FOX WITH THE BLOCKS WES IS THE LEAD MAN

Vardy fires Leicester to top spot... but Fofana was the real hero in keeping Wolves at bay

JAMIE VARDY fired Leicester to a sixth straight win – and the top of the table – but it was the Foxes’ brilliant defence which ensured this vital victory.

These well- matched Midlands teams shared two goalless draws in the Premier League last term, but this time it was a different story as Vardy’s ninth of the season, from a disputed penalty, separated them.

It wasn’t plain sailing and the hosts had to hang on in the second half after Vardy missed a second penalty before the break.

Having been outplayed in the first half Wolves were better i n the second, but could find no way past a dogged Leicester defence.

New Foxes defender Wesley Fofana produced a brilliant lastditch tackle to deny Daniel Podence. Then skipper Kasper Schmeichel pulled off a superb one- handed save to deny Ruben Neves.

L e i c e s t e r manager Bre ndan Rodgers ( below), whose side also top their Europa League group, said: “It was a fantastic win for us.

“It has been an incredible start and I am so happy for the players.

The mentality and quality is there.” Leicester started well and were awarded a penalty in the 14th minute for handball , Dennis Praet’s cross from the right hitting defender Max Kilman’s left hand.

Referee Anthony Taylor gave the penalty after consulting the pitchside monitor.

Vardy took the spot- kick and emphatically converted with his right foot, shooting high into the net as Rui Patricio was sent the wrong way.

Dangerman Pra et , who was always lively, then f lashed a ball across goal which only just eluded Vardy’s head.

Leicester were awarded another penalty when Rayan Ait- Nouri bl atantly brought down James Justin after the Wolves defender dived in having miscontrolled the ball in the 37th minute.

It was the eighth penalty Leicester have won this season and they had converted the previous seven.

This time though Vardy’s effort went straight down the middle and Patricio made the save.

The ball came back to Vardy but he had little time to react and his follow- up went over.

It was impressive goalkeeping from Patricio, who has saved three of the last six penalties he has faced i n the Premier League. Wolves improved in the second half and l o o k e d l i k e l y t o equalise in the 54th minute when Nelson Semedo got away down the right.

His low cross was heading to Podence but Fofana, City ’s new £ 30million signing from St Etienne, made a superb covering tackle.

The French t eenage defender quickly got to his feet again to win the second ball , underlining his tenacity.

Wolves regained possession but Pedro Neto wasted it by shooting straight at Schmeichel.

The visitors threw on Adama Traore to push for an equaliser and were well on top, with the hosts needing Schmeichel to produce a fabulous one- handed save to his left to claw away Neves’ 77th- minute curler, which looked to be heading for the top corner.

That save doomed Wolves to defeat, despite coming into the match behind only Liverpool with the most Premier League points taken since February.

Fofana ( above) was the defensive hero for Leicester who jumped to the Premier League summit thanks to Jamie Vardy who scored one – and missed one – from the spot