Tom Cannon scored twice – his first goals for Leicester City – as they resoundingly beat Huddersfield Town to move 10 points clear at the top of the Championship table.
The young striker, signed from Everton during the summer and making his first Foxes start, opened the scoring five minutes before half-time.
Ricardo Pereira doubled Leicester’s lead early in the second half and Cannon netted again just before Michal Helik pulled a goal back for the visitors.
Stephy Mavididi restored the three-goal cushion with a deflected free-kick on 77 minutes as Leicester claimed an eighth win from their past 10 games.
The exciting Cannon, who netted eight goals on loan at Preston last season, opened the scoring with a thumping half-volley from near the edge of the penalty area.
Leicester took total control after the interval, with Pereira heading in a cross from fellow full-back James Justin and Cannon slotting in the third after being put through by Harry Winks.
Huddersfield were given some hope when the hosts failed to clear a corner and Helik was able to score from close range.
But Mavididi’s ninth goal of the season sealed another win for Leicester, who remain firmly on course for promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
They also remain on track to beat the Championship record of 106 points, set by Reading in 2006, with Enzo Maresca’s side having taken 65 points from 26 matches.
Second-placed Ipswich continuing to stutter – their goalless draw at Stoke extended their winless run to five games – has also helped Leicester open up a big lead at the top.
Huddersfield, meanwhile, remain one place above the relegation zone but are still four points clear of 22nd-placed QPR, who lost at home to Cardiff.
Foxes head coach Enzo Maresca to Radio Leicester:
“It’s always complicated, four games in 10 days and you never know how us or the opponent will be. I’m very happy at the end because we won an important game.
“In the first-half they came here with 10 players behind the ball, so I’m happy.
“We’re very happy for Tom [Cannon], he joined us when he was injured, which was not easy for him. If you want to win, you need strikers doing well.”
Huddersfield boss Darren Moore told BBC Radio Leeds:
“I credited my boys for their commitment and endeavour and their never-say-die attitude. But Leicester are a good team.
“We set up to make sure that we kept our shape compact and not give much away,
“The goal just before half-time was a hard one to take. The goal that really disappointed me was the one just after half-time, because with that the game goes away from you.
“That goal settled them down in their rhythm. But credit to the boys – they didn’t stop and didn’t hold back. We kept on the front foot, which is what I want us to do.”
Line-ups
Leicester
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 30Hermansen
- 2JustinSubstituted forDoyleat 80′minutes
- 23Vestergaard
- 3Faes
- 21Ricardo Pereira
- 7Casadei
- 8Winks
- 18FatawuSubstituted forAlbrightonat 80′minutes
- 29Akgün
- 10MavididiSubstituted forMarçal-Madivaduaat 89′minutes
- 28Cannon
Substitutes
- 4Coady
- 5Doyle
- 11Albrighton
- 17Choudhury
- 22Dewsbury-Hall
- 39Maswanhise
- 40Marçal-Madivadua
- 41Stolarczyk
- 45Nelson
Huddersfield
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Nicholls
- 32Lees
- 5Helik
- 33Nakayama
- 18Kasumu
- 23WilesSubstituted forDiarraat 79′minutes
- 2Edmonds-Green
- 8Rudoni
- 15HeadleySubstituted forAyinaat 37′minutesBooked at 76mins
- 14Thomas
- 10Koroma
Substitutes
- 11Diarra
- 27Hudlin
- 31Chapman
- 36Austerfield
- 37Ayina
- 39Iorpenda
- 42Stone
- 43Falls
- Referee:
- Sam Allison
- Attendance:
- 30,407
Live Text
-
Match ends, Leicester City 4, Huddersfield Town 1.
-
Second Half ends, Leicester City 4, Huddersfield Town 1.
-
Attempt saved. Cesare Casadei (Leicester City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ricardo Pereira.
-
Attempt blocked. Callum Doyle (Leicester City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
-
Attempt blocked. Harry Winks (Leicester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
-
Thomas Cannon (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Michal Helik (Huddersfield Town).
-
Attempt saved. Jack Rudoni (Huddersfield Town) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Yuta Nakayama.
-
Corner, Huddersfield Town. Conceded by Callum Doyle.
-
Attempt blocked. David Kasumu (Huddersfield Town) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Josh Koroma.
-
Substitution, Leicester City. Wanya Marçal replaces Stephy Mavididi.
-
Attempt missed. Ricardo Pereira (Leicester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Marc Albrighton.
-
Attempt missed. Yunus Akgün (Leicester City) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right.
-
Josh Koroma (Huddersfield Town) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Sorba Thomas following a fast break.
-
Substitution, Leicester City. Marc Albrighton replaces Abdul Fatawu.
-
Substitution, Leicester City. Callum Doyle replaces James Justin.
-
Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Brahima Diarra replaces Ben Wiles.
-
Attempt missed. Ricardo Pereira (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Abdul Fatawu with a cross.
-
Goal! Leicester City 4, Huddersfield Town 1. Stephy Mavididi (Leicester City) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
-
Loick Ayina (Huddersfield Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.