Leicester City cruise to win over Barnsley

Leicester City have opened up an eight-point gap at the top of the Championship as they cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Barnsley thanks to a brace from Jamie Vardy and a strike from Danny Drinkwater.

The Foxes started the game well and were unlucky not to take the lead through Anthony Knockaert, who struck an effort from distance but his shot smacked off the crossbar and bounced clear with Luke Steele beaten.

Nigel Pearson's men continued to press but couldn't find the breakthrough when Riyad Mahrez collected a loose ball inside the area, but his shot was well saved down low by Steele.

Leicester took the lead in the 21st minute when Nugent found Vardy through the middle, and the striker surged into the box before slotting the ball into the corner with a left-footed strike past Steele.

After a spell of Barnsley possession, the visitors managed to hit them on the break and Nugent almost doubled their advantage but his effort was saved.

In the second half, the Foxes quickly doubled their lead when they broke upfield on a swift counter-attack, and Vardy turned provider with a cross for Drinkwater to fire home from close range.

Leicester sealed the game and the three points when Vardy got his second of the match as Mahrez slipped a pass to him and the striker rounded Steele and slotted the ball into the net.

Pearson's team nearly added a fourth late in the game when Matty James lifted a free kick into the penalty area and Chris Wood powered a header at goal, which Steele managed to palm away from goal.