Dickov drives Leicester to victory in painful reminder for Man City

Manchester City 0 Leicester 3

The Leicester striker not only found the target from the penalty spot but was the driving force behind this remarkable victory at the City of Manchester Stadium yesterday.

A cult figure during his time with City, Dickov got just the boost he needed ahead of Scotland's Euro 2004 play-off against Holland on Saturday.

Leicester went into this game without a point from their opening five matches on the road.

Yet they cruised to victory with Jordan Stewart and Marcus Bent also on the scoresheet. City were again out of sorts on home soil after being forced to settle for a draw on Thursday in the UEFA Cup against the unknown Polish side Groclin.

And Kevin Keegan was in a state of shock after Manchester City had caved in. The City boss said: "We were playing for a place in the top four. You would never have thought that. You wouldn't think this was a team that had a chance to go into a Champions League spot.

"I know it is early season, but that's what we were fighting for today. If you don't work the goalkeeper in 90 minutes with the players we've got on the park, then you've got to say it hasn't been your day. It hasn't worked, whatever you've tried to do."

City simply were not at the races, according to their manager. "You have got to put in some thought, you've got to put in some work rate and some passion. But we never got going and got what we deserved," he said.

"I asked the players why our performance was poor. But they didn't know and if they don't know I would just be guessing.

"The second goal was a turning point, a penalty. But it doesn't matter now, it's not the reason we lost this game. It was a very disappointing performance coming on the back of a good win at Southampton. Leicester worked very hard, but we knew they would."

Keegan expressed his sympathy for goalkeeper Kevin Ellegaard, making his debut because of David Seaman's hamstring injury.

"I am disappointed for Kevin that he comes in and plays behind a side that didn't perform very well," said the manager. "You would have liked him to get a bit more help and a bit more confidence."

Dickov made a difference, and manager Micky Adams said: "He is a pest - people don't enjoy playing against him.

Leicester have won two games in a row after a humiliating defeat by Wolves.

Adams said: "I don't think too many people would have fancied us today. We gained a little bit of confidence after the Blackburn result, a 2-0 win.

"I am delighted because we have learned the lessons from the Wolves game. Sometimes you need a kick in the teeth. Some harsh words were spoken after that. But there has been a terrific response.

"We mustn't become complacent, though. We are not that good. All we have done is put ourselves back in the pack."

MAN CITY: Stuhr-Ellegaard, Jihai, Distin, Dunne, Tarnat, Berkovic, Sibierski, McManaman, Barton (Bosvelt 61), Anelka, Wanchope (Fowler 61).

LEICESTER: Walker, Scimeca, Howey, Thatcher, Impey, Izzet, McKinlay, Stewart, Scowcroft, Bent (Ferdinand 79), Dickov (Hignett 86).

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).