The Foxes were still not looking like a settled side at all, this week missing Dabizas due to a clause in his free transfer that meant he couldn't play against his old club. Muzzy still out too, and a couple of other changes didn't really install too much confidence when facing a team 6th in the table. At least Dickov was back and Sir Les was on the bench.

The in-form Laurent Robert was missing for Newcastle thank goodness. He's been great in our fantasy team this season but we were gald to see he wasn't in the line up against Leicester!

After the 5-0 drubbing last week City started ok and looked the stronger team in the first half hour. Some half decent attacking play set up a few chances. Dickov's return was a welcome relief as he battled for the ball and held off defenders. Gupps got a couple of crosses in. It wasn't looking too bad. Steve Dunn didn't do us any favours though turning down a shout for a penalty. Replays showed a definite case for handball.

On the negative side Marcus Bent looked like he couldn't be arsed and didn't chase any balls. Duff game indeed.

Newcastle then started to contain us and stopped any creative play we may have been vaguely attempting. They came a lot stronger and started to have more chances on goal. Ameobi put a header wide and Dyer forced a save from Ian Walker.

Rubbish defending from City after half an hour gave Newcastle the lead, a little against the run of play. Given hoofed the ball up field from a goal kick. Shearer flicked it on as Scimeca stood and blew any attempt at a tackle, and Impey, not some fans favourite to say the least, for some reason headed the ball across his own penalty area. Ameobi struck past the diving Walker.

City fans were fearing the worst 5 minutes later as we went 2-0 down and another 5-0 scoreline looked to be on the cards. Big bum Bernard put in a nice cross which Shearer couldn't quite connect with. Under no real pressure Gerry Taggart lashed at the ball and sliced it backwards under his own crossbar. It bounced down onto the line and Walker grabbed it and pulled it out. Confusion reigned for a minute as no-one knew whether the goal had been given. It was. Replays showed it was well over the line. Taxi for Taggart. Back to Stoke.

City at least didn't fall apart completely this time and held it at 2-0 until into the second half. Then the defence again went to sleep as Jenas headed home unchallenged from a Shearer cross.

Micky Adams took off Impey and put on Frank Sinclair, who soon had our hearts in our mouths when he challenged Taggs for Soccer am's "Taxi for...", totally mis-kicking a ball in the penalty area and creating a farcical situation that we luckily escaped from as Shearer eventually put it just wide. Ho ho, good old Frank eh? You have to laugh. or you'd cry.

Micky then put on Sir Les and Jordan Stewart for Gupps and Scowy. Sir Les got a standing ovation from the Newcastle crowd. It changed the game. Sir Les held up the ball and created all sorts of problems for the Newcastle midfield and defence straight away. Shame Bent was still playing like a muppet.

City fans cringed as Sir Bobby brought on Craig Bellamy but at least it meant Shearer couldn't score against us for a change. Michael Bridges also came on for Newcastle. The Magpies should have made it 4 but Bellamy and Bridges got in the way of each other and Bridges decided he wanted a taxi too. Plenty of contestants this week.

City didn't give up and with 10 minutes to go a lovely cross from Stewart found Sir Les who headed home to at least mean we scored a goal. Most of the Toon Army gave him some applause as they knew they'd already won.

On the plus side...we scored one and didn't totally capitualte and we didn't concede at the end. And the other teams at the bottom lost too. 3 points against bolton and we'll still be ok.

* Unfortunately we still could.