BRENDAN EXPECTS ‘NOW Foxes are in the title race’

asking ki me about the title in April. We’re happy. We’re not shying away from anything.

“But also there are only 13 games gone, so what is most pleasing is the consistency of my side. That’s 18 goals in our last five games and we’ve only conceded one. That shows the mentality and hunger.”

Leicester showed all their qualities to win at the Amex, dominating the first half with attractive football, defending when Brighton woke up in the second half – and ruthlessly putting them to the sword on the break.

Striker Vardy was almost unplayable on the counterattack, setting up Perez for the opener after 64 minutes.

He added a twice- taken penalty to settle it – with VAR awarding the initial kick and then demanding a retake.

That was Vardy’s 12th goal of the season. No wonder Rodgers is beaming.

He added: “What’s great is that our supporters are singing about winning the league – and it’s the most competitive league in the world.

“So, that tells you where Leicester are and the dreams they have, which is brilliant.

“For me it’s about keeping the team focused because we have to work. But today I thought we played terrific.” For Brighton, this was a first home defeat since August

Boss Graham Potter ( below) said: “Yes, I’m disappointed to lose but over the course of the game it’s probably a fair result.

“We showed real courage to stay in the game but Vardy, especially on the transition and turnover, is very dangerous.

“Leicester’s quality was high throughout the game. So we have to dust ourselves down and go again.”

The Foxes were not so much dominant in the first half as on a different planet. Perez hit the woodwork in the first minute, while livewire Harvey Barnes missed a series of chances as Brighton simply looked on.

The Seagulls were never going to be as passive in the second half and they upped their game to finally cause Leicester problems.

But the reality of Leicester is that they can do everything – dominate, play short or long, and play on the break under pressure.

So, just as Brighton got on top, the Foxes switched tactics and stepped up their counter-attacks.

Perez wasted one excellent chance from a lightning-quick