Classic Encounter: King's Early Strike Sinks Sheffield United
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers is scheduled to take his talented squad to Bramall Lane on Saturday (3pm BST kick-off) to tackle Chris Wilder's newly-promoted Blades outfit.
While City have faced Sheffield United on two occasions since in cup competitions, LCFC.com continues its reflective look on memorable clashes with our 2019/20 opposition by rewinding eight years...
Sheffield United 0 Leicester City 1
Tuesday 1 February, 2011
Championship
Bramall Lane
King 4'
Leicester City sealed a fourth win in five matches under Sven-Gören Eriksson with a 1-0 success at Sheffield United to continue their climb up the Championship table on Tuesday 1 February, 2011.
The Foxes headed into the encounter on the back of victories over Hull City, Swansea City and Millwall, as well as a draw at Preston North End, as Eriksson's side continued their late bid for a play-off berth.
Within just four minutes of the kick-off, Academy graduate Andy King opened the scoring for City by lifting the ball over Blades goalkeeper Steve Simonsen in stylish fashion in South Yorkshire.
Leicester shot-stopper Chris Weale, meanwhile, was in superb form for the visitors, making a string of impressive saves to help inspire his side to an important three points against struggling United.
With former Foxes manager Micky Adams in the home dugout, the Blades were battling to avoid relegation to League 1 and were left in 22nd-place in the Championship standings following this result.
The home side were denied an equaliser as Weale tipped over a venomous Nick Montgomerie strike, while Lee Williamson's free-kick also hit the Leicester post and former Fox Marcus Bent fired over from six yards.
Sheffield United were frustrated for long periods by a defensive four which included Patrick van Aanholt, Kyle Naughton, Sol Bamba and Ben Mee. Home defender Elian Parrino, meanwhile, had a late header cleared off the line.
City's excellent winter form continued afterwards, as Eriksson's men defeated Barnsley, Derby County and Bristol City. However, a late stutter meant that Leicester finished the campaign in 10th-place, eight points adrift of sixth-place.
The following summer, the Club embarked on a recruitment drive, signing Kasper Schmeichel, Lee Peltier, Neil Danns, Sean St Ledger, Matt Mills, David Nugent, Paul Konchesky, John Paintsil, Michael Ball and Jermaine Beckford.
However, despite an opening day win at Coventry City, the Foxes struggled to mount a sustained promotion challenge and Eriksson was eventually replaced by Nigel Pearson, returning to the Club for a second spell.