Here are Rob Tanner's top five Leicester City games of 2012.
City 4 Nottm Forest 0 Date: January 17 Game: FA Cup third-round replay Jermaine Beckford was the hero for City as he grabbed a hat-trick as Nigel Pearson's men marched into the fourth round for only the second time in six seasons. Beckford had previously scored only twice in the season, but had an amazing night. He played a vital role in City's opener when he won the ball and flicked on Lloyd Dyer's cross, which forced George Boateng to turn the ball into his own net. Beckford then added the second with a header. At the start of the second half, he scored two more inside 11 minutes to kill off the tie and reward City with a fourth-round home tie against Swindon Town. It was City's first hat-trick in the FA Cup since Matty Fryatt's treble against Dagenham & Redbridge in the second round, in 2008. Norwich City 1 City 2 Date: February 18 Game: FA Cup fifth round Not many City fans could see, quite literally, this classic cup victory over a Norwich side that had been going well in the Premier League. City suffered a dismal defeat at Watford the week before their trip to Carrow Road, and Norwich had slashed City's away allocation from 4,200 to 2,400. Sean St Ledger gave the City fans something to cheer with a fantastic header from a corner and, after Wes Hoolahan had equalised, David Nugent scored a memorable winner. Chelsea 5 City 2 Date: March 18 Game: FA Cup quarter-final City were put to the sword in ruthless fashion at Stamford Bridge, but they certainly played their part in an entertaining game. City substitute Ben Marshall scored the best goal of the game late on but their honest endeavour was just not enough to pull off a Cup shock. Chelsea were 3-0 up before Beckford pulled one back for City. However, Fernando Torres headed home his second and, after Marshall's stunner, Raul Meireles wrapped up a convincing win. Blackpool 3 City 3 Date: March 21 Game: Championship Just days after their FA Cup exit, City and Blackpool were embroiled in a thrilling game at Bloomfield Road. Kevin Phillips headed Blackpool in front but Danny Drinkwater slipped in Beckford for the equaliser. Five minutes later, Nugent scored his 15th of the campaign to put City in front. Roman Bednar equalised for Blackpool, but then Beckford headed home his second in the 73rd minute as City seemed on course for a win. However, City's defensive frailties cost them dearly again as Phillips stabbed home the late equaliser. Huddersfield 0 City 2 Date: October 2 Game: Championship This was the Anthony Knockaert show. The diminutive Frenchman was a virtual unknown following his arrival from French side Guingamp in August, but he announced his arrival with two stunning strikes. His first was a wonderful long-range effort which had both sets of fans gasping and then he produced an exquisite back-heel from behind his body and over his head to complete the victory against Simon Grayson's side.
