Tottenham v Leicester 22/09/96 4.00Tottenham (0) 1 Leicester (1) 2 FT Wilson 64 (pen) Claridge 22 Marshall 86 Ian Marshall scored his first goal since his £800,000 move from Ipswich Town last month to earn Leicester City a dramatic victory at White Hart Lane. Marshall, yet to start a game since moving to Filbert Street, came off the substitute's bench to replace the injured Steve Claridge and head home Garry Parker's 84th minute corner. It was a massive relief for Leicester who had looked to have thrown away the advantage given them by Claridge's first half goal - a period they dominated. Skipper Steve Walsh could have killed off the game only for his penalty to be saved by Ian Walker and then a revitalised Tottenham equalised from the spot through Clive Wilson. But Marshall ensured Leicester's first away win of the season, although the real star of the show was England Under-21 player Emile Heskey. Heskey, who went to the same school as Gary Lineker, tormented the Tottenham defence throughout with his searing bursts of pace. 
Tottenham, in contrast, barely posed a threat in the first 45 minutes with Chris Armstrong failing a fitness test on his ankle injury and Sol Campbell playing upfront. They re-organised after the break and showed more purpose with City 'keeper Kasey Keller pulling off a couple of fine saves but Leicester still created many problems. Tottenham enjoyed plenty of early possession but it was Leicester who carried the most threat with Heskey quickly in the thick of the action. The England Under-21 player forced Ian Walker to palm away a centre at full stretch and his pace always troubled the Tottenham defence. Claridge came close to giving Leicester a 16th minute lead when he latched onto a Neil Lennon cross at the far post and his header was beaten away by Walker. But he was not to be denied in the 21st minute after a fine first time pass from Scott Taylor found Heskey on the right flank. He raced past the Tottenham defence and his low centre was inch perfect for Claridge to knock home at the far post for the simplest of finishes. But in the process Claridge fell awkwardly on the left ankle which has caused him problems this season and had to be substituted ten minutes later. However, Leicester continued to look more menacing and Walker's hands were stung by a rasping 20 yard drive from Mustafa Izzet. Another run and menacing cross from Heskey then found Ian Marshall, who had replaced Claridge, but he dragged his shot just wide. All Tottenham could muster in the opening 45 minutes was a series of hopeful crosses which caused few problems for the three Leicester centre-backs. Gerry Francis re-organised after the break, bringing on Andy Sinton on the left flank and effectively playing three at the back. They immediately showed more purpose with Darren Anderton shooting across goal when well placed. 
Leicester quickly re-established control and they won a 55th minute penalty when Stuart Nethercott brought down that man Heskey in the penalty area. But Leicester skipper Steve Walsh, the third choice penalty taker behind the absent Garry Parker and Mike Whitlow, saw his low shot saved by Walker away to his left. That acted as a spur for Tottenham and in the 63rd minute Spencer Prior held down Campbell with Wilson sending Keller the wrong way from the spot. It was the start of a purple patch for Tottenham with Keller having to pull off fine saves to turn over 20 yard efforts from Fox and Allan Nielsen. But Leicester still created chances with Heskey again in the thick of the action. In the 78th minute he turned sharply and planted a powerful drive past Walker but the ball rebounded off the right hand post to safety. However, justice was done when Marshall pulled away from Nethercott and planted a firm header past Walker to send the travelling Foxes army ecstatic. 
Tottenham: Walker, Edinburgh (Sinton, 45), Howells, Calderwood, Fox, Nielsen (Rosenthal, 86), Anderton, Wilson, Campbell, Allen, Nethercott. Subs not used: Carr, Kerslake, Baardsen. Booked: Nethercott. Leicester: Keller, Grayson, Watts, Walsh, Izzet, Lennon, Taylor, Claridge (Marshall, 31), Heskey, Prior, Lewis (Parker, 69). Subs not used: Lawrence, Robins, Poole. Booked: Izzet. Attendance: 24,159. Referee: A B Wilkie (County Durham). |
