The first leg of the Championship playoff tie between Leicester City and Watford featured plenty of action and lots of chances, but only one goal. Kasper Schmeichel and Manuel Almunia, two of the division's best goalkeepers, both turned in excellent performances to prevent more goals from being scored, but David Nugent broke the deadlock late to send his side into the second leg with a 1-0 lead.
Leicester City vs. Watford: Final score 1-0, Foxes take advantage to Vicarage Road
Both goalkeepers had excellent games, but David Nugent was able to score a winner for Leicester late in the second half.
Michael Regan
Watford was the more lively side in the first half and regularly created chances on the counter. Leicester didn’t seem to have much of an answer for their talented midfield trio, but Watford struggled to finish off chances without suspended striker Troy Deeney in the side. Matej Vydra, who has 20 goals on the season but is on a terrible run of form, was poor in front of goal once again. Antony Knockaert was Leicester’s most dangerous player, regularly wreaking havoc down the right flank for the Foxes.
Leicester subbed in on-loan Tottenham striker Harry Kane in the 63rd minute, and he would eventually play a part in the goal, drawing a free kick on the edge of the area in the 82nd minute. Knockaert delivered a ball into the box that was met by the head of Nugent, who had lost his marker. He redirected the ball into the back of the net, altering Leicester's fortunes considerably. They would have been underdogs to advance without the goal, but will now head to Vicarage Road as slight favorites.
