Leicester establishes an early-season benchmarkLeicester set the tone early in the season with a Saints victory
Leicester ascended to the top of the Championship standings with a 4-1 demolition of Southampton, with Jamie Vardy scoring his first goal of the season.
Vardy scored after just 21 seconds before Kasey McAteer, Wilfred Ndidi, and Stephy Mavididi helped the Foxes dominate despite Sam Edozie’s goal.
Following their relegation from the Premier League last season, Leicester and Southampton were considered the Championship’s frontrunners for promotion.
Both had gone four games unbeaten, with the Foxes winning four of them, before suffering stunning setbacks before the international break.
Leicester manager Enzo Maresca said: “I am very happy. Winning the game is always important, it is never easy but the performance on and off the ball was very good.
“Sometimes like tonight we were a little more clinical and more clear in our decision-making.
“Since day one we have arrived quite well in the last third but we miss the right choices and aren’t patient, but tonight it worked better.”
Meanwhile, Hull head coach Liam Rosenior has challenged Aaron Connolly to maintain his promising early-season form after his equaliser earned the team a 1-1 draw at home to Coventry.
The visitors looked in control after Joel Latibeaudiere headed home in the first half.
But Republic of Ireland international Connolly had the final word with an enterprising header with three minutes remaining – his fourth goal of the new campaign.
Rosenior said: “Aaron’s capable of anything he wants in his career, if he stays on track.
“He’s not 100 per cent fit, which is scary … he’s a leader in the dressing room.
Jamie Vardy grabbed his first Championship goal of the season as Leicester climbed to the top of the table with a 4-1 thrashing of Southampton.
Vardy needed just 21 seconds to open the scoring before Kasey McAteer, Wilfred Ndidi and Stephy Mavididi made things dominant for the Foxes despite Sam Edozie’s goal.
Leicester and Southampton were the Championship’s favourites for promotion after their Premier League relegation last season.
Both had started with four matches unbeaten – including four wins for the Foxes – before suffering shock defeats before the international break.
Leicester manager Enzo Maresca said: “I am very happy. Winning the game is always important, it is never easy but the performance on and off the ball was very good.
“Sometimes like tonight we were a little more clinical and more clear in our decision-making.
“Since day one we have arrived quite well in the last third but we miss the right choices and aren’t patient, but tonight it worked better.”
Meanwhile, Hull head coach Liam Rosenior has challenged Aaron Connolly to maintain his promising early-season form after his equaliser earned the team a 1-1 draw at home to Coventry.
The visitors looked in control after Joel Latibeaudiere headed home in the first half.
But Republic of Ireland international Connolly had the final word with an enterprising header with three minutes remaining – his fourth goal of the new campaign.
Rosenior said: “Aaron’s capable of anything he wants in his career, if he stays on track.
“He’s not 100 per cent fit, which is scary … he’s a leader in the dressing room.
“Some of his runs and some of his movement are top level. He knows when he needs a rocket but he knows I love him as I’ve known him since he was 15.”
Hull, who have now lost once in 15 league games at home, are in fifth position four points behind Leicester.
