Kasper Schemichel made a world class save as Leicester City reignited their automatic promotion challenge with a 3-0 home win over Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday.
With the match evenly poised at 0-0, Foxes goalkeeper Schmeichel brought the majority of the King Power Stadium to its feet after 24 minutes.
When a corner was only cleared as far as the crescent on the edge of the box, Morten Gamst Pedersen struck a volley that took a deflection and looked like wrong-footing Schmeichel.
The Danish goalkeeper, though, managed to change direction in mid-air and scoop the ball over the bar with his right hand, showing a flair for showmanship that his father also possessed in his playing days.
Leicester went on to win the match 3-0 thanks to goals from Chris Wood, Harry Kane and Andy King.
And the importance of a stunning first-half save from the 26-year-old was highlighted by Leicester boss Nigel Pearson.
He said: "It was a fantastic save, and at a key time.
"The first goal in any game is always very important and for him to make that save at that point is clearly very important for us.
"Sometimes you notice goalkeepers who have a lot to do, but I'd rather have a goalkeeper who has little to do but when he does have something to do he does it well."
Asked if he could remember a better save, Pearson added: "No, not really. It was a very good save. He was going the wrong way and showed a lot of agility and reaction."
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| Kasper Schemichel produced a wonder save to deny Morten Gamst Pedersen Photo: YouTube |
With the match evenly poised at 0-0, Foxes goalkeeper Schmeichel brought the majority of the King Power Stadium to its feet after 24 minutes.
When a corner was only cleared as far as the crescent on the edge of the box, Morten Gamst Pedersen struck a volley that took a deflection and looked like wrong-footing Schmeichel.
The Danish goalkeeper, though, managed to change direction in mid-air and scoop the ball over the bar with his right hand, showing a flair for showmanship that his father also possessed in his playing days.
Leicester went on to win the match 3-0 thanks to goals from Chris Wood, Harry Kane and Andy King.
And the importance of a stunning first-half save from the 26-year-old was highlighted by Leicester boss Nigel Pearson.
He said: "It was a fantastic save, and at a key time.
"The first goal in any game is always very important and for him to make that save at that point is clearly very important for us.
"Sometimes you notice goalkeepers who have a lot to do, but I'd rather have a goalkeeper who has little to do but when he does have something to do he does it well."
Asked if he could remember a better save, Pearson added: "No, not really. It was a very good save. He was going the wrong way and showed a lot of agility and reaction."
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