PEARSON: BECKFORD NEEDS LEAGUE GOALS

Post-match reaction to Leicester's 2-0 victory over Swindon.

Last Updated: 28/01/12 at 19:08 Post Comment

Paul Caddis and Lloyd Dyer challenge for the ball

Paul Caddis and Lloyd Dyer challenge for the ball

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson called on Jermaine Beckford to transfer his FA Cup goalscoring exploits to the npower Championship after the striker hit both goals in today's 2-0 victory against Swindon.

The striker was on hand to fire home in either half for the the Foxes, who had to rely on a string of fine saves by Kasper Schmeichel to keep the battling Robins at bay.

Beckford scored a hat-trick in Leicester's third-round replay win against Nottingham Forest and has now notched 14 goals in 16 appearances in the competition.

But league goals remain hard to come by for the former Leeds and Everton striker, and Pearson said: "We want to see him transfer his goals into the league because the league remains the elusive conundrum in trying to get some consistency.

"We've had two games in the FA Cup and he's scored five goals, so he's okay. In the last two or three games he has improved. He's been getting into some good positions and is scoring well."

Pearson, who revealed Beckford was substituted in the second half as a precaution against a tight hamstring, praised Swindon for their vibrant first-half performance.

"It was all about getting through to the next round," he said. "They played very well in the first half when they caused us a few problems, but in the second half we were quite comfortable.

"It was going to be a tight game but ultimately in the second half we were very comfortable. Credit to them, they came here and played good football and with spirit and it's easy to see why they've caused teams problems."

Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio thought Leicester defender Paul Konchesky should have been sent off for a heavy tackle which left Simon Ferry needing lengthy treatment to an injured knee.

The Italian said: "It was clear it was a red card. It was a bad tackle. The referee made a mistake. The foot on the leg was very high."

Di Canio praised his side for the way they fought back after conceding an early goal, saying: "We started very shy and then started to play more freely and had chances to draw level.

"The second half was more difficult after their second goal. We lost a bit of belief and energy.

"In general we have to be proud of the players and the fans who really tried to encourage the players."

Beckford's first goal arrived in the fourth minute when he drove home from 12 yards after latching on to City skipper Matt Mills' cross.

Swindon were denied an equaliser when Schmeichel reacted smartly to push away Alan Connell's close-range header and again when the City keeper was forced to tip over a fierce shot from the same player after 30 minutes.

Mills had to dive in bravely five minutes before the break to block Matt Ritchie's goal-bound shot as Swindon - urged on by nearly 4,000 travelling fans - continued to press.

There was controversy in first-half stoppage time when Konchesky escaped with a yellow card for a lunging tackle on Ferry.

Schmeichel came to Leicester's rescue again when he was at full stretch to keep out the resultant 35-yard free-kick from Alessandro Cibocchi.

Swindon's challenge faded after Beckford grabbed his second on 53 minutes when he swept home from 10 yards after Paul Gallagher's cross was only half cleared by Paul Caddis.

Related News

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

T

here has only been 3 players who made me hold my breath in dread when they picked the ball up anywhere near our penalty area...in their prime Scholes and Giggs... and always Drogba. Awesome player who on his day was the best striker in the world in my opinion.

gunner14
Farewell Big, Brutal, Big-Balled B**tard

I

remember him scoring a 25-yarder, either the season just gone or the one before, against Bolton at the Reebok. I've never seen a ball hit that hard before in my entire life. You could almost feel the shockwave from his foot contacting it 40 yards away in the stands. Didier Droga. You might not have loved him, but you just had to be in awe of him.

jon_bwfc
Farewell Big, Brutal, Big-Balled B**tard

E

den Hazard, def. - 1) that girl in a club who makes eyes at you all night, who allows you to buy her a drink and walk her home arm in arm, who then gives you a suggestive kiss on her doorstep before declaring how tired she is and how she has to be up early the next day. 2) A cock tease.

cramp
Hazard 'terms agreed' with trio

Footer 365

Chelsea interested in Hulk

Porto striker Hulk is attracting interest from Chelsea and four other Premier League teams, according to his agent.

Parker trains despite injury

England midfielder Scott Parker took part in the opening training session of the Roy Hodgson era in Manchester on Wednesday.

Bad-boy Barton's bad news

After Joey Barton was on Wednesday banned for 12 matches and fined £75,000, TEAMtalk takes a look at the other incidents in Barton's career.

Mail Box

Kean - Lost It, & Other Hair Related Choices

The heat may well have got to one chap, who has come up with a few players/managers whose hair reflects their playing style. That, and the man who tamed Drogba...

Paying Tribute To Didier 'Beast' Drogba

He will be missed by Chelsea but also by other fans who had no choice but to stand back and admire. Plus, mails on Liverpool, Tottenham and the stout Irish defence...

© 2012 365 Media Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved