Championship: Leicester move three points clear at the top

• Birmingham City hosted Championship leaders Leicester City at St Andrew’s Stadium on Monday night
• Leicester needed the win to go three points clear of Ipswich at the top of the table
• The Foxes secured a 3-2 victory in a staggering clash to propel their journey to secure a Premier League return

In a riveting display of skill and determination at St Andrew’s, Leicester City delivered a captivating performance to secure a 3-2 victory over Birmingham City, further solidifying their position at the pinnacle of the Sky Bet Championship with a three-point lead. The match, marked by a cascade of early goals and a palpable sense of intensity, saw Stephy Mavididi emerging as the standout hero with two exquisite goals, all of this transpiring in the conspicuous absence of star striker Jamie Vardy.

The Leicester faithful, keenly aware of the off-field drama involving Vardy’s wife Rebekah and Coleen Rooney, displayed unwavering support for their absent talisman by sporting Jamie Vardy masks. This symbolic gesture underscored the unity within the Leicester fanbase, even in the face of recent controversies that had drawn attention away from the on-field exploits of the team.

As the referee’s whistle echoed across the stadium, signaling the start of the much-anticipated clash, the intensity of the encounter became immediately apparent. Birmingham seized the initiative with an early chance as midfielder Jordan James unleashed a low, bouncing drive that seemed destined for the back of the net. However, Leicester’s Danish goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen, showcased his shot-stopping prowess by deflecting the ball to safety, setting the tone for a night of stellar goalkeeping.

Leicester City attacker Stephy Mavididi celebrates after scoring his second against Birmingham City in a Sky Bet Championship clash on Monday, December 18, 2023. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |

Hermansen’s heroics continued as Blues forced two early saves, with Siriki Dembele’s shot meeting the goalkeeper’s legs and Krystian Bielik’s powerful header from Marc Roberts’ long throw being expertly tipped over the crossbar. The ebb and flow of the game reached a crescendo in the 10th minute when Leicester capitalized on a speedy breakaway following a Blues corner.

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James Justin’s sliced clearance, which cannonaded off the post, initiated a breathtaking counter-attack. Abdul Fatawu seized possession and embarked on a lightning-fast run, finding himself in a two-on-one situation. With composure and finesse, Fatawu squared the ball to Mavididi, who executed a sublime chip over the onrushing John Ruddy, leaving the net rippling in the wake of his classy finish. However, Mavididi’s exuberant celebration, involving climbing the advertising hoarding and goading Birmingham fans, earned him a caution.

The jubilation in the Leicester camp was short-lived as Birmingham responded emphatically, leveling the score at 1-1 in the 15th minute. Jordan James, the orchestrator of much of Birmingham’s attacking play, found the bottom corner with a precision low shot after Dembele had intelligently squared the ball to Ivan Sunjic, who played a pivotal role in the buildup.

Undeterred by the setback, Leicester exhibited resilience and regained the lead in the 22nd minute through another scintillating counter-attack. This time, Ricardo Pereira dispossessed Juninho Bacuna near Leicester’s penalty area, triggering a swift offensive move. Fatawu, once again instrumental, raced toward goal and released Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who rounded Ruddy with poise and slotted the ball into an empty net, marking his seventh goal of the season.

Leicester had further opportunities to extend their lead, notably when Dewsbury-Hall’s deep cross found Patson Daka inside the area. However, the Zambia striker failed to capitalize, firing wide with a first-time effort from seven yards. Daka’s subsequent attempt, a curled shot off-target from an acute angle, added to the visitors’ missed chances.

In the 50th minute, Leicester stretched their lead to 3-1 when Mavididi’s curling shot from 15 yards took a slight deflection, eluding Ruddy’s grasp and finding the back of the net. The visitors were in control, but Birmingham injected late drama into the encounter in the 74th minute. A Jordan James shot deflected off Jannik Vestergaard, narrowing the scoreline to 3-2.

Buoyed by the goal, Birmingham pressed forward, seeking an equalizer. However, Leicester’s defense stood firm, denying their opponents any breakthroughs. The visitors ultimately secured their fourth consecutive victory and extended their unbeaten run to six matches, showcasing a blend of offensive prowess and defensive resilience that positions them as formidable contenders in the Sky Bet Championship.