LEICESTER CITY 2
Ndidi (25), Vardy (47) STOKE CITY 0
LEICESTER edged closer to Premier League safety as boss Craig Shakespeare entered the record books after a routine win over Stoke.
Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy handed the Foxes a win over a subdued Stoke side who rarely threatened to upset the home side’s momentum. It was Leicester’s fifth straight win in all competitions since Claudio Ranieri was sacked and meant Shakespeare became the first English manager to win his first four Premier League games.
He joined Guus Hiddink, Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti in having a 100% record after four outings.
Shakespeare has now guided last season’s shock champions to nine points clear of the drop zone and into the Champions League quarter-finals.
He also has them back to their vibrant best with hapless Stoke, who remain ninth, unable to cope.
Leicester set an early tone when Yohan Benalouane – in his first league appearance at the King Power since the opening day of last season – dragged wide.
The Foxes bossed possession with the visitors trying to remain compact, but they were indebted to Erik Pieters after 18 minutes.
Ryan Shawcross poleaxed Demarai Gray and, from Christian Fuchs’ free-kick, Pieters nodded Robert Huth’s goal-bound header away and Vardy missed the follow-up.
Gray then drilled wide, but the Foxes got the goal their domination deserved after 25 minutes with Ndidi’s first Premier League strike.
The midfielder collected Danny Simpson’s simple pass before advancing towards goal and unleashing an
unstoppable 25-yard drive into the top corner of the net.
As an attacking force Stoke were non-existent with Saido Berahino anonymous and Marko Arnautovic nullified.
Leicester extinguished any hopes of a second-half Stoke revival just 76 seconds after the restart.
Simpson collected his second assist of the afternoon, swinging in a deep cross which Vardy met with a clinical volley past Grant.
It was the striker’s fifth goal in his last six club games with the 30-yearold revitalised since last month’s exit of former manager Claudio Ranieri.
Mahrez nearly added a third, but shot wide and Gray almost capped an excellent display when Grant tipped his late effort around a post.