Georginio Rutter strikes as Leeds halt leaders Leicester’s winning streak

Georginio Rutter earned Leeds a 1-0 victory against the runaway Championship leaders Leicester as Daniel Farke’s side took another step towards challenging the top two.

The result leaves Leicester 11 points clear of Leeds in third place, but this will be seen as a statement victory against a side who have dominated the division this season.

Abdul Fatawu hit the crossbar in the first half and the Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier produced a superb save to keep out a stoppage-time header from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. But Leicester had just one shot on target while suffering their second home defeat of the campaign.

Leicester had been chasing a 10th successive victory and were looking to equal the best-ever start to a second-tier season since Bristol City in the 1905-06 season.

But Leeds took on Enzo Maresca’s side head-on and they were rewarded when Rutter netted after 57 minutes with a goal that proved to be the winner.

Leicester found themselves under pressure early on, something they have not been used to at the King Power Stadium this season.

Joël Piroe carved out space in the Leicester area after only two minutes, but he curled his shot wide of the target.

Leicester began to find some momentum and the game suddenly switched from one end to the other. Fatawu raced in from the right and unleashed a powerful shot which shook the crossbar while, at the other end, Crysencio Summerville went down under pressure from Ricardo Pereira but referee Dean Whitestone waved away appeals for a penalty.

Leeds continued to put pressure on Leicester after the break and goalkeeper Mads Hermansen could only parry a Piroe shot, but there was no-one to take advantage of the loose ball.

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The deadlock was broken when a Daniel James corner was met by Sam Byram’s header. Hermansen blocked the effort but the ball fell into Rutter’s path and he scored from close range for his third of the season.

Leeds threatened a second with 17 minutes to go as James broke clear, but his low drive was smothered by Hermansen.

Leicester laid siege to the Leeds goal in the closing stages, but could not find the equaliser.