By Joel Wood
Leicester City made it five games unbeaten in all competitions to keep Craig Shakespeare’s 100% unbeaten record intact after brushing aside Mark Hughes’ Stoke in an easy 2-0 win.
A back injury to captain Wes Morgan saw Yohan Benalouane brought back into the side whereas Stoke were still without the vital Xherdan Shaqiri who is still recovering from a calf strain.
It was a cagey opening 20 minutes at the King Power from both sides with half chances from Benalouane and Jamie Vardy both finding the side netting.
However, the deadlock was broken by a moment of sheer brilliance in the 25th minute with a thunderous strike from 25-yards from Wilfred Ndidi.
Danny Simpson from the right-hand side pulled a square ball into the path of the Nigerian in the centre of the pitch.
The midfielder took it past the oncoming Stoke defence with ease before unleashing a thunderbolt into the top right of the net past the onlooking Lee Grant.
Following the goal, Shakespeare’s side enjoyed the majority of the chances. Demarai Grey, who was given his first start under the new manager was undoubtedly the brightest on the pitch being brought into the team following Marc Albrighton being ruled out from illness before kick-off.
Leicester’s dominance continued early after the break with the in-form Vardy finding the back of the net only two minutes after the restart.
Another assist from Simpson, who looped a dangerous ball into the Stoke box was volleyed home confidently from the English sticker giving him his 9th league goal of the season.
Leicester stood resolute for the rest of the game allowing Stokes Marko Arnautović and Saido Berahino very little to live off.
Leicester’s win makes Shakespeare the first British manager to win their first four Premier League games and lifts the foxes eight points clear of the drop.
