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Championship
Apr 12, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
BL

2-2

Schlupp (75'), Davies (12' og.)
FT(HT: 1-0)
Zigic (61'), Burke (90' pen.)

Match Analysis: Leicester City 2-2 Birmingham City

:Headline: Match Analysis: Leicester City 2-2 Birmingham City: ID:79178: from db_amp
Sports Mole takes a look at the key talking points from Leicester City's 2-2 draw with Birmingham City.

A 2-2 draw with Birmingham City meant that Leicester City missed the opportunity to return to the playoff zone in the Championship on Friday evening.

Despite taking the lead twice at the King Power Stadium, Leicester forward David Nugent gifted Birmingham the opportunity to snatch a point when he conceded a penalty in the 90th minute.

Chris Burke slotted home from 12 yards to claim a draw for the visitors and put a further dent in Leicester's promotion hopes.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the key talking points from the match.

Match statistics:

Leicester:
Shots: 16
On target: 8
Possession: 47%
Corners: 8
Fouls: 9

Birmingham:
Shots: 10
On target: 6
Possession: 53%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 5

Was the result fair?

Leicester fans may disagree but over the course of the 90 minutes, it probably was a fair result. The home side had the better opportunities but Birmingham refused to give up and showed great fight to snatch a draw when a defeat was beginning to look inevitable.

Leicester's performance

It looked like the Leicester of old for long spells in the match but familiar frailties were obvious as the final whistle approached. Nigel Pearson's side had numerous opportunities to add to their two goals but the Foxes wasted clear chances, with Jeffrey Schlupp particularly poor in front of goal.

Birmingham's performance

Lee Clark will be delighted with his side's display tonight. The visitors looked slightly off the pace early on but a couple of superb defensive performances from Paul Robinson and Curtis Davies, who was magnificent following his own goal, allowed Birmingham to frustrate Leicester and find a point in the final minute of normal time.

Sports Mole's man of the match:

Curtis Davies: It may seem strange to give this award to a player who inadvertently headed the ball into his own goal in the first half but Davies was fantastic in defence. The centre back made numerous vital clearances as well as denying Richie de Laet and Schlupp with expertly timed challenges.

Referee's performance:

Mike Russell didn't have too many tough decisions to make tonight but it can be argued that he got the biggest call wrong. Replays showed that Nugent had fouled Wes Thomas just outside the area but it was a difficult decision for Russell, who pointed to the spot.

Biggest gaffe

If a referee mistakenly gives a crucial penalty in the final minute, he would usually win this award but no, not tonight. Nugent's inability to control the ball before putting his defence under pressure and conceding the penalty was definitely tonight's biggest mistake.

What next?

Leicester: The Foxes will be hoping to reignite their playoff hopes when they host promotion rivals Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night.

Birmingham: Birmingham are also back in action on Tuesday and Clark will hope his side can build on tonight's result when they visit Bristol City.

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