Leicester City intensifies their lead in the Championship with a dazzling performance, defeating Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.
In a rapid start, Stephy Mavididi propelled Leicester into the lead just 13 seconds after Foxes defender James Justin hit his own post. Jordan James swiftly equalized for Blues, but Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealed another quick counter-attack to restore the Foxes’ lead.
Mavididi, cautioned for exuberant celebrations after his first goal, then delivered a deflected third goal early in the second half. Wales midfielder James offered Blues hope with his second goal, a right-footed chip that also took a crucial deflection. However, the Foxes remained unthreatened, extending their lead to three points over second-placed Ipswich Town.
They now boast a 13-point advantage over third-placed Leeds United, having accumulated 55 out of a possible 66 points – the highest at this stage of a Championship season in two decades.
Blues kicked off with impressive intensity, testing Foxes keeper Mads Hermansen as Jordan James, Siriki Dembele, and Krystian Bielik all had attempts, including a well-tipped near-post header by Bielik.
However, the hosts suffered a cruel setback when, from their own corner, a panicked James accidentally cleared the ball against his own upright. Seizing the opportunity, Leicester swiftly counterattacked with Abdul Fatawu slipping the ball to Mavididi, who calmly finished over the advancing John Ruddy.
Mavididi’s celebration, sitting on the front wall of the home Tilton Road End, stirred local emotions. Blues responded fittingly four minutes later, with highly regarded midfielder James converting Ivan Sunjic’s pass into a beautifully angled shot inside the left upright.
Despite their brief resurgence, Blues found themselves level for only seven minutes. Fatawu once again played a pivotal role as Leicester, with astonishing speed in their counter-attacks, ran from their own box to stun Blues for the second time.
Dewsbury-Hall netted his seventh goal of the season, four of which have come against Midlands opponents. He previously scored twice against Coventry on the opening day of the season and also in last month’s win at West Brom.
Mavididi appeared to secure the victory with another swift break, cutting in from the left and launching a right-footed curler that found the net with a deflection off Emanuel Aiwu.
Despite an inspiring effort from teenager James, whose deflected shot brought the score to 3-2 and offered hope for Blues to salvage a point, there was still time left. However, despite the introduction of substitutes Scott Hogan and Lukas Jutkiewicz, Blues were unable to mount a serious threat. Leicester substitute Cesare Casadei had an opportunity to add a fourth on the break but narrowly missed the target.
Who’s next?
Birmingham will be on the road to face Plymouth Argyle this Saturday, followed by a Midlands home derby against Stoke City on Boxing Day.
Leicester is set to host Rotherham United this Saturday, and then they will be heading for a top-two clash against Ipswich on Boxing Day.