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Match verdict: Trick for Leicester City is learning how to win ugly

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Leicester City were given another reminder, if one was needed, of what it is going to take to claim the promotion prize they desperately seek.

When they are on song and allowed to play their brand of attractive, passing football, there is arguably no better side in the Championship.

But opponents of the more physical and direct persuasion now realise they can knock City out of their stride and, as Leeds did just a couple of weeks ago, Millwall repeated the feat at the Den on Saturday.

Hearing opposition managers after they have claimed victories talk about City as title contenders and one of the best side's in the division must be tiring for Leicester manager Nigel Pearson. The platitudes are worthless after defeats of this manner.

This was an ugly, horrible game of football, but they are the ones that City need to start winning if they are to truly challenge for the top two spots.

Towering on the horizon of the Den, the Shard, the tallest building in the European Union, is nearing completion and some of the penthouse apartments at the summit are rumoured to be worth £50million.

The amazing view is said to be one of the reasons for such a hefty figure, but if yours comes with a view of the Den then you may wish to ask for a discount.

The football they play certainly is not for the purists and it must be tough to watch, even for some of the home fans, but it is proving effective and now they are on the heels of City in the play-off places.

In truth, although it was their only real moment of genuine quality in the game, the winner came from a sweeping move which City themselves would have been proud of, although they will not be pleased with the way they defended it.

Two substitutes, Andy Keogh and Chris Taylor, were involved and when Liam Trotter pulled the ball back for Adam Smith to tap in from close range, the Lions had something to defend, and that is their strength.

Superbly marshalled by Danny Shittu, who is a challenger to Wes Morgan for the tag of the Championship's best defender, the Lions comfortably repelled every City attack.

As City pumped high ball after high ball into the box in the closing stages, it was like spawning season as Shittu and Mark Beevers rose like salmon to gobble up every high ball.

In fact, the only real chance of note that City created came in the first half when David Nugent saw his back-post volley saved by keeper David Forde.

Nugent has been City's main attacking threat this season. He has shown he has the quality to take a good percentage of the chances that have fallen his way and opponents have wised-up.

They know if they can shackle Nugent, City struggle to find the killer touch to complement their approach play, although this area of their game was not at its best at the Den.

City are not one-dimensional, but they do need to add a couple more strings to their bow to help them come through tough, physical tests such as this.

Match verdict: Trick for Leicester City is learning how to win ugly


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