Top Premier League Goalscorers: Muzzy Izzet

After helping the Foxes win promotion during his first season at Filbert Street, initially on loan, Izzet joined Martin O'Neill's men on a permanent basis in time for their top-flight return in 1996.

Izzet represented the Club in the Premier League in seven of his eight full campaigns in Leicester, scoring 33 goals in the top tier, placing him in joint-third place in the stats charts alongside Emile Heskey.

It wasn't just the Turkey international's goals which endeared him to the Blue Army though. His loyalty, committed playing style and the key role he played in two League Cup wins makes him a Foxes legend.

As LCFC TV continues to chronicle the Club's top-10 all-time highest Premier League goalscorers, we remember some of Izzet's best - or most memorable - top-flight efforts in Leicester's colours...

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Fresh from helping City win the League Cup in 1997, Izzet was becoming known for incredible moments in blue.

Leicester City 1 Crystal Palace 1
Filbert Street
Saturday 6 December, 1997

Not only was Izzet's strike against Palace a crucial one for the Foxes - securing a point in the 90th minute of a tense clash with the Eagles - but it was also an early example of his exceptional talent. Still a youngster, the central midfielder collected Neil Lennon's short corner, turned inside his man, and curled a cute effort into the top corner, leaving Palace 'keeper Kevin Miller with no chance.

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Not only a scorer of fine goals with his feet, Izzet's header at Derby was one of four nodded efforts that day.

Derby County 0 Leicester City 4
Pride Park
Sunday 26 April, 1998

Just 120 seconds had passed in Derby and Leicester were two goals up. Emile Heskey's early header had put Martin O'Neill's side ahead, only for Izzet to double the lead a minute later. Stunningly, another headed effort from Heskey - and Ian Marshall too - had City racing into a four-goal lead at Pride Park inside just 15 minutes. While the visitors couldn't extend their lead further, it was a vintage afternoon for the Blue Army.

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Izzet wheels away in delight after scoring a goal some say persuaded O'Neill to stay at Leicester.

Leicester City 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1
Filbert Street
Monday 19 October, 1998

Speculation was rife ahead of the visit of Spurs in October 1998 that Foxes manager Martin O'Neill was set to leave Filbert Street and join Leeds United. The Northern Irishman was held as one of the best coaches in the country - and Leicester didn't want to lose him. With the home fans unfurling banners reading 'Don't Go Martin!' Izzet's super volley, five minutes from time, sealed a big three points.

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City's No.6 celebrates after scoring what seemed to be a late winner.

Leicester City 2 Chelsea 2 
Filbert Street 
Saturday 14 August, 1999

A fraught encounter with the Blues edged into the 89th minute with the scores level - after visiting midfielder Dennis Wise levelled Emile Heskey's opener. Had it not been for a last-minute own goal from Frank Sinclair, Izzet's late strike could well have secured a victory over his former employers, but it will nonetheless have been a sweet moment against the club who let him go three years previously. 

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A vital three points were booked at Spurs, courtesy of Izzet's brace.

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Leicester City 3
White Hart Lane
Sunday 3 October, 1999

Izzet was in the goalscoring form of his life early on in the 1999/00 season, arguably his best campaign at the Club. He took his tally up to seven in the capital on 3 October, too, following up a first-half penalty with a late, match-winning header - after another strike from defender Gerry Taggart - to propel the Foxes up the Premier League's top half standings. 

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Izzet's opening goal was followed up by Stan Collymore for City.

Chelsea 0 Leicester City 2
Stamford Bridge
Sunday 17 September, 2000

Following the departure of Martin O'Neill in the summer of 2000, to join Scottish giants Celtic, Leicester looked to former Gillingham manager Peter Taylor. His early weeks in charge could hardly have gone any better, with the Foxes on one occasion even sitting atop of the Premier League, and this win at Chelsea - aided by Izzet's eighth-minute header - continued their excellent form.

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A brilliant long-range effort against Derby kept City just five points adrift of leaders Manchester United.

Leicester City 2 Derby County 1
Filbert Street 
Saturday 28 October, 2000

Consecutive defeats by Manchester United and Liverpool threatened to bring City back to earth with a bump and those fears increased when Rory Delap put bottom club Derby County ahead at Filbert Street. However, Leicester got back on track, thanks to a long-distance half-volley from their midfield dynamo, before Arnar Gunnlaugsson netted a goal which left the Foxes third in the table after 11 games.

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A late penalty from Izzet settled a dramatic encounter across the East Midlands.

Derby County 2 Leicester City 3
Pride Park
Saturday 15 September, 2001

City's situation had worsened by the time they faced the Rams again in September 2001. Peter Taylor was under significant pressure and City were in the bottom three after conceding nine goals across two defeats by Bolton Wanderers and Arsenal. A helter-skelter clash at Derby, though, ended in joy as Izzet stepped up to score a controversial last-ditch penalty for the Foxes, securing their first win of 2001/02.

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The Turkey star bowed out in the goalscoring stakes for Leicester with a wonderful strike at Leeds.

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

Izzet stuck with Leicester through relegation to the First Division during the final season at Filbert Street - and was rewarded by promotion back to the Premier League a year later. Now under Micky Adams' guidance, City were struggling to preserve their top-flight status once more and suffered another defeat at Leeds in April 2004. Izzet's fine solo effort in Yorkshire, though, turned out to be his last for the Club.

Izzet's 33 Premier League goals in full