Andy King scored a goal in each half as Leicester extended their unbeaten run to six games after thrashing Barnsley 4-1 at the Walkers Stadium.
Paul Gallagher opened the scoring after fifteen minutes with a fine shot from distance before Andy King’s clever chip over Tykes’ keeper Luke Steele doubled Leicester’s advantage.
Jacob Mellis pulled a goal back for Barnsley on the stroke of half-time, but King restored the Foxes’ two goal advantage just before the hour mark.
Kyle Naughton wrapped up a resounding victory with a 30 yard thunderbolt later on as Leicester continued their climb up the Championship table.
The win extended Leicester’s unbeaten home record in the Championship since the arrival of Sven-Goran Eriksson - celebrating his birthday today - back in October and kept their playoff push very much alive.
The match saw the return of Paul Gallagher to the starting line-up after picking up an injury in Leicester’s Carling Cup replay against Manchester City last month.
It only took fifteen minutes for the striker to make an impact on the game when his powerful shot from 25 yards flew into the top corner – despite goalkeeper Luke Steele getting a hand to the ball.
The goal sprung the game into life following a lacklustre opening quarter of an hour as Danny Haynes had a shot charged down by loan defender Ben Mee moments after.
At the other end, Richie Wellens played a nice one-two pass with Darius Vassell before the midfielder’s shot was well blocked by the Tykes’ backline.
Luke Steele then did well to prevent a second Leicester goal after Yakubu was played in behind the defence – the goalkeeper bravely diving out to collect the ball.
Vassell was then cynically fouled by Diego Arismendi after the former England international went on a storming run on goal before Patrick Van Aanholt’s subsequent free kick rattled the crossbar.
Just after the hour mark, Ben Mee made a crucial clearing header after Barnsley’s Matt Hill played a tempting ball into the Foxes’ penalty area.
Bobby Hassell’s shot from distance then had Chris Weale at full stretch in the Leicester goal after the Foxes failed to close down.
Barnsley maintained good possession towards the end of the first half, but found themselves 2-0 down when Andy King cleverly chipped the ball over Luke Steele from twelve yards after his initial shot was blocked.
It was the Welshman’s twelfth goal of the campaign and demonstrated the finesse possessed by the Leicester academy product.
Moments later, Frank Nouble – on loan from West Ham – had a goal disallowed for offside for Barnsley with Leicester defence temporarily switched off.
But Barnsley were handed a lifeline when Jacob Mellis pulled a goal back from just inside the penalty area in first-half injury time after the Foxes struggled to deal with a loose ball.
Nouble then came close to equalising before the break after he took the ball round Chris Weale, but Kyle Naughton was on hand to clear the ball off the line to prevent a certain goal.
After the break, Leicester continued to threaten from distance as Paul Gallagher and Richie Wellens both came close with long range shots.
But it was Barnsley who enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession, testing the Foxes in midfield and threatening from both flanks.
Andy King then caught the Tykes out at the back just before the hour mark when he picked up on a poor pass and carried the ball 30 yards before curling a smart finish into the bottom corner for his second – and Leicester’s third - goal of the game.
Leicester continued to pepper the Barnsley goal through Paul Gallagher before some tidy passing between Yakubu and substitute Lloyd Dyer set Richie Wellens up – but his shot flew straight into the path of Luke Steele.
Leicester looked comfortable for the most part having restored their two goal cushion although Mark Robins’ side continued to attack through Danny Haynes who nearly latched onto a long ball – but Chris Weale was on hand to thwart the former Bristol City man.
With less than ten minutes remaining, Lloyd Dyer played a scintillating through ball to Yakubu; however the Everton loanee was unable to get the ball out from under his feet which allowed Luke Steele to make another save for Barnsley.
Substitute Matt Oakley then had a ferocious shot tipped away by Steele, but the goalkeeper could do nothing about Leicester’s fourth goal; a stunning 30 yard strike from Kyle Naughton which flew into the top corner.
It was the full-back’s third goal of the season and was a clear example of the ability possessed by the on-loan Tottenham youngster.
The final whilst indicated another home win for Leicester who climbed to eighth in the Championship – just three points outside the playoffs as Sven’s men continued their fine form at the Walkers Stadium.
Man of the Match – Andy King
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