Top Premier League Goalscorers: Paul Dickov

Dickov joined the Foxes in February 2002 as Dave Bassett's men fought against relegation from the Premier League for the first time since 1995.

The former Manchester City forward was a useful addition to City's frontline, scoring four goals, but he was unable to prevent Leicester from slipping into the second tier.

However, a 20-goal haul in the old First Division, now the Championship, inspired the Foxes to promotion at the first time of asking under Micky Adams' management.

The majority of Dickov's top-flight goals for the Club, meanwhile, came in the 2003/04 campaign, as Adams' men once again battled against the drop.

Despite his first spell in Leicester coinciding with tough times, Dickov, nicknamed 'the pest' for his all-action foraging style, is remembered fondly by the Blue Army...

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The Scotland international wheels away after netting his first goal for City.

Leicester City 2 Blackburn Rovers 1
Filbert Street
Saturday 30 March, 2002

Leicester City's first win since 1 December, 2001 - a passage of time which included 16 matches - was inspired by Dickov's brace against Blackburn at Filbert Street at the end of March. The first came as Ian Walker's long ball forward was nodded on by Brian Deane into Dickov's path before the Scot sidestepped Brad Friedel in the Rovers net. His second, meanwhile, was a nicely-taken first-time effort after an incisive through ball from Robbie Savage, in front of the old Double Decker stand.

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Dickov was the second-last Foxes player to ever score at Filbert Street.

Leicester City 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1
Filbert Street
Saturday 11 May, 2002

Relegation had already been confirmed by the time Tottenham visited Filbert Street on the last day of the 2001/02 season, but City were buoyed by the fact they had not been beaten since Adams' appointment as the Club's permanent manager. That run continued, too, as Dickov and then Matt Piper netted the last two goals to ever be scored by Leicester players at their home of 111 years. Dickov would go on to score 20 goals during the following season as an instant return to the top flight was secured.

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Leicester got off to a flier in their first game back in the Premier League thanks to Dickov's penalty.

Leicester City 2 Southampton 2
King Power Stadium
Saturday 16 August, 2003

There was excitement in the air as City supporters headed to Filbert Way for the first Premier League match at the Club's new home - and the Foxes were 2-0 ahead inside just 10 minutes against the Saints, first through Dickov's well-placed penalty and then a Les Ferdinand header. Kevin Phillips and James Beattie, though, drew the visitors level in what was to become a familiar case of Leicester surrendering a lead late on in games throughout the 2003/04 season.

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The Scot registered a brace against Leeds in City's first win of 2003/04.

Leicester City 4 Leeds United 0
King Power Stadium
Monday 15 September, 2003

By some distance, this four-goal victory over Leeds was the highlight of Leicester's campaign. It's a game which will be remembered for a stunning volley from Lilian Nalis to open the scoring before a brace of goals almost identical to each other from Dickov. James Scowcroft's powerful header capped off a memorable night for the Foxes to secure their first win of the new season back in the top division.

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A goal against his former club sent Dickov and Leicester to another big win at Manchester City.

Manchester City 0 Leicester City 3
Etihad Stadium
Sunday 9 November, 2003

Dickov faced his former club in early November and marked the occasion by scoring in front of the fans who had once celebrated wildly as he netted against Gillingham in the Second Division Play-Offs in 1999. Jordan Stewart's curler put Leicester ahead and, when Sylvain Distin gave away a penalty, up stepped Dickov to convert from the penalty spot. On-loan striker Marcus Bent added a third for the Foxes.

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Dickov's sixth league goal of the season put his side ahead against Sir Bobby Robson's men.

Leicester City 1 Newcastle United 1
King Power Stadium
Friday 26 December, 2003

Adams' men sealed a point from their Boxing Day encounter with Newcastle, but in truth, as was the case on several occasions that season, it should have been all three. Dickov's instinctive finish on the edge of the area gave City a one-goal lead. However, in the 90th minute, Darren Ambrose levelled the scores for the visiting Magpies, keeping Leicester deep in a relegation battle. City ended the season having scored more goals than eight other sides, but their inability to keep the lead in games would cost them dearly. 

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Dickov's second completed a turnaround in the scoreline at Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough 3 Leicester City 3
Riverside Stadium
Saturday 17 January, 2004

That familiar trend of conceding late goals continued at Middlesbrough, with Leicester first coming from behind to lead 3-1 in the North East, before Massimo Maccarone's strike in the 89th minute, combined with a 90th-minute own goal from John Curtis, scuppered City once again. Dickov netted twice for the Foxes at Boro. The first seemingly came off the Scot's arm before evading Mark Schwarzer, while his second effort of the day was a smart finish at the far post.  

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City were cruelly denied a point at Leeds, despite another effort from Dickov against the Whites.

Leeds United 3 Leicester City 2
Elland Road
Monday 5 April, 2004

A helter-skelter game at Leeds ended in defeat for the Foxes, with Alan Smith netting an 86th-minute winner for the home side, despite Leicester coming back from two goals down. Michael Duberry and Mark Viduka put Leeds two goals to the good inside just 13 minutes, but back came City, first through Dickov's close-range finish, and then a fine solo strike from Muzzy Izzet restored parity. Leeds, though, took the three points through Smith, shortly before Viduka was also sent off for the three-time English champions.

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Dickov continued finding the net in a morale-boosting success over Portsmouth.

Leicester City 3 Portsmouth 1
King Power Stadium
Saturday 8 May, 2004

Relegation had been confirmed in a 2-2 draw at Charlton Athletic a week earlier, but that didn't stop City from securing a comfortable win against Portsmouth on home soil. An own goal from Matthew Taylor gave Adams' hosts the lead, which was added to by Dickov soon after, and while Nigel Quashie did get one back for Pompey, James Scowcroft nonetheless wrapped up the three points with 19 minutes to play.

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Arsenal were so nearly denied a winning conclusion to their remarkable 2003/04 season.

Arsenal 2 Leicester City 1
Highbury 
Saturday 15 May, 2004

The watching football world were stunned in the 26th minute on the final day as Dickov - wearing the captain's armband in Muzzy Izzet's absence - nodded Leicester in front at Higbury. Arsenal had gone the entirety of the 2003/04 campaign unbeaten and would receive the trophy at the end of the day. However, their enviable record was placed under very real threat by City - until Thierry Henry's penalty and then Patrick Vieira's 66th-minute effort sealed victory for Arsène Wenger's side.

Dickov's 15 goals in full