Kasey Keller frustrated Middlesbrough with a string of fine saves to earn
Leicester a creditable, if dour, goalless draw at the Riverside Stadium.
The USA international saved superbly from Colin Cooper, Brian Deane and
Hamilton Ricard to gain the Foxes another good result in the north-east
following the midweek Worthington Cup semi-final win at Sunderland.
But the home side must also look to themselves for the reasons they failed to
break a run which has seen them without a win since the 3-2 victory at
Manchester United on December 19.
The home side were unable to string together more than four consecutive passes
as Leicester, without their midfield engine room of Neil Lennon and Muzzy Isset
as well as striker Emile Heskey, held firm.
But the first half had been all about Keller against Middlesbrough.
Opportunities were rare but, at any given time, the USA international was
ready and waiting.
Cooper was first to test the Leicester goalkeeper after just 10 minutes, but
Keller saved well from the defender's 25-yard drive.
Mark Schwarzer also enjoyed a little piece of the action when he was forced
into a good save by Gerry Taggart's header a minute later.
As it was at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, the Foxes' defence was holding
firm with Ricard continually forced wide.
In the meantime, Garry Parker tried his luck from distance in the 22nd minute
from 20 yards, but the former Aston Villa man's strike flew high over
Schwarzer's crossbar.
A lack of communication prevented either Deane or Gary Pallister making the
most of an Andy Townsend free-kick, and the ball grazed the former Leeds
striker's head instead of bulging the net.
Middlesbrough full-backs Curtis Fleming and Dean Gordon combined in the 26th
minute to set up Deane on the edge of the area, but the striker's
well-intentioned shot was inches wide.
On the half-hour Keller's agility was fully tested when he had to palm away a
Cooper header from Gascoigne's free-kick as he fell backwards.
A grateful defender eventually cleared off his own line.
Then in the 32nd minute Keller was again the hero.
Deane set Ricard loose into the area, and the Colombian pushed past Pontus
Kaamark and struck firmly. But Keller stuck out his legs to deny the striker his
14th goal of the season.
Foxes captain Steve Walsh became the first booking of the afternoon in the
35th minute after a touchline altercation with Gianluca Festa.
Robbie Mustoe joined him in the book six minutes later for a poor challenge on
Theo Zagorakis.
Two minutes from the break, Keller was swift to deny Mustoe after a one-two
with Ricard had afforded the youngster space and time in the area.
The midfielder struck a perfect shot from 12 yards, but Keller saved well low
to his left.
Disturbed by his side's lack of progress, Leicester manager Martin O'Neill
made a tactical switch at the start of the second period which almost paid
dividends.
Makeshift striker Matt Elliott reverted to his defensive duties, with Walsh
moving up front.
Four minutes into the second half, Walsh connected with a Zagorakis cross but
could not guide his header goalwards.
Two minutes later, Gascoigne broke through three Leicester players and in on
goal. But the effort of his 25-yard dash appeared to have taken the wind out of
his sails, and Keller comfortably collected his weak strike.
Gordon was required to save the day for Middlesbrough in the 67th minute with
a last-ditch tackle on substitute Stuart Campbell after a great ball from Tony
Cottee.
Seconds later, Keller again used quick thinking after a mix-up between Andy
Impey and Taggart left Deane free from six yards.
The Leicester goalkeeper was swift off his line and saved the day - again -
with his legs.
Bryan Robson urged his side further forward and threw on Phil Stamp and Mikkel
Beck in place of Mustoe and Deane in the 75th minute.
But a resilient Leicester side are a frustrating experience for any home team
and they cruised to their third consecutive Premier League clean sheet away from
Filbert Street.
Teams:
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Fleming, Festa, Cooper, Pallister,
Gordon, Mustoe (Stamp 75), Gascoigne, Townsend, Deane (Beck 75),
Ricard.
Subs Not Used: Vickers, Beresford, Maddison.
Booked: Mustoe, Stamp, Festa.
Leicester: Keller, Kaamark, Taggart, Walsh (Fenton 90),
Ullathorne, Impey, Zagorakis, Parker (Campbell 52), Guppy,
Cottee, Elliott.
Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Oakes, Wilson.
Booked: Walsh, Taggart, Ullathorne.
Att: 34,631
Ref: D Gallagher (Banbury).
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