LEICESTER CITY 2 Okazaki (1), Maguire (54) BRIGHTON 0
RIYAD MAHREZ inspired Leicester to breeze past toothless Brighton with a superb display of attacking intent at the King Power Stadium.
Shinji Okazaki cashed in on goalkeeper Mathew Ryan’s error after just 52 seconds to set the tone as the Foxes cruised to victory.
Harry Maguire then netted on his home debut as Craig Shakespeare’s men enjoyed their afternoon, with the carefree Mahrez taunting Brighton, and shaking off continued transfer speculation in the process.
Roma have had three bids rejected for the Algeria international but there was no sulking from the winger who put on a terrific show of skill.
Brighton had no answer to him, barely making a dent in Leicester’s game plan, and, despite spending around £ 40 million this summer, looked illequipped to deal with the demands of the Premier League.
Chris Hughton’s men fell behind after just 52 seconds following a gaffe from Ryan when Mahrez tricked his way into the area and curled in a tame shot which the goalkeeper should have dealt with better.
Instead, the 25- yearold, who joined from Valencia for £5 million in the summer, spilled it straight to the waiting Okazaki, who accepted the gift to tap in his second goal of the season.
The goal allowed Leicester to settle and dominate, with Mahrez Brighton’s tormentor-in-chief as the Seagulls struggled to get to grips with him and the Foxes.
Brighton offered little in response, with Glenn Murray starved of service and forced to drop deep to collect the ball, giving the visitors no presence up front.
Mahrez and Okazaki continued to pull the strings for Leicester, but it
was Matty James, searching for his first Foxes goal since February 2014, who went close when he fired over.
With Brighton’s firsthalf attack virtually anonymous there was a sense Leicester would not need a second goal, but the Foxes killed the game when Maguire nodded in Mahrez’s corner nine minutes after the break, his first goal since a £17 million switch from Hull.
It was routine stuff from Leicester and another stark reminder to Brighton of the challenge they face to stay in the Premier League.
Substitute Tomer Hemed did at least force a save from K asper Schmeichel, his first of the match, with 18 minutes left, but Brighton had no late answers and Leicester were content with a job well done.