Two second-half goals from Paul Gallagher helped Leicester City to a resounding victory this afternoon as they thrashed Burnley to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Diomansky Kamara put the Foxes ahead midway through the first half, before Paul Gallagher doubled the lead in the second-half from the penalty spot after Kamara was fouled.
Gallagher netted again with twenty minutes ago with a long-range strike before Patrick Van Aanholt added a fourth to put the game out of sight.
It was an emphatic victory for Sven-Goran Erikkson’s men, who had seen their playoff aspirations fall by the wayside after winning just one out of the last six games.
But Erikkson will have been delighted with his side’s performance this afternoon; a result leaving them ninth in the Championship – five points behind sixth-placed Leeds.
Burnley, however, had the first real chance on goal when Aston Villa loanee Nathan Delfouneso’s strike took a deflection that almost deceived Chris Weale.
But Leicester soon found their feet and came close when excellent footwork from Yakubu in the Burnley penalty area set up Andy King at the near post, but the Welsh international could not get enough power on his shot to beat Brian Jensen.
Leicester were ahead minutes later when Yakubu – who was dominant against Burnley’s backline - broke into the penalty area before on-loan striker Diomansky Kamara took the ball off his feet and slotting past Brian Jensen.
It was a perfect start for the Senegalese international on his home debut for the Foxes – and indicative of his quick movement and excellent first touch.
Burnley rarely threatened the Leicester defence in the first-half but did struggle to deal with the power and presence of Yakubu and Kamara – two Premier League strikers who put on a scintillating display all afternoon.
Kamara continued to torment the visitors, turning the defence inside out before firing a powerful shot that was blocked inside the penalty area.
Burnley looked to take it to the home side after the break and might have found themselves level when Chris Weale initially spilled Nathan Delfouneso’s cross before recovering.
But moments later, Leicester were awarded a penalty when Andre Bikey felled Kamara in the penalty area after wonderful build-up play by Yakubu.
Paul Gallagher stepped up to power the ball past Brian Jensen – who might have done better from the spot kick – doubling the Foxes’ lead and giving Sven’s men a little breathing room.
Leicester began to play with real confidence and it was not long before Burnley were caught napping at the back again when Kamara played a through ball in towards Yakubu – and were it not for a last ditch challenge by Michael Duff, the Foxes may have been even further ahead.
Andre Bikey headed over from a free-kick in a rare Burnley attack with under half an hour to go before Patrick Van Aanholt tore down the left flank before cutting the ball back to Andy King on the edge of the box – but his shot was well closed down Bikey.
Leicester put the game out of sight with twenty minutes remaining when Patrick Van Aanholt found Paul Gallagher in plenty of space who set himself up for a superb low drive into the bottom corner for his second – and the hosts’ third - goal of the game.
Patrick Van Aanholt added a fourth with ten minutes remaining with an excellent curling effort from outside the penalty area after a fine layoff by Andy King.
It was the Dutchman’s first goal for Leicester since joining the club on loan from Chelsea, and was no more than he deserved after an outstanding performance both in attack and defence.
Leicester had chances to make the scoreline even more emphatic as Richie Wellens blasted a volley from distance against the post, and a fingertip save by Brian Jensen denied Paul Gallagher his hat-trick just minutes later.
Nathan Delfouneso fired high and wide in injury time – an effort that summed up Burnley’s afternoon in a match in which they were completely dominated.
The final whistle put Eddie Howe’s men out of their misery and issued a message to the rest of the chasing pack that Sven-Goran Erikkson’s men are still a threat in the playoff race.
Man of the Match – Diomansky Kamara
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