WILF’S STUNNING STRIKE PROVES CHAMPS ARE NO SPENT FOUR-CE

ninth-place Stoke. Foxes boss Shakespeare was full of praise for Ndidi and he said: “When someone his age comes in you wonder how long it will take to settle but he’s done brilliantly and is showing great maturity.

“He’s a tremendous athlete, who works hard, can tackle and pass – and who has a goal in him too. What a strike that was today.

“Confidence is massive and ours is growing with each win. The break could have stifled our momentum but thankfully didn’t.”

The Champions League quarter-finalists continued where they had left off before the international break yesterday.

They would have been ahead after six minutes had centre-half Yohan Benalouane shown more composure instead of snatching a shot wide.

But that set the pattern for the rest of the afternoon with Mark Hughes’ Potters on the back foot throughout.

England hitman Vardy once again lead from the front, chasing every lost cause as if it was a matter of life and death.

But even the tireless striker had to take a back seat when Ndidi lit up the match in the 25th minute.

There seemed little danger as he collected possession 30 yards out.

Then a few seconds and steps later, the lanky midfielder unleashed a right-foot screamer that flew in the top corner past helpless Stoke stopper Lee Grant.

Leicester have taken maximum points from every game in which they have scored first this season. That impressive record was never in danger here with Shakespeare’s side going in for the kill. And t hey got t heir rewards immediately after the break when red-hot Vardy doubled the lead.

Right-back Danny Simpson was the creator, clipping a perfect cross to the far post for ruthless Vardy to grab his 12th goal in all competitions this season. Stoke boss Hughes said: “To sum it up, we were off the pace all day. After we went 2-0 down it was always a long way back –too long. “Credit to Craig, he’s doing exceptionally well and making a great fist of the job.”