Spectacular strikes from Jordan James and Abdul Fatawu, followed by Jannik Vestergaard’s late header, gave Leicester City a 3-1 victory at Swansea City that ended their run of draws and sent them up to third in the Championship table. James’ first-half curler put the Foxes in front, Adam Idah’s penalty hauled Swansea level with 20 minutes to play, but Fatawu’s stunning response and Vestergaard’s close-range finish ensured the points went back to the Midlands.
For long spells, though, this was a fiercely competitive contest rather than a procession. Leicester’s Premier League-hardened side controlled the opening quarter, Swansea’s aggressive pressing and substitutions dragged them back into the game, and at 1-1 it felt anyone’s to win. In the final 20 minutes Marti Cifuentes’ team found another gear, showcasing the long-range shooting philosophy their head coach advocates and underlining why home boss Alan Sheehan believes they may be the strongest side in the division.
James strikes early as Foxes seize control
Leicester arrived in south Wales on the back of four successive draws and intent on making a statement. They started accordingly, pushing high and moving the ball crisply, with Wales midfielder Jordan James signalling his intent inside eight minutes by latching onto a misplaced header and flashing a snapshot over the bar. It was an early warning Swansea did not heed.