Championship leaders Leicester City defeated Sunderland 1-0 thanks to a header from Jamie Vardy in the first half, maintaining their hopes of winning the title.
The Foxes entered the game having suffered three straight league losses, which reduced their lead at the top of the table from twelve points to just three.
Yet in a lackluster match at the Stadium of Light, Vardy’s 10th goal of the year—a headed finish following a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall free kick from the left—saw them through.
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After losing five straight games, the Black Cats dropped out of the play-off positions to finish in 10th place, ten points outside of the top six.
Additionally, they have dropped every game since interim head coach Mike Dodds took over for Michael Beale, who was fired after just 12 games.
Despite a lacklustre performance by Leicester and a game where neither team had many clear opportunities, Enzo Maresca’s team faced a major test following a slump in play that looked to be a procession to the Championship title.
After allowing late goals and squandering significant opportunities in their preceding three games, City’s defence was unwavering, as goalie Mads Hermansen made vital stops from Luke O’Nien and Trai Hume before halftime.
They had the strong finisher they needed in Vardy, given the Foxes’ track record.
They got the strong finisher they needed in Vardy, as the record goalscorer for the Foxes nodded in after custodian Anthony Patterson expertly saved Wout Faes’ header from Dewsbury-Hall’s cross.
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There was late drama when Sunderland’s strong penalty requests were denied by referee Sunny Sukhvir Gill after Dan Ballard went over while being pushed by Leicester defender Hamza Choudhury.
In the battle for automatic promotion, the Foxes managed to hold on and win, moving them three points clear of second-place Ipswich and five points clear of third-place Leeds.
