Deane gives Leicester win in new stadium

Leicester City 2 Watford 0

Brian Deane ensured that Leicester City made a victorious start to life at their new Walkers Stadium with a two-goal blast early in the second half.

The veteran striker sent the majority of the 30,000 fans home happy after striking in the 46th and 54th minutes.

It was just the kind of start manager Micky Adams was looking for as the Foxes bid to try and regain their Premiership status at the first attempt.

Leicester had been tentative in the opening 45 minutes after they had come out into their new arena to the strains of the theme from the film “The Omen” and a flurry of fireworks.

But they dominated the second period after Deane’s double blast had removed any anxiety from their play and allowed them to play with freedom and confidence.

Only some fine saves from Watford ’keeper Alec Chamberlain prevented his side from losing by a bigger margin as they faded out of the picture in the final 45 minutes.

Deane’s strike partner Paul Dickov was also a constant threat to the Hornets defence with his pace and aggression and he also worked tirelessly throughout.

And at the back Gerry Taggart was a rock solid performer on his return to action after a six-month lay-off with a double knee problem.

Leicester came out to a tremendous roar from the 30,000 crowd but there was little to choose between the sides in the opening 45 minutes – and precious little excitement.

Chamberlain easily dealt with a Lee Marshall volley while at the other end the visitors appealed in vain for handball against Taggart as he made a vital far-post interception to clear a free-kick from Paul Robinson.

Chamberlain kept his side on level terms with a superb finger-tip save to turn over a 35-yard curling free-kick from Alan Rogers.

But then City were forced into a tactical reshuffle after Matt Elliott limped out of the action and was replaced by Billy McKinlay.

That led to Frank Sinclair moving alongside Elliott, Lee Marshall reverting to right-back and McKinlay partnering Muzzy Izzet in the centre of the park.

Sinclair immediately made a telling impact in the middle with a vital challenge to deny Alan Nielsen after he had made a run into the Leicester penalty area.

Leicester started to look more threatening towards the interval with Brian Deane making more of an impact.

The former Middlesbrough striker got on the end of a left-wing centre from Rogers but sent his header high and wide.

Then Deane made contact with a cross from the other flank by Marshall and this time his glancing header forced a save out of Chamberlain away to his right.

But he found his scoring boots with a vengeance after the break by striking twice in eight minutes.

The second half was barely a minute old when Deane broke the deadlock after some fine skill by the transfer-listed Muzzy Izzet.

The Turkey international got past Alan Nielsen inside the penalty area before turning the ball back to Nicky Summerbee.

His first time cross was perfectly placed for Deane who made no mistake with a close range header at the far post.

Leicester were now well in the ascendancy and Chamberlain tipped over a powerful 20 yard effort from James Scowcroft – but after 54 minutes Deane struck for the second time.

The veteran striker moved almost unnoticed into the area to get onto the end of a left-wing centre from Scowcroft and he steered the ball wide Chamberlain into the corner of the net.

Little was now being seen of the Watford attack and the hard-working Paul Dickov was only inches away from steering a pass from Deane past Chamberlain.

Then Chamberlain pulled off two superb saves in quick succession to flick over a close range shot from substitute Jordan Stewart and a point blank range header from Gerry Taggart.

Nationwide Division One results:

Burnley 1-3 Brighton

Coventry 2-1 Sheff Utd

Derby 3-0 Reading

Leicester 2-0 Watford

Millwall 0-6 Rotherham

Norwich 4-0 Grimsby

Portsmouth 2-0 Nottm Forest

Preston 1-2 Crystal Palace

Sheff Wed 0-0 Stoke

Walsall 0-0 Ipswich (1735)

Wimbledon 0-1 Gillingham