Leicester City 1-2 Middlesbrough: Finn Azaz and Sammy Silvera give Boro victory over Foxes

Runaway Championship leaders Leicester City noticed their lead reduce to 9 factors as Middlesbrough ended a four-game winless run with a shocking victory on the King Power Stadium.

Leicester, who went shut by Jannik Vestergaard and Patson Daka earlier than falling behind, piled ahead on the resumption.

And the introduction of Tom Canon at half-time, Kasey McAteer and former England striker Jamie Vardy with slightly below half-hour remaining, lastly introduced reward.

Having smashed an excellent likelihood over the bar, Vardy raced on to Canon’s cross to blast in his twelfth purpose of the season.

But regardless of persevering with to dominate, the Foxes couldn’t break by for a second time as their four-game profitable run come to an finish with a shock first home defeat since November.

The loss offers in-form Leeds United – 2-0 victors over Plymouth Argyle – an enormous increase forward of the tantalising assembly of the league’s prime two on Friday night.

For all their stress, Leicester didn’t handle an try on the right track till the evergreen Vardy’s usually cool end with 5 minutes remaining.

But a loud home crowd, assured of watching a fifth consecutive win and a 14th victory from 17 home fixtures this season, appeared to have little to be involved about because the Foxes matched that perception with a well-recognized, dominant begin.

Vestergaard headed an honest likelihood into the aspect netting on the again put up from a nook, Daka was additionally astray with a very good headed alternative, whereas winger Abdul Fatawu had a goal-bound try properly blocked by Matt Clarke.

But Boro’s breakaway plans and cautious techniques paid off with their first try on purpose on 24 minutes, Lewis O’Brien racing by and squaring the ball to Azaz to calmly discover the highest nook for his second purpose in six video games following the attacking midfielder’s transfer from Aston Villa.

A second Boro purpose from two efforts on the right track arrived simply earlier than the break because the guests made essentially the most of some sloppy passing to interrupt at tempo. Riley McGree was the supplier, teeing up Silvera to blast in his second purpose in three video games.

Michael Carrick’s Boro aspect remained harmful on the counter-attack however Leicester regrouped after the break, and posed an rising menace.

Daka went shut for a second time and, after Vardy’s uncharacteristic miss, Vestergaard additionally shot wastefully over from shut vary.

Vardy lastly acquired the Leicester radar working to carry late hope when his low shot discovered he backside nook, however Boro survived the 5 remaining minutes – plus 4 minutes of harm time – to safe a league double over their hosts, who scored with their solely two efforts on the right track.

Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca informed BBC Radio Leicester:

“It’s a disgrace. We created many, many possibilities however ultimately we dropped factors. We completed 0-2 within the first half however we did not deserve that. After the primary purpose we misplaced some steadiness.

“We managed the sport fairly properly and once they sat again, we wanted extra high quality and to be extra correct with the final cross in attack.

“It is a type of days. We missed possibilities and did not hit the goal from six yards. The vital factor is to be within the sport till the top.

“It is irritating however you can not win each sport.”

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick informed BBC Radio Tees:

“So a lot has gone has towards us and issues maintain getting somewhat bit tougher. But the larger the problem, the larger the sense of accomplishment and I believed the boys have been unimaginable.

“Tactically we have been good, the spirit was good. We have been targeted. We knew we’d get possibilities to attain and with the probabilities we had we have been scientific and we may have had one or two extra.

“Up till the final 10 minutes we defended magnificently and did not give them an excessive amount of, nevertheless it acquired somewhat bit stretched and chaotic as you’d count on.

“I can’t be extra proud. Credit to the boys. It exhibits what we’re able to doing, however consistency is vital.”