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Heartbreak for Leicester City with late-goal agony

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Leicester City's Wembley and promotion dream is over after a dramatic defeat to Watford in the play-off semi-final. City looked on the verge of victory and Wembley after being awarded a controversial penalty for a foul on Anthony Knockaert with the score at 2-1 to Watford and 2-2 on aggregate. But Knockaert's spot-kick was saved and Watford keeper Manuel Alumnia also blocked the follow-up. Watford then went straight down the pitch and Troy Deeney score in the seventh minute of injury time to put Watford ahead on aggregate. A pitch invasion followed and in the 100th minute the Watford keeper had to bravely save at the feet of City sub Harry Kane. Watford trailed 1-0 from the first leg and twice levelled the tie on aggregate through Matej Vydra, either side of David Nugent's header. Zola's side will now face Brighton or Crystal Palace for a place in the Barclays Premier League on Monday, May 27. Vydra had not scored in his last 12 games but ended his drought in style in the 15th minute. Marco Cassetti chipped the ball over the top and Vydra, on the run, let it drop over his shoulder before crashing a superb angled volley across Kasper Schmeichel and into the net. That levelled the tie on aggregate but City got their noses back in front just four minutes later, Nugent out-jumping Lloyd Doyley at the far post to nod in Matty James' corner. The Foxes could have had another moments later but Knockaert skied his effort. Watford piled forward after the interval with Cristian Battocchio tip-toeing through a couple of challenges on the edge of the box before shooting just wide. Then Vydra's lay-off gave Almen Abdi an opportunity 15 yards out but his drive also flew the wrong side of the post. The goal they desperately needed came in the 65th minute when Vydra played a neat one-two with Deeney just inside the area and sidefooted his second past Schmeichel. Deeney had the ball in the net with 12 minutes remaining after running on to Vydra's through-ball but an offside flag curtailed his celebrations. But with extra time looming Cassetti nudged Knockaert to the ground in the area and referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot. Knockaert was already celebrating in front of Leicester's fans but that proved premature when Almunia saved his penalty with his legs and got up in time to parry the rebound. And as if that was not dramatic enough, Watford charged back upfield and moments later Jonathan Hogg's header back across goal was touched on by Vydra and Deeney gleefully slammed in the winner.

Heartbreak for Leicester City with late-goal agony


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