BBC News | FA CARLING PREMIERSHIP | Beckham cuts down Foxes

BBC News Online: Sport: Football: FA Carling Premiership

Saturday, 18 March, 2000, 19:04 GMT

Beckham cuts down Foxes

Leicester 0-2 Man Utd

David Beckham celebrated his new haircut with the opening goal from a trademark free kick at Filbert Street.

The close-cropped midfielder put the visitors ahead just after half an hour.

Dwight Yorke added the second in the final 10 minutes to ensure United moved seven points clear of Leeds at the top of the Premiership table.

The advantage could be cut back to four points if the Yorkshire side beat Wimbledon on Sunday.

But with their ability to win comfortably on days like these when they are not at their best, Manchester United's title defence looks like being anything but a close shave.

Beckham had arrived at the ground with a baseball cap covering his new haircut, news of which appeared in Saturday morning's newspapers.

Key moments
All eyes on Beckham's head before kick off
33: Midfielder does not disappoint with 25-yard free kick
Second half: Collymore comes closest for Leicester
83: Yorke seals the points

Another hat covered the almost-shaven head in the pre-match warm-up before the haircut was revealed to the world just before kick-off.

Thirty-three minutes later Frank Sinclair brought down Ryan Giggs just outside the Leicester penalty area.

Beckham stepped up to curl the ball around the wall just inside Tim Flowers' right-hand post.

The midfielder instantly raised his arms aloft to the battery of photographers who had come to picture the new look.

Leicester battled away in typical style throughout the game but were unable to puncture the United rearguard.

United made no changes from the side which had overpowered Fiorentina last Wednesday.

They seldom reached the same heights as they did at Old Trafford but were comfortable against a Leicester side missing the departed Emile Heskey.

The hosts enjoyed the bulk of the first half possession without ever threatening to hurt United.

Robbie Savage flicked on an early corner by Muzzy Izzet but no-one was able to apply the finishing touch.

Stan Collymore then sent a free kick high and wide from similar distance to Beckham's successful effort.

Roy Keane also got in an important clearing header as Leicester defender Gerry Taggart tried to get on the end of a Stefan Oakes free-kick.

But there was precious little to enthuse about before Beckham's moment of magic broke the deadlock.

Just after half-time Collymore sent a powerful 25-yard effort just over the bar.

The presence of Jaap Stam and Paul Scholes proved enough to distract him.

And although a Muzzy Izzet shot had to be blocked by Keane after a Bosnich error, it was United who provided the few incisive moments that remained.

Flowers was forced to beat out a powerful right-footed drive from Denis Irwin after he cut inside Elliott.

But the in-form Giggs was the creator as Yorke finally made sure of the points.

The Welshman went around Sinclair down the United left and sent over a low cross from the byline.

It went behind Elliott and Yorke scored from close range with the assistance of a slight Gerry Taggart deflection and a touch from Flowers.

Teams:

Leicester: Flowers, Sinclair, Taggart, Elliott, Guppy, Savage, Izzet, Lennon, Oakes, Collymore, Eadie. Subs: Gilchrist, Marshall, Arphexad, Impey, Cottee.

Man Utd: Bosnich, G. Neville, Irwin, Berg, Stam, Beckham, Scholes, Keane, Giggs, Cole, Yorke. Subs: Van Der Gouw, P. Neville, Sheringham, Solskjaer, Butt.

Referee: R Harris (Oxford)

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