Positives from securing a rare shutout

Johnson. Costel Pantilimon was equally impressive in the Sunderland goal.

Poyet believes his team are now back to the level they produced before that chastening loss on the South Coast. ‘I have no doubt,’ he said. ‘We used to say we were a difficult team to play against until that bad game a few weeks ago. Now we are back to that.’

Pearson has switched formations throughout this season, and yesterday saw Riyad Mahrez and Jeff Schlupp the wingers in a 4-4-2. They did create more than in previous weeks, but their last goals came on October 4. Leicester supporters aired their frustration at certain moments.

Pearson remains confident in his side. ‘If the players play in that fashion we’ll be fine,’ he said. ‘We created chances today, but things didn’t quite go our way. The margins remain very small.’

Asked whether anxiety was creeping in he said: ‘Maybe around the stadium, but not among the players.’

Leicester shaded the early exchanges with Mahrez lively. He produced a wonderful pass to Schlupp, but he shot into the side-netting.

Schmeichel pulled off a superb save to deny Fletcher in the 23rd minute, spreading his frame to push the shot wide. Soon after, he palmed away a dipping drive from 25 yards from Johnson.

In the second half Matty James fired in a strong shot that was well saved by Pantilimon. Then a flighted pass from Cambiasso gave Mahrez room to bamboozle Wes Brown, but his final shot was then deflected wide.