Second-Half Salvo Sees Off Huddersfield
Claude Puel made three changes to the side that were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool on Saturday. In came Shinji Okazaki and Slimani, while Matty James made his first start since September after overcoming an Achilles injury. Adrien Silva, meanwhile, was named as a substitute.
With Jamie Vardy missing out due to a groin problem, Slimani lead the line for City and while a header he saw saved in the first period would not have counted, it was a sign of what was to come from the striker.
It proved to be a frustrating opening 45 minutes for City, as skipper Wes Morgan was forced off due to injury. However, the Foxes were much improved in the second half and it was Mahrez who inspired them to victory.
Albrighton hooked a cross to the back post and the Leicester No.26 met it with a beautifully-taken first-time volley to open the scoring on 53 minutes.
Just seven minutes later, Slimani made it 2-0. This time, Mahrez turned provider as he slipped in his Algeria international team-mate, who lifted a delicate chip over Jonas Lossl to net his first Premier League goal of the season.
Efforts from Wilfred Ndidi and Demarai Gray followed before Claude Puel introduced Silva late on, as the Portugal international made his first appearance for the Club after the completion of his registration as a Leicester City player on New Year’s Day.
There was still time for a third for City, too. Albrighton, who just moments earlier had a goal disallowed for offside, found the back of the net to round off a fine win for the Foxes.
Major moment
Following a goalless first half, the game sprung into life and it was Riyad Mahrez who lit up King Power Stadium. Marc Albrighton added to his rich vein of form with another assist to set up Mahrez, who at the back post sent a brilliant volley into the back of the net to break the deadlock.
It proved to be a key strike as just seven minutes later, Islam Slimani doubled the advantage to put the Foxes into a healthy 2-0 lead with 30 minutes to play.
Who impressed?
With a goal and an assist, Riyad Mahrez put in another excellent display in Leicester City colours on Monday afternoon.
The Algerian has now either scored or set up nine goals in his previous nine Premier League appearances for the Foxes as he continues to cause havoc for opposition defences.
Where do we stand?
The Foxes remain eighth in the Premier League table, but following Burnley’s defeat to Liverpool, the gap to the Clarets is now just four points.
Coming up…
There’s now a brief pause in Premier League action for Claude Puel’s men as they prepare to face Fleetwood Town at Highbury Stadium in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday (12:45pm kick-off).