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Leicester manager Nigel Pearson offered the best managerial rant of the season last night after his team lost 3-1 to Chelsea, after launched an attack on reporter Ian Baker, asking him whether he was "an ostrich" if his head was "flexible enough to get in the sand".
After Pearson spoke of “the amount of criticism and negativity [his players] have had to endure over the course of the season”, Baker asked him to specify what criticism and the following extraordinary exchange ensued in which Pearson repeatedly belittled the journalist.
What criticism are you talking about?
Have you been on holiday for six months? Have you been away for six months?
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson during his outburst (YouTube/ShivDes357)
I am not quite sure what specific criticism you are referring to?
I think you must have been either head in the clouds or away on holiday or reporting on a different team because if you don’t know the answer to that question your question is absolutely unbelievable the fact you do not understand where I am coming from. If you don’t know the answer to that question then I think you are an ostrich. Your head must be in the sand. Is your head in the sand? Are you flexible enough to get your head in the sand? My suspicion would be no.
Ian Baker tweeted after the incident:
The best memes
Show all 22 1 /22Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Kasper Schmeichel Very little he could have done about any of Chelsea’s goals, the Dane had precious little to do for long periods. 6
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Marcin Wasilewski Was found wanting in the pace stakes on occasion, with Willian and Eden Hazard sweeping down the flanks, but held firm for long periods. 7
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Robert Huth Forced off with an innocuous injury in the first half. Contained Didier Drogba well enough until his premature exit. 6
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Wes Morgan Often criticised for giving the ball away too often, the Foxes skipper was impressive this evening. Used his physicality to his advantage when required and distributed well. 7
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Paul Konchesky Perhaps surprisingly, Paul Konchesky has been known to provide Leicester with an attacking threat in recent weeks. He had to be more reserved this evening though. Put in a good shift. 7
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Marc Albrighton Grabbed his first goal for Leicester since leaving Aston Villa in the summer in some style. The winger has struggled to make Nigel Pearson’s team this season, but he was menacing throughout tonight. 8
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Andy King Had to be replaced by Matty James in the first half after picking up a knock. Like Huth’s injury, it seemed tame, but James performance admirably in his absence. 6
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Esteban Cambiasso There are few superlatives left to describe the Argentinian, the Leicester media team should leave out a thesaurus in the press box at the King Power Stadium. 8
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Danny Drinkwater It’s been a tough year for the former Manchester United midfielder. Crowned as Player of the Year last term Drinkwater has been a bit player so far this season. He was in fine, combative, form tonight. 7
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Jamie Vardy The wasp-like frontman was a typically tireless up front for Nigel Pearson’s men. Ran the lines, despite needing an injection in his foot just four days ago, and gave Leicester an unlikely target man. 7
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Leonardo Ulloa The Argentinian frontman continues to be an enigma. When he’s scoring, he’s a real menace but, without confidence, he can go missing on occasion. Tonight was a case of the latter. 6
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Petr Cech Made a superb point-blank save from Paul Konchesky in the first half while there was nothing the experienced shot-stopper could do to keep out Marc Albrighton’s effort. 7
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Branislav Ivanovic Unleashed a fearsome drive on Kasper Schmeichel’s goal early on and kept Leonardo Ulloa quiet for much of the match. Strong display. 7
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Gary Cahill Was on hand to make a pivotal block from Esteban Cambiasso in the opening forty-five minutes and stood up tall at set-plays. 7
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings John Terry The Blues’ warrior had a job on his hands tonight, with Jamie Vardy planning on running riot for the hosts. The former England captain, mind you, has faced meaner strikers than Vardy and it showed. Deserved his goal. 8
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Caesar Azpilicueta It was his slip which cost Chelsea the opening goal, allowing Albrighton to fire home, but it was an otherwise decent day’s work from the Spaniard. He won’t live that mistake down though. 5
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Ramires Lost his man, either Cambiasso or Konchesky at different stages of the game, all too easily and was regularly outmuscled by Danny Drinkwater in the centre. Appeared out of nowhere to smash home and put Leicester to bed. 7
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Nemanja Matic Hurried Chelsea on when their play seemed to be stagnating. The midfielder maestro was his usual impressive self. 7
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Willian When he elected to run at Leicester, the £30m winger caused serious problems for the likes of Morgan and Wasilewski. Was a real threat which Pearson’s men couldn’t handle. 7
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Cesc Fabregas A surprisingly anonymous display early on from the man Jose Mourinho has often turned to at times of need. It didn’t last long, however, as the former Arsenal man delivered an assured and meticulous performance in the second period. 7
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Eden Hazard The PFA Player of the Year always carries a threat – even when he is relatively absent like he was tonight. Whenever he did pick up the ball, he had the confidence to take on his marker. 6
Leicester 1 Chelsea 3 player ratings Didier Drogba With Cech and Terry behind him, Drogba completed the Chelsea old guard. He reminded everyone that he still has it by poking home to level the scores. 7
Pearson is holding another press conference today, reporters beware.
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