Stylish Foxes Put Four Past Huddersfield
Tielemans opened the scoring midway through the first half with a 20-yard curler before Vardy added the final touch to a flowing team move shortly after the half-time interval.
While Aaron Mooy halved the deficit for the relegated Terriers, Maddison whipped an inch-perfect free-kick into the top corner and Vardy's late penalty sealed all three points at John Smith's Stadium.
Brendan Rodgers made just a solitary change to his starting XI in light of a hip complaint for Jonny Evans, while Harry Maguire was absent following the birth of his daughter in the week.
As a result, Turkey defender Çağlar Söyüncü came in for his eighth competitive outing of the season in a Foxes shirt, while Academy graduate Hamza Choudhury returned to the substitutes’ bench.
Following successive victories over Fulham, Burnley and AFC Bournemouth, City were again at their expressive best from the off in west Yorkshire, carving out a variety of chances.
Inside the opening 60 seconds, Harvey Barnes, one of three Academy stars in the matchday squad, ran at the Terriers’ defence on the left-wing, forcing Tommy Smith into evasive action.
Barnes was the architect of City’s second opportunity in the 10th minute too, when an enterprising gallop on the flank provided him with time to cross for Maddison.
The talented 22-year-old forward, though, couldn’t quite get his head on it and Jan Siewert’s home side were able to clear the danger.
With 24 minutes gone, Leicester were deservedly ahead when Maddison’s whipped corner was cleared to Tielemans, lurking ominously on the edge of the 18-yard box.
The Belgian magician hit it first time, switching the direction of the ball, and curling it emphatically into Ben Hamer’s top corner to plot a course to victory for the in-form Foxes.
While Alex Prichard had alarm bells ringing, as Söyüncü was forced to clear it off the line, that 34th-minute scare was the only moment of real concern in the first half for Rodgers’ men.
At the other end, Leicester broke fearsomely whenever possession changed hands in their favour – as Ben Chilwell and Tielemans both had long-range efforts saved by Hamer.
Following inventive combination play on the edge of Huddersfield’s box, Demarai Gray was played in behind goal with seconds of the first period to go, but Hamer was there to save again.
After the interval, Kasper Schmeichel’s talents were required to make a super point-blank stop to keep Karlan Grant's effort out – and Leicester raced up-field straight away.
Gray and Ricardo Pereira combined smartly on the right wing, before the latter arrowed a first-time pass across goal to lay it up for Vardy to score his 14th goal of the season.
However, the home side narrowed the arrears just four minutes later when a late Söyüncü challenge on Grant led to Mooy firing in from 12 yards.
The Foxes rallied and, while Huddersfield threatened on occasions to level it, a wonderful free-kick from Maddison – his seventh success in front of goal this season made it 3-1.
In the 86th minute, Vardy was felled by Terence Kongolo in the box – and it was City’s No.9 who stepped up to score his 103rd competitive goal for the Football Club.
Major moment…
With the scoreline at 2-1 and Huddersfield riding a wave of momentum following Aaron Mooy’s second half penalty, City needed to be resolute to prevent a comeback.
What they really needed was another goal to restore breathing space between them and their hosts. Up stepped James Maddison to send a brilliant free-kick flying into the top corner.
Who impressed?
Since joining the Club on loan from AS Monaco in January, Belgium international Youri Tielemans has treated the Blue Army to a string of magical performances.
Saturday’s clash in west Yorkshire was no different – and it was the 21-year-old’s magnificent curler which sent the Foxes en route to a fourth win in a row in the Premier League.
Where do we stand?
After earning a total of 12 points from five games since his appointment, Brendan Rodgers’ men climb to seventh in the league standings, above Wolverhampton Wanderers on goal difference.
With Nuno Espírito Santo’s side prior engaged with Emirates FA Cup duties this weekend, as are ninth-placed Watford, a point worse off, both clubs will play fixtures in hand over the coming weeks.
Coming up…
City next entertain Newcastle United at King Power Stadium next Friday in an 8pm BST kick-off, before heading to West Ham United the following Saturday (3pm BST kick-off).