In-form Leicester City travelled to face Swansea City in the Premier League, as the Foxes aimed for a win to move them to the top of the standings.
Claudio Ranieri's men started brightly and they found themselves 2-0 up at the break, thanks to a first-half brace from Riyad Mahrez.
The winger came back in the second half to complete a standout hat-trick, leaving the visitors to take top spot in the English top flight.
Relive all of the action with our minute-by-minute updates below.
Good afternoon everyone and thank you for joining us as we bring you live text coverage of Swansea City's clash with visiting side Leicester City at the Liberty Stadium in the Premier League.
This fixture represents a battle between two sides whose fortunes could not be further apart as we head into the vital winter period of the season. Swansea have not managed a win in their last four league fixtures, with three of those matches ending in defeat for Garry Monk's charges. The Swans have picked up just three wins so far this term and now occupy 15th spot in the table.
As for Claudio Ranieri's Leicester side, the Foxes have enjoyed a memorable start to the Premier League season. As things stand, Leicester occupy second spot in the standings, and have not lost in their last seven fixtures. Five of those results have ended in victory, while the other two came in the form of hard-earned draws against both Manchester United and Southampton.
Much of the club's success this season has been built around the goal-scoring achievements of frontman Jamie Vardy, who went past the Premier League's record for scoring in consistent games when he scored against United last weekend. The England forward has now scored in 11 straight fixtures and will be hoping to add to that tally today.
The club's ability going forward has been remarkable this season, and they have responded really well to being beaten by Arsenal in September. Leicester now hold the second-best attacking record in the league, having scored 29 goals already - just one less than league leaders Manchester City.
Things could not be more different for the hosts today, however, as Swansea find themselves struggling for goals. As things stand, the team only averages just one goal per game. In fact, Swansea's last three defeats have seen the club unable to get on the scoresheet, while two of the games saw the Swans fall to losses by just a solitary goal.
Swansea's last two games have perhaps showcased that Monk's men are starting to show some fight, though. Having been two goals down against Bournemouth they were able to come back to claim a point two weekends ago. Last Sunday also saw the Swans produce a battling performances before going down to a controversial penalty away at Liverpool.
Speculative talk over Monk's future seems to have dampened in recent weeks and the coach will be hoping that three home points today could end talk of a relegation struggle. The Liberty would surely be the place to do it too, given that two of Swansea's three wins this campaign have come on home soil.
Time for some team news now...
SWANSEA CITY STARTING XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Bartley, Williams, Taylor, Britton, Ki, Sigurdsson, Ayew, Routledge, Gomis
SWANSEA CITY SUBSTITUTES: Nordfeldt, Rangel, Fernandez, Cork, Montero, Barrow, Emnes
LEICESTER CITY STARTING XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Mahrez, Kante, Drinkwater, Albrighton, Ulloa, Vardy
LEICESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Schwarzer, King, Schlupp, Okazaki, Wasilewski, Benalouane, Inler
The hosts have decided to make just one change from the side that lost at Anfield. The injured Eder has been replaced by fellow frontman Bafetimbi Gomis in attack. The Frenchman will be working alongside Wayne Routledge and Andre Ayew, while Ki Sung-yueng, Gylfi Sigurosson and Leon Britton will be aiming to hold the midfield.
The Foxes have made just one change too from the side that earned a point against United. Ranieri has opted to bring in Leonardo Ulloa up top in place of Shinji Okazaki. Vardy continues in attack, while the creative presence of Riyad Mahrez will surely have Swansea on their toes from the off.
Much has been made of the contribution of Vardy and Mahrez in recent weeks, but some thought must go to the work of N'Golo Kante and Daniel Drinkwater in the centre of midfield, who have often been fantastic with their pressing and industry, while also being key to helping launch the club's now infamous counter-attacking moves.
Another thing Swansea will need to be careful of today is Leicester's ability to find new energy in the second half. It has become all too clear already this season that the Foxes can tend to be a second-half side. Swansea might just want to go at the Foxes a little, given that Leicester have shown to often be a touch fragile at the back. Ranieri's success has been based on purely scoring more than the opposition this season. Statistics show that Kasper Schmeichel has kept just two clean sheets in 14 matches, while also letting in 21 goals in the process. Only six other sides in the league have conceded more.
Given the way that things are currently panning out at the Britannia Stadium, a victory for Leicester today would move them to the top of the league standings above City, who are trailing Stoke City by two goals going into the final 10 minutes of that fixture.
This man could be crucial to any success for the visitors this afternoon. He seems to be scoring regardless of countless injuries that seem to be hitting his body. Here is a quick snap of the in-form Vardy arriving at the stadium a little earlier today:
Swansea will need to be careful in the coming weeks, as both Sunderland and Norwich City have also shown signs of revival down at the foot of the table. If the club continues to produce winless results, they could be right down in the mix during a busy Christmas period.
