Vipotnik strike deepens Leicester’s relegation fears

After a week in which Leicester lost their appeal against their six-point deduction, boss Gary Rowett made one change from the side which drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday last time out, as Jannik Vestergaard was handed a start for the first time since January.

Swansea, who made three changes from their 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough, struggled to create any meaningful chances in the first half – though they did have a strong appeal for a penalty waved away after Luke Thomas’ diving tackle on Gustavo Nunes.

The hosts came inches away from opening the scoring after 28 minutes, as Patson Daka’s back-heel pass found captain Pereira, whose effort clipped the outside of the post on its way wide.

Lawrence Vigoroux twice denied Daka, first from a header and then a powerful volley, as Leicester began to dominate.

An error at the back from Sam Parker gifted Abdul Fatawu a one-on-one opportunity with Vigoroux, but the Ghana international put his effort wide.

The one time Leicester did beat the Swansea goalkeeper, Vipotnik was back on his own line to clear away Skipp’s strike just before half time.

And it was into the same net that Vipotnik made his second telling contribution of the game, powering an effort off the underside of the crossbar after an excellent counter attack lead by Eom.

The Foxes brought on former Swansea striker Jordan Ayew and ex-Cardiff forward Bobby De Cordova-Reid – both welcomed to the field by a chorus of boos from the travelling supporters – as they went in search of an equaliser.

De Cordova-Reid almost had the desired impact, as his cross was met by Jamaal Lascelles, but the former Newcastle defender could only steer his header wide.

Defeat for Leicester, combined with wins for both Oxford and Portsmouth, made it a troubling day for the hosts.