Leicester neutralise Norwich as they seek out Championship top spot

James Hilsum

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammate Harry WinksAFP

Leicester City returned to the top of the Championship, at least temporarily, recovering from a goal down to claim a much-needed 3-1 win over Norwich City at the King Power Stadium, easing a sobering run of only one victory from their six previous league games.

This was the 50th league meeting between two clubs targeting Premier League promotion via different routes, with one flailing and another flourishing in their respective pursuits.

The Foxes’ top-two hopes have suffered several debilitating blows in recent weeks, while David Wagner’s visitors continue to enhance their play-off prospects.

This was reflected by a remarkably subdued atmosphere inside the ground, which Patson Daka looked to lift with an angled run before being thwarted by Angus Gunn in the Norwich goal.

However, the doom and gloom engulfing the East Midlands side came to the fore once again, as Gabriel Sara brilliantly ghosted his way unmarked to the near post and slid the ball home from a Borja Sainz corner.

It was the Brazilian’s fourth goal in his last four appearances, and Enzo Maresca’s side would need to come from behind to win - a feat they had not managed since a 3-2 win over Millwall on December 13th.

Despite this, Leicester’s response was impressive, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall restored parity with a fine header after Stephy Mavididi brilliantly headed Wilfred Ndidi’s searching delivery back across the face of goal.

Enzo Maresca’s side continued this positive momentum after the break, with Gunn called into action to thwart Ndidi from Abdul Fatawu’s pass.

Sam McCallum then almost gifted Leicester a second, with Daka reacting to the defender’s mishap, but could not divert his attempt on target. The relentless Foxes’ pressure eventually came to fruition, with Mavidi turning the game on its head with the most sublime of finishes.

He latched onto Dewsbury-Hall’s pass before audaciously chipping the ball over Jack Stacey and rifling a pinpoint finish into the bottom corner. The Canaries made a rare foray forward through Stacey, who fired into the side netting with a frustrated Josh Sargent open and unmarked in the box.

Ultimately, there was still time for Jamie Vardy to come off the bench and add extra gloss to the scoreline, as he slotted the ball home after a Harry Winks effort fell into his path.

These three valuable points lifts Leicester a point clear of second-placed Ipswich Town and third-placed Leeds United, who are both in action later on Easter Monday against Southampton and Hull City respectively.

Meanwhile, this result ended a run of three consecutive league wins for Norwich, but the Canaries will remain in the top six by the end of today, regardless of later results.