Leicester City 2-1 Cardiff City: Debutant Cesare Casadei scores injury-time winner

Cesare Casadei spent part of last season on loan at Reading from Chelsea

Leicester City maintained their perfect start to the season in dramatic fashion as Cesare Casadei came off the bench to score an injury-time winner at home to Cardiff City.

Wanya Marcal-Madivadua fired the dominant hosts into a first-half lead with an emphatic first-time finish.

But against the run of play, Aaron Ramsey equalised before the break with a spectacular swerving strike from almost 35 yards.

That inspired a second-half revival from Cardiff, who wasted a fine chance to win as Yakou Meite shot wide, before Casadei - signed on loan from Chelsea on Tuesday - struck from close range to save Leicester.

Casadei's goal came as a relief for Leicester, finishing powerfully after fellow substitute Jamie Vardy appeared to be fouled in the penalty area to make it three wins from three under new manager Enzo Maresca.

As for Cardiff, this was another cruel late concession after they saw victory slip from their grasp in added time at Leeds United on the opening weekend. It also means Erol Bulut is still searching for his first league victory as Cardiff boss after a draw and two defeats.

The teams' contrast in early-season fortunes was evident in the opening exchanges at the King Power Stadium as Leicester started strongly, with goalkeeper Mads Hermansen strikingly positioned near the halfway line during long spells of possession for the home side.

They were quick to demonstrate their attacking threat as Kelechi Iheanacho's beautiful curling left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area beat Cardiff keeper Jak Alnwick but hit the post.

After Iheanacho saw another shot deflected narrowly wide and Stephy Mavididi had a penalty appeal rejected after tangling with Mahlon Romeo, Leicester's pressure eventually told as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's corner was not cleared and Marcal-Madivadua struck with a thumping first-time shot.

Cardiff could barely lay a glove on their opponents but then, in first-half injury time, they scored out of nowhere as Ramsey unleashed a stunning long-range shot which dipped and swerved into the far corner.

Ex-Arsenal and Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey is back for a third spell at Cardiff

Even if the Bluebirds had done little to suggest they could get back into this contest, it was a magnificent way for the Wales captain to score his first goal since returning to his boyhood club this summer.

It seemed to rejuvenate Bulut's men, who came close to taking the lead early in the second half as Joe Ralls' low shot was palmed away by Hermansen.

The game then started to open up with chances at both ends, Callum Doyle going close for Leicester with a shot which Alnwick did well to tip wide.

The best chance of all fell to Cardiff substitute Meite. Romeo did superbly to dribble past three Leicester players before threading an excellent through ball to Meite but, one-on-one with Hermansen, the former Reading striker pulled his shot wide.

That miss would prove costly as Leicester bundled in a late winner, initially appealing for a penalty as Vardy fell under a challenge but instantly turning those complaints into celebrations as Casadei fired in.

Cardiff were crestfallen and their afternoon got even worse after that goal as Romeo was sent off for a second yellow card.

Leicester manager Enzo Maresca told BBC Radio Leicester:

"The first half was brilliant, probably our best first half of the season. We didn't concede any shots apart from the last one, which was a great goal.

"In the second half we started still thinking about that goal and didn't play in the right way, but I'm very happy with the final performance and the result.

"The best guys today were [substitutes] Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton, and they only played 10 or 20 minutes. They are a great example for the younger players."

Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut told BBC Radio Wales:

"We created a lot of chances in the second half. We could have won 2-1 or 3-1 but we lost 2-1, so it's disappointing of course for me, the players and the fans.

"We played a good game. The second half was great with the chances we created but we have to finish them. If you don't finish then, at the end, you pay for it.

"Ramsey scored a great goal - maybe goal of the month - and then we were back in the game. The second half was open and we have to add to our game. "