LEICESTER survived a spirited fightback from Norwich to secure victory.
NORWICH CITY 1 Mbokani (68) LEICESTER CITY 2 Vardy (28, pen) Schlupp (47)
Jamie Vardy converted from the penalty spot with 26 minutes gone before Jeff Schlupp doubled Leicester’s advantage shortly after the interval. Claudio Ranieri’s side appeared on course to cruise to victory, but
Norwich substitute Dieumerci Mbokani gave the home side hope when he scored after 68 minutes. However, the Foxes saw out the win to maintain their impressive start to the season.
For Norwich, Matt Jarvis was back in the line-up after the on-loan West Ham forward was ineligible to play against his parent club last week. Nathan Redmond, scorer in their 2-2 draw against the Hammers, started from the bench.
Riyad Marhez was the surprise omission from Ranieri’s line-up. The Algerian striker has scored five times this term, but was handed a place on the bench.
With three minutes gone, Cameron Jerome linked up well with Wes Hoolahan on the edge of the Leicester box, but he blazed his right-footed effort over the bar.
Vardy, always an outball for the visiting side, brought John Ruddy into action for the first time with 20 minutes gone. Vardy produced a neat step-over inside the area, but his shot was saved by Ruddy at his near post.
Vardy then fell under the challenge of Sebastien Bassong in the area, and referee Mark Clattenburg had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Bassong protested his innocence, but Vardy stepped up to convert from 12 yards. It was his fifth goal in as many games and his seventh of the season.
The home fans were growing increasingly frustrated as the halftime whistle blew, and it did not get any better after the interval. Many of the home fans were still taking their seats when Leicester broke down the left-hand side. A brilliant reverse pass from N’Golo Kante sent Schlupp through on goal, and he put his left-footed shot into the far corner.
Norwich probably should have been awarded a penalty after 50 minutes when Robert Huth appeared to grapple Jerome to the floor, but Clattenburg was unmoved.
Mbokani replaced Jarvis after an hour, and it was not long before the Congolese striker made an impact, hitting the crossbar with a header after 66 minutes before giving Norwich hope when he converted Jonny Howson’s cross.
Down the other end, Leonardo Ulloa saw his headed goal ruled out for a push on Jerome.