Leicester go third with impressive win at Swansea

Jordan James (second left) has scored twice in five appearances for Leicester

Jordan James, Abdul Fatawu and Jannik Vestergaard were all on target as Leicester City ended their run of draws with an impressive 3-1 victory at Swansea City.

Leicester led early on thanks to James' thumping drive before Swansea hauled themselves back into the contest through Adam Idah's second-half penalty.

Fatawu then restored the Foxes' advantage as he whipped the ball into the top corner from outside the area, before the winger went close to an extraordinary second goal when he hit the bar from almost 50 yards out.

With Swansea's resistance broken, Marti Cifuentes' team wrapped up the points as Vestergaard headed home when Luke Thomas' free-kick was not properly cleared.

After four successive draws, Leicester's first win since late August sees them climb to third in the Championship table.

Swansea slip to 11th having been beaten at home for only the second time since Alan Sheehan took charge at the Welsh club in February.

Leicester took the game to Swansea in the opening stages, with James lifting a decent early chance over before he cut in from the left and smashed the ball beyond Lawrence Vigouroux and into the far corner.

Abdul Fatawu's superb goal was his third this season

James also hit the post just after the hour mark before Swansea, who were in the contest until the closing stages, came close to an equaliser when Jakub Stolarczyk denied Zan Vipotnik from point-blank range.

The leveller came after Wout Faes slid in on Ethan Galbraith and referee David Webb pointed the spot, allowing Idah to stroke home his first goal since his deadline-day move from Celtic.

But Leicester hit back with a vengeance to seal a deserved victory.

Analysis: Leicester the best side in the Championship? Perhaps

Swansea head coach Sheehan, whose playing career began when he joined Leicester as a teenager 22 years ago, reckons Leicester may be the strongest team in the Championship this season.

On this evidence, he could be proved right.

A Leicester starting side featuring 10 players who played in the Premier League last season – with James the odd one out – were impressive from the outset as they stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Fatawu and 16-year-old Jeremy Monga caused Swansea issues down the flanks, while James shone in front of the watching Wales head coach Craig Bellamy.

It is now just one defeat in nine league games this season for Marti Cifuentes' team, who did not have it all their own way but always looked the more likely winners.

Even when Swansea – who have been a tough nut to crack on their own patch in recent times – drew level and hoped to push for a late winner, Leicester were able to raise their levels to avoid the frustration of a fifth successive draw.

Adam Idah scored his first goal since joining Swansea for an initial £6m, but Alan Sheehan's team were only level for 10 minutes

What they said

Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan:

"I am disappointed. I don't want us to be a nearly team. For 75, 80 minutes of the game we were well in it.

"Two worldie goals and then a ricochet set-piece at the end and after that we lose a small piece of discipline - that can change the perception.

"But I came in at half-time and my feeling was that 'OK, we are in control of a lot of areas here, can we get a bit more quality in the final third?'.

"We get back in the game, create some decent chances and score a penalty. We bring on the attacking subs and I feel like we are getting the impetus.

"Then Fatawu comes inside and bends it in the top corner and the set-piece follows. If you pause it at 75 minutes, you're probably not sure who is going to win the game.

"But it's a 90-minute game and I don't want to be a nearly team, so we have to go for the whole period."

Leicester manager Marti Cifuentes:

"I am very happy with the three points. We played against a good team – it's never easy to win here.

"We started really well – not just the goal, a sharp start. Then perhaps through the first half we started to lose the ball more.

"The aggressive high press Swansea like to play gave them some momentum. We were chasing the ball and we were looking a bit tired.

"The start of the second half was good – we had a very good period just before the penalty.

"What I valued most today was the reaction after the penalty. I have spoken about the need to chase goals and after the penalty that's exactly what we did. We were very strong in the last 20 minutes."