SKYBET CHAMPIONSHIP: FOXES STAY CLEAR OF THE PACK AS QPR LEAD CHASE

NIGEL PEARSON and his class of 2014 wrote themselves into Leicester City’s history books as they chalked up their eighth successive league victory. The Championship leaders maintained their irresistible form with a triumph that was more comfortable than the scoreline suggested. Pearson’s side bettered the achievement of Brian Little’s crop in 1993, who set the standard during a promotion campaign and this one appears to be going the same way. Lloyd Dyer’s thumping finish midway through the first half gave Leicester breathing space against Lee Clark’s patched-up first-team squad. The points were secured when Jamie Vardy produced a confident finish after fine work by substitute Riyad Mahrez. ‘We haven’t spoken too much about it,’ said Pearson of the record. ‘To win eight games on the trot in any league is very difficult. To be honest, I can’t really believe it. It’s such a tough ask. ‘The players have to take an awful lot of credit for their ability to win different

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types of games. We have had to scrap and be resilient but we are also capable of playing very good football.’ Birmingham had secured the signing of Manchester City midfielder Emyr Huws on loan but he could not be registered in time to play, and Peter Lovenkrands’s last-minute header was little consolation for manager Clark. ‘The scoreline doesn’t tell the truth of the match,’ he said. ‘We both respected and feared them in the first half. We had a go after the break and caused one or two problems. But this is what happens. I’m asking 17-year-old boys to do the job of senior professionals. ‘Since January the spine of the team that went 10 matches unbeaten has been ripped out and we have never recovered. We have to get out of this rut.’

NEIL MOXLEY