RAZOR-SHARP FOXES HURT BLUNT BLADES

IF this is what life without Chris Wilder looks like for Sheffield United, they might consider asking him back. Kelechi Iheanacho’s hat-trick sent the Blades to their heaviest league defeat for nearly 21 years in their first game without their era-defining manager. Iheanacho’s first Leicester treble, along with a goal from Ayoze Perez and an own-goal from Ethan Ampadu, showed Wilder’s departure is weighing heavily on this group of players. With relegation now near inevitable, there was little caretaker boss Paul Heckingbottom — only the third manager in Premier League history to lose his first game in charge by at least five goals — could do to reverse the trend of the season. United never lost by more than a three-goal margin during Wilder’s five-year reign but their second-half display was so poor, they were lucky to concede only five. They have never been beaten this badly in the league since Blackburn defeated them by the same margin in April 2000. ‘It was difficult to watch and be involved in,’ admitted ex-Hibs boss Heckingbottom. ‘It topped off a really difficult week and it’s an emotional dressing room. There was anger at the performance and they are upset as well, both players and staff. The emotional element crept into the day.’ As for the Foxes, Brendan Rodgers’ men have responded well to a 3-1 defeat by Arsenal in their last home game to take seven points from a possible nine, and strengthen their position in the top four. Though Jamie Vardy has only one goal in his last 15 games, he set up two of Iheanacho’s and supplied the cross that Ampadu turned into his own net. Iheanacho has hit five in his last three league games and six in six in all competitions, so even without injured James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, Leicester are finding a way. ‘Kelechi has been in great form,’ said Rodgers. ‘He is playing at a high level and the combination between him and Jamie was very good. His third was a wonderful strike, overall he played very well. Jamie may not have scored but he was brilliant.’ Aaron Ramsdale kept the score level early on when he pushed Perez’s glancing header against the post and in the 18th minute saved with his legs to deny Vardy, who had stolen the ball from Kean Bryan. Leicester made the breakthrough six minutes before half-time. Youri Tielemans found Perez in space, and he slipped the ball forward for Vardy. The striker’s first-time cross was perfect for Iheanacho, who scored from close range. It could have been two early in the second half but Chris Basham headed Vardy’s effort off the line. Iheanacho released Vardy again on the hour mark but the shot was too close to Ramsdale. However, Perez then scored a delightful second on his return from injury with a spectacular swerving effort in the 64th minute. The third soon followed as Tielemans played in Vardy, who crossed again for Iheanacho to supply an accurate finish. There was still time for Iheanacho to complete his hat-trick with a powerful left-footer from 20 yards. The fifth followed quickly as Vardy sprinted into space and Ampadu turned the cross into his own net.