Match Report

Leicester City

Tottenham Hotspur

Keller, Kaamark (Cottee, 88), Guppy (Fenton, 88), Elliott, Prior, Walsh, Izzet, Lennon, Parker, Marshall (Claridge, 73), Heskey.

Attendance
20,683
Referee
A B Wilkie

Walker, Carr, Scales, Campbell, Mabbutt, Nielsen, Howells, Ginola, Domingues, Ferdinand (Armstrong, 45), Clemence.

Subs not used: Andrews, Campbell.

Subs not used: Baardsen, Fox, Calderwood, Arber.

Booked:

Booked: Campbell.

Goal Scorer: Walsh 55, Guppy 68, Heskey 77

Leicester gave themselves the perfect lift before Tuesday's daunting UEFA Cup clash with Atletico Madrid when they overwhelmed a woeful Tottenham Hotspur at Filbert Street to stay in the Premiership's leading pack. Martin O'Neill had urged his side to stay focused on Saturday's clash rather than cast an eye towards the meeting with Juninho and Co and they did not let him down. They totally dominated proceedings from start to finish, combining power and passion with skill and creativity, with man of the match Steve Guppy on the left flank and Muzzy Izzet in midfield particularly influential figures. On this performance O'Neill's men will certainly not have to be under-estimated by Madrid coach Radomir Antic who had a `spy' in the stand.
But they were aided by a listless performance from Tottenham and after Leicester's third goal a small pocket of their fans started chanting: ``We want Gerry Francis out''. That may be an over-reaction after Spurs had taken seven points from the previous three games but the commitment and heart of some of his side must be questioned on this performance. Les Ferdinand received no worthwhile service and was taken off at half-time while David Ginola gave a powder-puff performance - a startling contrast to Leicester's left-sided player in Guppy.
Leicester were the more purposeful side in the opening period and Tottenham were twice rescued by the woodwork in the first 10 minutes. First Emile Heskey cut inside a Spurs defender and fired in a low shot which Ian Walker got a hand to - but was relieved to see the ball rebound off a post to safety. Then within 60 seconds a right-wing corner from Steve Guppy picked out Ian Marshall at the near post and his powerful header cannoned off the crossbar. Matt Elliott also had a golden chance to break the deadlock when he latched onto an outwinging Guppy free-kick at the far post but he side-footed his shot wide. Leicester goalkeeper Kasey Keller was not called upon to make a save worthwhile of the name in the first half. Ginola should have at least tested the American when a low cross from Jose Dominguez fell invitingly into his path 12 yards out but he spooned his shot over the bar. Tottenham replaced Ferdinand with Chris Armstrong for the second half - his first start of 1997 after a serious ankle problem. But play followed a similar pattern after the interval with Leicester deservedly breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute after Sol Campbell had been booked for a foul on Izzet. Pontus Kaamark's free-kick picked out Walsh at the far post and he headed back across goal past Walker into the far corner of the net. It was the second time in barely two weeks that Walsh had broken North London hearts after his injury-time equaliser in the last home match against Arsenal. Spurs looked to have little relish for the contest and the tenacious Neil Lennon was only a yard wide with a long range effort before Leicester went further ahead. Steve Walsh's header from a Parker corner was cleared but the ball broke to Guppy just inside the left side of the area and his left-footed drive gave Walker no chance as it flew into the top corner. Then 13 minutes from time Heskey put the icing on a commanding Leicester performance when he converted a low right-wing centre from Elliott.