It wasn't quite Bristol Rovers away, we actually played better at the Walkers Stadium!
However, Matt Fryatt, this week's Ricky Lambert, (who I see could be off to Bolton), and the player Clarkey was going to deal with, made Leicester City history when he became the first Foxes' player to hit 20 goals before Christmas since Derek Dougan in 1966.
The prolific striker then went on to complete back-to-back hat-tricks following the three goals that he struck against Dagenham and Redbridge in the FA Cup last weekend.
City's first chance arrived on five minutes when skipper Matty Oakley headed Kerrea Gilbert's cross narrowly wide.
But there was to be no reprieve for Southend on six minutes when Alex Revell gave the ball away on the edge of the Foxes area, the ball swept to the other end and, who else, Fryatt took Oakley's pass in his stride, cut inside Adam Barrett, before he beat the keeper with a low angled drive from 14 yards.
Southend almost equalised with what was to be their best chance of the game on 15 minutes when Simon Francis crossed the near post where Revell fired just over from close range.
But it was City who continued to dominate with Lloyd Dyer spurning a chance on 25 minutes when he fired a free-kick straight at the keeper after Peter Clarke had fouled Steven Howard on the edge of the area.
Fryatt was denied what seemed a certain second goal on 35 minutes when Captain Adam dived in to block the striker's shot from six yards.
After the break, Leicester were relieved to clear their lines when David Martin spilled a Kevin Betsy drive before Fryatt failed to connect with Gilbert's far-post cross.
Steve Mildenhall came to Southend's rescue when he used his feet to keep out a fierce shot from substitute Mark Davies before Fryatt drove narrowly over from 20 yards.
But there was no denying Fryatt on 76 minutes when he latched onto a Howard flick-on and left Barrett on the floor before beating Mildenhall comprehensively from 14 yards.
And Fryatt had his hat-trick on 80 minutes when he confidently stroked home a penalty after Clarke had handled inside the area. Maybe a touch harsh but Blues brave resistance finally came to an end.
Five minutes from the end, Fryatt made way for Paul Dickov to a standing ovation before Leicester went on to complete their sixth home win on the trot and leave Blues, who haven't tasted victory in the league since beating Leeds on October 28, with a must win game against Huddersfield next week.
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