Leicester City 2 Ipswich Town 0

Last updated : 26 December 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Goals by Richard Stearman and Patrick Kisnorbo helped Leicester City to only their third home win of the season.

Both strikes were the results of set-pieces with the Ipswich defence unable to cope with free-kicks expertly delivered by captain Stephen Clemence.

Leicester opened their account on 12 minutes when Clemence's dangerously flighted free-kick into a crowded penalty area was bundled home at close range by Stearman.

Moments later the full-back missed a good chance to double his tally when he stole in unmarked at the far post to head another Clemence free-kick into the sidenetting.

Little had been seen of Ipswich as an attacking force until the 28th minute, when Marton Fulop was forced to race from his line to halt Alan Lee's clear run on goal, before Stearman demonstrated his defensive prowess in heading clear John Walters' dangerous cross.

The Foxes found themselves two-up on 33 minutes when Kisnorbo got on the end of another Clemence free-kick to head home powerfully from seven yards.

Town almost pulled a goal back on 40 minutes when City allowed a Gavin Williams free-kick to drift to the far post, where the unmarked Walters headed narrowly wide.

The game was held up soon after the restart to allow referee Keith Hill to recover after he had been struck on the head by David Wright's attempted clearance.

The official struggled on for a further ten minutes before he was led off by medical staff and replaced by linesman Richard Smith.

Tommy Miller then drove a free-kick straight at Fulop and then Lee headed wide while for Leicester Clemence and Matty Fryatt, both having long-range efforts kept out by Neil Alexander.

Lee's persistent hard work was almost rewarded near the end, but the alert Fulop got down well to ensure his side a clean sheet.

Deep into added-on time a City breakaway, set up by Bruno N'Gotty, ended with Alexander diving to his left to keep out Iain Hume's 14-yard drive.