Fans' joy as super Leicester City fell Nottingham Forest

From the moment the final whistle blew at the City Ground on December 5, all Leicester City fans were dreaming of this day.

The sun may have been shining then but it was a dark day for City as they suffered the humiliation of seeing their side outclassed by their East Midlands rivals.

For nearly three months, those City fans who worked alongside Forest supporters will have endured constant reminders of their side's humiliation.

However, what comes around goes around and the shoe is now firmly on the other foot after City atoned by putting wobbling Forest to the sword at a near-capacity Walkers Stadium.

For an hour there was very little evidence of the victory that was to come. Typically, it was a tight, scrappy but fully committed affair, although nine bookings were completely out of character with the game.

City fans may have been satisfied. After all, with an hour gone in Nottingham, they were 4-0 down.

But, once Bruno Berner swept home the opening goal from close range after outstanding work from the influential Richie Wellens, there appeared to be only one winner this time. City fans could start to taste a sweet victory.

When Paul Gallagher curled home a wonderful free-kick into the top corner 10 minutes later, the 5-1 became a distant memory. The record had almost been put straight.

It was a goal fit to grace any Premier League game and City can again dream of the possibility that they and Gallagher could be back in the top flight.

The Blue Army were again in raptures two minutes later when Andy King diverted Berner's shot past Lee Camp to give City a scoreline that re-addressed the balance.

After the game, City manager Nigel Pearson spoke of their results answering their critics.

Although he was possibly referring to any stick that may have come City's way during December, you will be hard-pushed to find many who had anything negative to say about City at the moment.

That defeat may have proved to be a catalyst for City.

It kept the unrealistic expectation that City were going to sweep through the division like they did League One in check.

It also refocused players and supporters on what is needed to be successful in the toughest league in the world.

To say it was a blessing in disguise may be too much, but it certainly has proved to be an important moment in the season.

There was a wobble in January with no League wins, but since then City have been gathering momentum.

To string a run of eight games without defeat together is impressive enough, but City have started to do it in style as well.

Goalscoring has been the problem this season and the loss of top-scorer Matty Fryatt to injury was a bitter blow but, with the reliance on Fryatt gone, several of his team-mates have stepped up to the plate.

Eight times in the last two home games Kasabian's Fire has been bursting out of the Tannoy at the Walkers Stadium, and a big part of that has to do with the form of Gallagher, who has triggered the club's musical goal celebration four times in those two games.

Wellens seems to have found his best form as well and he was the outstanding midfielder on the pitch.

The back-four, which endured a torturous day at the City Ground, was outstanding in recording its second consecutive clean sheet. The closest Forest came was a Robert Earnshaw header that cannoned back off the bar in the first half and, when they did create other opportunities, Jack Hobbs and Berner made wonderful blocks.

Hobbs is growing in stature and looks a class act at the moment, but special mention must also go to Wayne Brown, his central defensive partner, who endured a difficult afternoon in the first game.

He showed his character when he stepped up to face the media after that game when many would have hidden away.

He was on top form and his integrity was rewarded this time.

But, above all, it was a great day for the City fans, who can now look forward to the final two months of the season with great optimism – unlike after that day at the City Ground.