorer Chris Wood. Yes, you read that right, Wood is still the leading scorer for the Lions after his spell at the club earlier this season.
Leicester are still battling away here and they are the team on the front foot going into the closing stages. Brilliant heart and desire shown by Pearson's team who, remember, have had to play with 10 men since the third minute.
GOAL! Leicester 0-1 Millwall (Alan Dunne)
That is the commentator's curse in full effect! The ball breaks to Chaplow at the back post and then he gets another lucky bounce of De Laet to keep the ball inside the box. He lays the ball back towards the penalty spot where no-one is waiting, but Dunne bursts out of nowhere to place his shot past Schmeichel into the bottom right corner. That was a very composed finish from the full-back, who hadn't scored for three years before tonight!
That is devastating for Leicester. They had held on for so long with 10 men and looked capable of nicking a win themselves in the closing stages. Luck has been in short supply for Nigel Pearson's side in recent weeks.
MILLWALL SUB: Millwall make a sub to try to wind down the clock as Keogh trudges slowly off the field to be replaced by Martyn Woolford.
There is renewed optimism around the KP Stadium as five minutes of added time is signalled.
Leicester have a corner and Schmeichel is charging upfield! As always in these situations the ball seems attracted to the keeper and he challenges, but is beaten to the ball by Shittu. The referee blows for a foul against Schmeichel, which is a very harsh decision.
Konchesky pumps the ball forward and Nugent gets his head to it, but he can't direct it towards a teammate and Forde collects. Time is running out for the hosts here.
Fair play to Millwall as well, they are not time wasting here and seem eager to get a second! This match has been played in that spirit throughout, which has been good to see.
FULL TIME: Leicester 0-1 Millwall
The referee blows to end a thrilling Championship encounter between Leicester and Millwall. Leicester deserve a lot of credit for the part they played having lost their skipper to a red card after less than three minutes. It was a late goal from Alan Dunne that proved to be the difference, however, and Millwall come away with a massive three points.
Schmeichel was in top form for Leicester tonight and didn't really deserve to be beaten at all. The match, as a whole, was pretty even considering that the hosts played most of it with 10 men. However, the fact remains that it is another loss for Leicester and they have won just one of their last 10 league games. If Brighton get anything against Nottingham Forest tomorrow, they will drop out of the playoff positions.
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Right, that's it from me tonight. Thank you for joining Sports Mole for what was a thrilling match of football at the King Power Stadium. Millwall just came out on top in the end to edge further away from the relegation battle, but Leicester played 87 minutes with 10 men. Be sure to stick around for reaction to this one, but from me it's goodbye!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
