Leicester City edge Derby County 2-1 amid off-field tensions
Leicester City secured a 2-1 victory over Derby County with goals from Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Jordan James, who scored his seventh league goal of the season. Derby's Rhian Brewster equalised during the match, but it was not enough to extend their four-game unbeaten run.
The win leaves Leicester City four points shy of the Championship playoff zone ahead of their upcoming match against Sheffield United. However, the game was marred by unrest among the Leicester supporters, who began chanting against the club board about 15 minutes into the match, calling for the sacking of the board and the ousting of technical director Jon Rudkin.
Off the pitch, the club is grappling with financial issues, as non-player wages due on 19 December were deferred to New Year’s Eve following an 18 December email from interim Managing Director Kamonthip Netthanomsak. The club’s Christmas party was reportedly described as foul, contributing to the tense atmosphere.
Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has not attended recent games, and his calls for unity have been poorly received. The team also faced injury setbacks, missing Boubakary Soumaré before the match, with Hamza Choudhury (playing at right-back) and Aaron Ramsey sustaining injuries during the game.
Manager Martí Cifuentes has acknowledged dealing with legacy problems predating his appointment and highlighted the potential for a points deduction related to spending breaches from two years ago.
