Leicester registered their first Premiership victory of the season last night with an emphatic performance that brought a shambolic Leeds outfit to their knees.
Two goals from the Scottish international striker Paul Dickov laid the foundations for the crushing victory after the French midfielder Lilian Nalis had set the Foxes on their way with a spectacular first-half volley. A bullet-header from James Scowcroft wrapped up proceedings in the final minute.
Leeds sent out five loan-signings compared with Leicester's one. The visitors' quintet included two debutants: the French full back Didier Domi and the Brazilian centre-back Roque Junior.
Leicester had a debutant of their own in Marcus Bent.
Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson was given no chance to intervene when Nalis put the Foxes in front with a contender for goal of the season, let alone the month.
The Frenchman, signed on a free transfer from the Italian side Chievo, has been likened to the former Foxes favourite Robbie Savage - mainly because of his flowing locks and the number eight on his shirt. It is unlikely, however, that Savage ever executed the type of spectacular left-footed volley that Nalis curled past Robinson in the 20th minute.
It was the least Mickey Adams' team deserved after a positive start; likewise their second three minutes later when Dickov, set up by Bent's headed knock on, fired right-footed past Robinson from the edge of the area.
If the Leeds manager Peter Reid gave any instructions to his central defensive pairing of Roque Junior and Zoumana Camara during the interval, they went unheeded.
As in the first period, the pair gave the impression of a couple on a blind date. Their lack of understanding and knowledge of each other's game was typified when Robinson had to scamper off his line and, with Bent bearing down on him, head a loose ball to safety.
Guardian Service
LEICESTER: Walker, Sinclair, Thatcher, Taggart, Curtis, Nalis, Hignett (Stewart 77), Izzet, Scowcroft, Dickov (Impey 86), Bent (Deane 75). Subs Not Used: Coyne, Howey. Goals: Nalis 20, Dickov 23, 83, Scowcroft 90.
LEEDS: Robinson, Kelly, Camara, Roque Junior (Radebe 81), Domi (Olembe 54), Pennant, Morris, Seth Johnson, Sakho (Lennon 69), Viduka, Smith. Subs Not Used: Carson, Batty. Booked: Domi, Roque Junior.
Referee: J Winter (Cleveland).
