Leicester City moved back up to second in the Premier League table by overcoming in-form Leeds United 4-1 at Elland Road.
The Foxes enjoyed a rapid start to proceedings as Harvey Barnes tapped home Jamie Vardy's centre within the second minute before Youri Tielemans smashed in from a rebound mid-way through the first-half. Stuart Dallas earned the hosts a lifeline just after half-time, with his deep cross finding the net.
Leicester all-but sealed the win with just under 15 minutes remaining, this time Cengiz Under squaring the ball to Vardy who converted for his seventh Premier League goal of the season. Tielemans then got his second from the penalty spot following an intervention by VAR as the Foxes extended their excellent form.
Story of the Match
Leicester lead early on
The chances started to flow as quickly as the rain in Yorkshire and Patrick Bamford really should have given the hosts the lead as he connected with Jack Harrison's header across goal but could only nod into the arms of Kasper Schmeichel.
As is life in the Premier League, he was made to pay instantly. Robin Koch's poor pass back was picked off by Vardy, who rounded Leeds stopper Ilan Meslier. The forward then teed up Barnes for an easy tap-in and his second goal of the campaign.
Leicester then twice went close to a second and it was opening goalscorer Barnes who carried most of the threat. Vardy again managed to get the winger in-behind the Leeds defence but this time, Meslier was able to smother. The stopper then produced another impressive save to deny the Leicester man from distance.
Foxes punish sloppy hosts
Whilst the hosts managed to eventually settle into the match, they remained guilty of gifting Leicester possession, an aspect that was again punished by the Foxes. Vardy, who was a constant menace to the defence, did excellently to connect with Marc Albrighton's cross but his diving header was saved. Meslier only served to parry straight to the advancing Tielemans, who made no mistake and smashed home.
Bielsa elected to make a change following the interval, introducing Ian Poveda-Ocampos, and it paid instant dividends. A clever short corner came the way of Dallas, with his deep cross towards the far post being missed by everyone and finding its way into the back of the Leicester net.
That gave the hosts significant encouragement and they almost got a quickfire second but Pablo Hernandez's curling effort from the edge of the area thumped off of the angle of the post and crossbar.
Vardy seals three points
With the hosts resurgent, Leicester had to hold firm and defend. Instead of that though, they elected to add to their advantage. Substitute James Maddison's through-ball to Under was perfect and just like against Arsenal last weekend, chipped the ball square to Vardy who had an easy job of stabbing in.
The 33-year-old might even had added to his night's work late on. After already notching a goal and an assist, he was played through by Under again but chipped wide when one-on-one with Meslier.
Leicester had just enough time to add to their win before the final whistle with a late penalty. Maddison went down under a challenge but the referee waved away the original appeals. After consulting VAR, the spot-kick was given, with Tielemans stepping up and firing into the top corner to carry the high-flying Foxes up the table.
Takeaways
Leeds contribute to their downfall
Whites' boss Marcelo Bielsa will be furious at how his team conceded their goals and practically gifted Leicester opportunities throughout the match. The hosts were extremely sloppy on the ball, Koch's pass to Vardy for the opening goal, setting the tone. On numerous occasions, a loose ball was picked up by the Foxes, allowing them a free run at goal. These mistakes have certainly not been characteristic of Leeds so far this season and Bielsa will hope that they do not become a regular occurrence.
Control becomes counter-attack
To their credit however, Leeds improved hugely after the interval, this time dominating possession and indeed the chances, starving Leicester of much of the game. That mattered not to the East-Midlanders however as Maddison, Under and Vardy all combined for a lethal counter-attack, handing Leicester the three points. What will satisfy Rodgers the most is the Foxes ability to adapt their style and still prove as effective.
Vardy as clinical as ever
At the age of 33, Vardy really isn't showing any signs of slowing down any time soon. The forward put in another exhilarating performance in Yorkshire, troubling the Leeds backline throughout the 90 minutes. His runs in-behind caused havoc throughout the match and just a goal and an assist apiece does not quite do his performance at Elland Road justice.