Theo Zagorakis netted his first-ever goal for Leicester to bring an end to
Barnsley's Premiership fairytale.
Danny Wilson's side arrived at Filbert Street knowing that only a victory
would keep alive their hopes of pulling off the great escape for at least
another week.
But the £750,000 signing from PAOK Salonika made sure it was a true Greek
tragedy for the Tykes as he pounced on the loose ball to find an empty net after
57 minutes.
The Yorkshire side therefore made an instant return to the First Division but
not before making thousands of new friends on the way, and at least their loyal
fans can go out in style at home to Manchester United.
Before kick-off there was a unique example of how Barnsley have become most
fans second favourite side as the faithful travelling support were warmly
applauded by their opposite numbers.
But the omens had not been good from the start, Barnsley had conceded goals in
all but one of their last 18 games and since the turn of December Leicester had
lost only one match at home and Barnsley won once away from Oakwell.
The Barnsley faithful sang their anthem 'It's Just Like Watching Brazil and
for once they were right, but unfortunately it was because the world champions
also lost 1-0 this week.
For much of a curiously subdued game the visitors had more than held their own
and goalkeeper David Watson did not have a save to make in the first-half.
He had Scott Jones primarily to thank for that as the defender made a last
ditch interception to prevent the lively Tony Cottee from getting a shot on
target at the near post.
Cottee, starting only because Pontus Kaamark injured himself in the warm-up,
was proving to be a real handful to the Barnsley defence, Watson had to be quick
off his line to foil Cottee from Neil Lennon's delicate chip.
And the former West Ham striker also went close with a spectacular overhead
kick after Marshall and Elliott had headed on Guppy's free-kick.
At the other end it took Barnsley until the 43rd minute to force a save from
Kasey Keller, who comfortably held Jan Aage Fjortoft's spectacular effort.
Lennon then was just a yard out with a low 20-yard drive but Barnsley went in
at half-time still hopeful of snatching a winner.
Despite everything that was at stake - Leicester still chasing a UEFA Cupplace
- the game was surprisingly subdued.
Both sides seemed to have defence as their priority but it was only a matter
of time before Barnsley had to begin to take chances and throw men forward.
De Zeeuw was then booked for a foul on Heskey but City wasted the free-kick
and then an extraordinary opportunity.
Five players beat the offside trap from Savage's pass but Heskey failed to
realise the amount of time and space he had and headed weakly at Watson.
But Barnsley failed to heed the warning and just two minutes later they went a
goal behind after an excellent City move.
Izzet found Guppy in space on the left flank an although Watson managed to
palm out his low cross, Zagorakis was on hand to slot into the unguarded net for
his first goal for the club.
That signalled the start of an all-out policy of attack, Bosancic coming on
for Tinkler and Martin Bullock replacing Jones.
Fjortoft finally got the better of Elliott for once on 65 minutes with a fine
turn in the area but blasted over from 15 yards.
Barnsley threw everyone forward and should have been caught on the break, only
Adie Moses was in his own half when Lennon and substitute Graham Fenton broke
but Lennon's ball was behind his team-mate and the chance was gone.
The visitors' faint hopes were then completely dashed when Bosancic wassent
off after 85 minutes.
The substitute had been booked 13 minutes earlier and his foul on Zagorakis
earned him another yellow and then red from referee Gallagher.
Teams:
Leicester: Keller, Savage, Guppy, Walsh, Elliott,
Cottee (Fenton 83), Izzet, Lennon, Zagorakis, Marshall, Heskey.
Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Campbell, Wilson.
Goals: Zagorakis 57.
Barnsley: Watson, Eaden, Moses, De Zeeuw, Redfearn, Marcelle,
Jones (Bullock 59), Tinkler (Bosancic 56), Barnard, Ward,
Fjortoft (Liddell 69).
Subs Not Used: Sheridan, Leese.
Sent Off: Bosancic (85).
Booked: Barnard, De Zeeuw, Redfearn.
(Barnsley relegated to Nationwide Division One)
Att: 21,293
Ref: D J Gallagher (Banbury).
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