MATCH STATS

would have fully earned a point before Maddison’s late goal.

The hosts had what appeared to be a legitimate strike ruled out by the off-site officials long before Harry Kane struck the opener.

Maddison’s corner was cleared to the opposite flank where Youri Tielemans fired goalwards.

Paulo Gazzaniga – deputising in goal due to Hugo Lloris being present at the birth of his child – spilled and Wilfred Ndidi forced the ball home.

It looked for all the world as though Leicester had drawn first blood but three players were standing offside.

Leicester paid for that when an off-balance Kane, despite being shoved in the back by Caglar Soyuncu, brilliantly squeezed the ball past Kasper Schmeichel as he prepared to hit the turf. It stayed that way because VAR intervened over Aurier’s goal that never was.

Five minutes later Portuguese full-back Pereira arrived to side-foot Jamie Vardy’s cross into the net.

Leicester then delivered the killer blow when sub Hamza Choudhury seized upon a headed clearance, squaring for Maddison who fired home from the edge of the box.

Foxes’ boss Rodgers said: “It was a brilliant effort against a top-class side that four months ago was in the Champions League Final.

“We started with good intensity and we were a wee bit unfortunate to be a goal behind.

“We adapted the system and the players coped with everything the game threw at them.

“Of course, from Mauricio’s perspective, if it went to two-nil, you’d be happier than if it stayed at one-nil.

“But we have spoken a number of times about how you react.

“You have to retain your focus and we responded. “We’re not getting carried away – we’ve had a tough start – but I’m pleased with the focus.”