Nalis Stunner Puts City On Course For Leeds Triumph
Ahead of the 2pm GMT kick-off at King Power Stadium, LCFC.com recalls the last top-flight meeting with Leeds to take place on Filbert Way - and it was a memorable one for the Blue Army.
Leicester City 4 Leeds United 0
Monday 15 September, 2003
Premier League
King Power Stadium
Leicester had been promoted from the First Division at the end of 2002/03, but by mid September, were still searching for their maiden win back in the Premier League.
City's first victory of the season would come at home to Leeds United, as the Foxes swept the visitors aside to move above them in the top-flight standings.
Leicester went into the game unbeaten at home thanks to draws against Southampton and Middlesbrough, but had lost both games on their travels, to Chelsea and Aston Villa.
The hosts were in the ascendancy from the off against Micky Adams' outfit and could have taken the lead inside 90 seconds when James Scowcroft's header was clawed away by Paul Robinson.
Gerry Taggart also tested the Leeds 'keeper with a strike that, somehow, was deflected over, before Scowcroft again went close with another header.
The deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion by Lilian Nalis, scoring his first goal for the Club in the process. The Frenchman hit a sweetly struck left-footed volley from outside the area that finally had Robinson beaten in some style.
A second came almost immediately as Paul Dickov chested down Marcus Bent's flick on and expertly volleyed into the bottom corner.
On loan Ipswich Town striker Bent was a constant threat, striking wide and then being pulled back when through on goal by Roque Júnior, who escaped with a yellow card.
Taggart's header then had to be saved by Robinson, while Thatcher hit the bar as the pressure continued from Adams' men.
Dickov grabbed his second of the night - and third of the season - with eight minutes to play, finding space to turn onto his left and curl the ball into the far corner to put the game beyond doubt.
Scowcroft added the fourth in stoppage time, nodding in Muzzy Izzet's free-kick from close range to lift City up into 11th position in the table.
Leicester manager Adams said after the game: "We've set a level of performance I'm delighted with. I would have taken any margin of victory before the game, never mind that one. That first win is always important."
Although both teams were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the campaign, this is a game that lives long in the memory for Foxes fans.
City: Walker; Sinclair, Thatcher, Taggart, Curtis; Nalis, Hignett (Stewart 77'), Izzet (c), Scowcroft; Dickov (Impey 86'), Bent (Deane 75').
Subs not used: Coyne, Howey.
Goals: Nalis 20', Dickov 23', 82', Scowcroft 90'.