Leicester City beat Stoke 5-0 away.
Patson Dak’s double, Jamie Vardy’s two and Kasey McAteer’s one were the rewards for total domination at the bet365 Stadium.
“We’ll never play you again,” sang the 2 604 away crowd as they fought their way to a full score in an otherwise near-empty stadium. With sixteen games to go in the season, the rest of the division probably can’t wait to see the back of them.
Abdul Fatawu was the first scorer when he received a pass from Harry Winks on the right, broke into space and fired just past the far post. Jack Bonham headed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s shot away in the top right corner, but Daka couldn’t get a touch on Abdul Fatawu’s deep shot.
The breakthrough came shortly after a controversial free kick when Mehdi Leris caught Stephy Mavididi as he was executing a pass. Leicester then took advantage of diabolical defending when Dewsbury-Hall played Fatawu through on goal, who crossed for goal with Daka waiting to slot in unmarked.
It was quickly two as Leicester enjoyed space in front of Stoke’s box, and McAteer’s shot was helped past the errant Bonham by Wilmot.
Stoke’s chances in the first half were limited to a quick Tyres Campbell shot which was saved by Mads Hermansen’s foot.
Stoke changed their shape at half-time, but the increased number of men up front only left more gaps, and Leicester would have none of it.
Daka scored the third from the penalty spot after Wout Faes broke through from the middle of the park and was clumsily pushed to the ground by Jordan Thompson. The fourth came when Jamie Vardy finished a quick counter-attack and Harry Winks found James Justin who crossed.
Mads Hermansen and James Justin combined under their own stick to deny an attempt from Bae Junh and Ben Wilmot.
In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Leicester scored next when Michael Rose was fouled by Dewsbury-Hall and Vardy scored a penalty.
Here are the bet365 stadium betting odds:
Abdul Fatawu: Thompson: with his willingness to run with the ball and take early opportunities to cross or shoot, he made the day difficult for Stoke’s standing left-back Jordan Thompson. 9
Patson Daka: Nine goals in eight games, five goals and three assists. After some early patience, Leicester took control of the game. No penalty kick complications. 9
Dewsbury-Hall: Second player in the Championship after Adam Armstrong to reach double figures in goals and assists. He seems to be a class above that level. 8
Hermansen: 8
Faes: 8
Doyle: 8
Mavididi: 8
Periera: 8
Vestergaard: 8
McAteer: 8
Substitutes
Praet (for McAteer, 46): 8
Nelson (for Vestergaard, 46): 8
Vardy (for Daka, 70): 8
Justin (for Mavididi, 70): 8