”King Hell’ – Cardiff City Lose At Leicester

Cardiff City succumbed to a first league defeat of the season after Leicester City fought back to win 2-1 at the Walkers Stadium.

The Bluebirds were seriously depleted and without the likes of Bothroyd, Bellamy, Chopra, Olofinjana and Drinkwater while McPhail and Koumas are only just returning to fitness.

City started reasonably well, but created few chances. Keogh and Koumas both had efforts saved by Ikeme but it was Leicester City who had the best chance to take the lead when Morrison’s effort was cleared off the line by Keogh.

It was somewhat against the run of play when the Bluebirds scored, a freak goal of the highest order as Lee Naylor’s attempted cross flew over Ikeme and into the top corner from fully 40 yards. The goal sparked Cardiff’s best period in the match and the only time we played with real fluency. However, on the stroke of half-time, Leicester really should have been level as a quick counter attack saw the lively Dyer square to Waghorn who missed a sitter.

You always felt there was more to come from Leicester, and with the fatigued Bluebirds flagging, the Foxes dominated the entire second half. It was no suprise when the equaliser came courtesy of Dyer’s cross to the un-marked Andy King.

Starved of possession, the Bluebirds looked a shadow of our usual selves and there was only going to be one winner. Oakley and Waghorn forced a good double save from Marshall before Wellens set King in space for his second of the game. Marshall then dropped a real clanger as his bizarre ball to an un-suspecting Naylor was picked up by Dyer – but the winger contrived to hit the post when one-on-one. Madness form the Scottish goalkeeper.

City tried to get back into the game, but never looked likely to muster a real chance. Burke’s tame effort was easily held by Ikeme, while another flew over – that was about it for the jaded Bluebirds and no-one could argue that Leicester deserved their win.

Hopefully, Bothroyd, Bellamy and Olofinjana will all be available for Saturday’s trip to Ipswich Town. Drinkwater is hoping to return next week, while Chopra remains a month from fitness.