With the chasing pack closing in, the Foxes badly needed a victory in the north-east and they secured it thanks to Jamie Vardy’s 13th-minute header. A clean sheet was also just what Maresca wanted after the recent blip.
“It’s an important win,” admitted Maresca, “especially after three defeats in a row. Sometimes you have to win games in an ugly way.
“(In the) first half we were quite good. In the second half we suffered, but, in this moment, the win is so important.”
It was just as well Leicester won as their closest rivals also picked up three points. Second-placed Ipswich showed their resilience to come from behind twice in the second half to beat Bristol City at the death in a Portman Road thriller.
Anis Mehmeti (54 mins) and Tommy Conway (77) gave the visiting Robins the lead, but the Tractor Boys roared back with goals from Ali Al-Hamadi (62) – who also saw an 86th-minute penalty saved by Max O’Leary - Conor Chaplin (80) and Leif Davis (89).
Believing
Esta historia es de la edición March 10, 2024 de The Football League Paper.
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Esta historia es de la edición March 10, 2024 de The Football League Paper.
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SCHUEY TIPPED FOR PILGRIMS RETURN
STEVEN Schumacher is the odds-on favourite to take over at Plymouth Argyle following the departure of Wayne Rooney.
MAT'S SUPER SADDLERS GO MARCHING ON
DELIGHTED Walsall boss Mat Sadler praised his troops for an 'incredible victory' after the runaway leaders came from behind to stun Notts County.
CAM'S GOAL LEAVES MIKE FEELING BLUE
CARLISLE manager Mike Williamson said he could understand the frustration of the traveling fans after his side were booed off following a narrow defeat to Tranmere at Prenton Park.
MOORE WANTS SOME MORE
DARREN Moore hopes the win at promotion rivals Doncaster Rovers will prove to be a turning point for his Port Vale side.
SHRIMPS BID TO STIR THINGS UP
DEREK Adams wants his Morecambe side to build on a 'really big result' against Tranmere on New Year's Day when they visit Newport this afternoon.
'Don't blame this all on Freddie'
PAUL Heckingbottom leaped to the defence of Freddie Woodman after the Preston goalkeeper's mistake so nearly resulted in defeat against Oxford.
FORSON DOUBLE STUNS SKY BLUES
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup told goal hero Amankwah Forson to enjoy the moment after the substitute scored twice in injury-time to earn his side a scarcely believable win over Coventry City.
MCNALLY FIRES IN AS ROBINS FLY HIGH
LIAM Manning predicted a quiet transfer window in terms of signings after seeing his improving Bristol City side move up to eighth in the table - just three points off the playoff zone.
Danny downcast at wasteful Owls
FRUSTRATED Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl admitted he was \"more disappointed than happy\" after watching his side waste a succession of first-half chances before scraping a draw against Millwall.
ALLEN NO ORDINARY JOE, SAYS WILLIAMS
SWANSEA boss Luke Williams paid tribute to supersub Joe Allen after his injury-time goal claimed a point against West Bromwich Albion.
