CITY 4 LEICESTER CITY 1
League Division 1
23rd November 1974
attendance 31,628
scorers
City Tueart(1), Daniels(47 & 56), Bell(76)
Leicester Birchenall(14)
Ref Keith Style
City MacRae, Hammond, Donachie, Henson, Doyle, Oakes, Daniels, Bell, Marsh, Hartford, Tueart – sub Barnes(unused)
Leicester Wallington; Whitworth, Yates; Sammels, Munro, Cross, Weller, Earle, Worthington, Blrchenall, Glover – sub Waters(68)
…Despite City’s home record [8 wins and one draw) the away performances were causing concern and there had only been one goal in the previous three games. Mike Summerbee, scorer of two goals all season, was victim of the axe. Step forward Barney “the blaster” Daniels, brimming with belief after 6 goals in 9 reserve matches. The challenge couldn’t have been tougher, he was replacing a crowd favourite, and Summerbee was being dropped for the first time since joining City from Swindon Town in August 1955.
“More goals are needed,” demanded boss Tony Book. And Barney was paying attention.
Out went Summerbee and Colin Barrett with Asa Hartford returning from injury to fill the other vacancy. Anyone still at the turnstiles when the referee blew for the kick-off would have been very unlucky. Direct from the whistle. Phil Henson crossed to Dennis Tueart who volleyed the ball clinically past ‘keeper Mark Wallington. lt had taken FIFTEEN SECONDS.
Leicester refused to be upset. By the 14th minute they were level. Len Glover’s corner reached Alan Birchenall, who fired a drive from 20 yards and saw it deflect from Alan Oakes past home ‘keeper Keith MacRae. Now it really was a see-saw match, though the hosts looked the likelier to score.
The game stayed locked at 1-1 at the interval, but after half-time it was a different story. Barney, now tuning to the pace, took an important hand. This half also opened devastatingly, a pass by Colin Bell, virtually from the resumption, picked out Daniels and he rammed a strong cross-shot into the Leicester net.
The revival was getting into its stride. Bell and Hartford took a firm grip on midfield, Oakes and Mike Doyle throttled the Leicester attack and even Keith Weller’s inspirational touches as skipper couldn’t spark the visitors. So it was no surprise when City made it 3-1 after 56 minutes. The marksman, a delighted Daniels. An attempt by Rodney Marsh rebounded to Barney via a Leicester boot and he stabbed it in from close range.
Leicester tried Joe Waters in place of Graham Cross but when a 76th minute attack came unstuck they were plunged deeper in trouble. The Blues drove upfield, Tueart and Marsh weaved the pattern and Bell headed the fourth. Victory took City to the top of the First Division for the third time in six weeks.
From an article by John Maddocks published in the City programme 21st August 1985