Leicester City moved 12 points clear at the top of the Championship table after a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at the King Power Stadium. Jamie Vardy, who grew up supporting the Owls, scored his first ever goal against them in the 36th minute, after Abdul Fatawu had given the hosts an early lead. The Foxes have now won five consecutive games in all competitions, while the visitors remain in the relegation zone, five points from safety.
Fatawu capitalizes on defensive error
Leicester took the lead in the fourth minute, when Fatawu pounced on a poor backpass from Sheffield Wednesday defender Liam Palmer and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Cameron Dawson. It was the Ghanaian’s seventh goal of the season, and his third in his last four appearances. The 23-year-old, who joined the Foxes from Danish side Nordsjaelland in the summer, has been a revelation for Danny Rohl’s side, providing pace, skill and creativity on the left wing.
Vardy haunts his boyhood club
Sheffield Wednesday, who are managed by former Leicester boss John Eustace, had a chance to equalize in the 18th minute, when Barry Bannan’s free-kick found the head of Julian Borner, but the German defender’s effort was saved by John Ruddy. The Owls were made to pay for their missed opportunity, when Vardy doubled Leicester’s lead nine minutes before the break. The veteran striker, who is out of contract at the end of the season, latched onto a through ball from Koji Miyoshi and fired a low shot into the bottom corner. It was his sixth goal in his last seven games, and his 11th of the campaign. Vardy, who was born in Sheffield and supported the Owls as a child, did not celebrate his goal out of respect for his former club.
Wednesday rally after the break
The visitors came out with more urgency in the second half, and created several chances to get back into the game. Sammie Szmodics, who is the Championship’s top scorer with 18 goals, forced a fine save from Ruddy in the 52nd minute, after a clever pass from Josh Windass. The former Colchester United forward then had another opportunity in the 67th minute, when he met a cross from Adam Reach, but his header was off target. Sheffield Wednesday also had a penalty appeal turned down in the 74th minute, when Windass went down under a challenge from Caglar Soyuncu, but the referee waved play on.
Leicester hold on for fifth straight win
Leicester, who have the best defensive record in the division, with only 24 goals conceded in 32 games, managed to keep a clean sheet and secure their fifth consecutive win in all competitions. The Foxes, who are aiming to return to the Premier League after a three-year absence, have now opened up a 12-point gap over second-placed Leeds United, who lost 4-0 at Swansea City. Sheffield Wednesday, on the other hand, have lost four of their last five games, and remain in 23rd place, five points adrift of safety. Eustace, who was sacked by Leicester in October after a poor start to the season, received a warm reception from the home fans, but could not prevent his new team from suffering another defeat.
