RUTHLESS FOXES SEAL TOP SPOT

BRENDAN RODGERS is within sight of a European milestone as manager after his Leicester side topped their group in style.

The Foxes clinched a place in Monday’s draw for the last 32 of the Europa League with a comfortable win at an empty King Power Stadium.

It gives Rodgers a chance to go further than he has ever done before in Europe.

His best run with former clubs Celtic and Liverpool was to the last 32 of this tournament. Now he has the chance to better that and will be heartened by this ruthless display.

AEK Athens, who prop up Group G, did not provide stiff opposition in their dead rubber. Yet Leicester blew them away with early goals from Cengiz Under and Harvey Barnes.

Turkish winger Under’s blistering finish for his first goal for the club was particularly impressive as it came from a volley.

The pair must have given Rodgers major claims for a recall ahead of Sunday’s game with Brighton. They were two of seven changes to the side that won at Sheffield United, with top- scorer Jamie Vardy on the bench.

It did not deter the hosts from making a bright start as they stormed into the lead in the 12th minute.

Youri Tielemans crossed from the left and Stratos Svarnas made a hash of the clearance, which popped up for Under to lash in from 14 yards ( celebrating, above). It was the Turk’s first goal since his September loan from Italian club Roma.

Two minutes later the hosts made it 2- 0. This time Barnes cut inside and hit a right- foot effort inside the box which deflected in off Ionut Nedelcearu.

Leicester dominated throughout t but couldn’t add a to their tally. LEICESTER: Ward 7; Justin 7, Fofana 7 ( Morgan 82), Evans 7, Thomas 7; Ndidi 7 ( Mendy 63, 6), Tielemans 7 ( Choudhury 82); Under 8, Praet 7, BARNES 8; Iheanacho 6 ( Perez 67, 6) AEK ATHENS: Tsintotas 6; Hnid 6, Svarnas 5 ( Shakhov 57, 6), Nedelcearu 6; Vasilantonopoulos 6, Mantalos 6 ( Albanis 65, 6), Simoes 6 ( Galanopoulos 81), Krsticic 6, Mitaj 6, Garcia 5 ( Machairas 55, 6), Ansarifard 6 ( Oliveira

66, 6)