Relegation a genuine prospect for Leicester

Relegation is looming as a genuine prospect for stuttering Premier League soccer champion Leicester.

It’s 79 years since a defending champion was relegated from England’s top division — the fate befell Manchester City in 1938 — but Leicester is heading that way after a 3-0 home loss to Manchester United on Sunday.

That left Claudio Ranieri’s team in 16th place in the 20-team league, one point above the relegation zone with 14 matches left. This time last season, the Foxes were atop the standings and on their way to the most remarkable title triumph in Premier League history.

“Let’s not talk about last season. It’s gone,” Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said.

“It is not a comfortable situation. It has been terrible, embarrassing. It is time for each one of us — from the top to the bottom of this club — to be counted.”

Unconfirmed reports of dressingroom unrest have surfaced in the British media in recent weeks, adding to Leicester’s problems. A look at Sunday’s games: LEICESTER 0, MAN UNITED 3 United scored three goals in an eightminute period at King Power Stadium.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s brilliant run and finish broke the deadlock in the 42nd and Zlatan Ibrahimovic added a second with a first-time strike 88 seconds later, his 15th league goal of the season.

Juan Mata, pictured above, was perhaps fortunate not to receive a firsthalf red card for a robust tackle on Jamie Vardy, so it was even more galling for Leicester fans to see the Spain playmaker make it 3-0. MAN CITY 2, SWANSEA 1 Gabriel Jesus started ahead of Sergio Aguero and justified the selection by scoring twice, including the winner two minutes into stoppage time.

That’s three goals in his first two starts in the league for the 19-year-old Brazil striker, who has adjusted quickly to the English game and has delighted City coach Pep Guardiola.

“Everybody is a bit surprised by his level,” said Guardiola. LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP A clash between rival managers sparked a free-for-all between players and coaching staff of Huddersfield and Leeds at the end of a Yorkshire derby in the second-tier League Championship.

Huddersfield coach David Wagner raced down the touchline and joined in the celebrations of his players after a goal by Michael Hefele, which proved to be the winner in a 2-1 victory for the hosts.

As Wagner returned to his bench, he was blocked off by Leeds manager Garry Monk.