Who would have guessed that the Foxes would be unbeaten away from home this season going into December? Leicester have now won four of their seven games away from the King Power Stadium this campaign, without being beaten on the road.
Here is a quote from Ranieri a little earlier speaking about his decision to include Ulloa in his starting XI: "I want to see Leo, because the last time he started he scored. Okazaki played well last week and could come on later."
For those of you wanting to add another dimension to the build-up of this fixture, we have put together an individual podcast discussing the fixture at the Liberty. Just hit play below and enjoy...
Monk has been confident in recent weeks that his side are starting to turn things around. Here is what the coach has had to say during his programme notes:
"Leicester are the form team at this moment and deserve to be at the top. Today's opposition will provide us with a difficult task. Last week was a very good performance against an excellent team. I felt gutted for the players because I thought we were excellent.
"I felt we took a big step forward as a team and it has given confidence to the players to move forward. We are confident it is only a matter of time before results turn. To do that we need to keep on repeating last week's performance."
Gomis has a huge game ahead of him today. The striker has only been included due to the injury to Eder, and that is no surprise given that the Frenchman has not scored in 11 fixtures for the club. The towering striker has already proven that he can be a real handful, but he will have it all to do this afternoon if he wants to turn around a run of poor form.
Given Leicester's remarkable start, some sections of press have alluded to the club achieving European football this term. Here is what Ranieri has had to say in response to those suggestions: "The project of the chairman this year is to save Leicester and the next year slowly to achieve the high position. We want to go into Europe... but we must keep our feet on the ground and continue to think about our goal. The fans can dream, but not us."
Some rather remarkable statistics show that the last eight league and cup games between these sides have been won by the home team - a run that goes all the way back to 1986. Last season in the Premier League, each side won at home with a 2-0 victory. Could this be Swansea's day?
Swansea will still have it all today regardless of those stats, though, as City are the only side in the league who have scored in every game so far this season. More attention will be on Vardy today too, given that he is attempting to equal the English top-flight record set by Sheffield United's Jimmy Dunne in the 1931-32 season.
We have just over five minutes to go until kickoff and it is time for me to make a prediction. I just cannot see beyond Leicester this afternoon given their record going forward, as well as their form when travelling on the road this season. Swansea have not had enough goals in them of late, and if they are able to score one, that might not be enough against a high-scoring Foxes side. Leicester should steal this 2-1.
The players are now out on the pitch and we should be underway shortly...
City have lost at the Britannia, so that should add some real incentive for Leicester to push home for three points now. A win would send the Foxes top after 15 games!
KICKOFF! Swansea get us underway featuring in their home white kit, while Leicester play in all back at the Liberty. The ball is moved to the back, where it is lumped forward into the path of Gomis, who is unable to control.
Leicester get their first chance to break forward at pace, but Vardy is eventually hounded out by three Swansea men battling back to recover in defence. The atmosphere is already a cracking one in Wales.
Swansea aim to get Routledge down the right flank. The winger has the beating of his full-back, although the cross into the middle is rather poor and Leicester are able to win a goal kick.
GOAL! SWANSEA CITY 0-1 LEICESTER CITY (RIYAD MAHREZ)
Vardy is certainly up for this! The frontman is quick along the Swansea back line and is able to win a cheap corner. The ball is whipped into the front post, where Mahrez is battling for space. Gomez misses his defensive header and the ball seemingly comes off the arm or back of Mahrez and ends up falling beyond the reach of Fabianski. Odd goal, but wonderful pressure from Vardy to win the corner.
Swansea have it all to do now, especially given that the Foxes are bound to grow stronger as the game progresses. The home side are trying to pass things around, but Leicester's pressing has been superb thus far and they are forcing errors from the hosts.
Leicester win a free kick just inside the Swansea half, where Mahrez is left to swing in a ball just beyond the defence for the run of Albrighton. The winger almost has enough to make the touch to bring the move under control, but the ball runs out of play for a goal kick. More quick thinking there from the visitors...
Swansea aim to come back through Taylor down the left flank, but his dinked ball into the middle is cleared away for the hosts' first corner. The ball is deep, leaving Schmeichel to punch clear.
Leicester continue to press intensely, but Swansea have just started to knit a few good passes together. Nothing much to speak of from the hosts going forward at the moment, though.
SAVE! Ki combines well with Taylor on the left channel, but Leicester come back to snatch possession. The ball is slipped through into Vardy, who finds himself one-on-one with Fabianski. The striker looks certain to find the net, but he is denied by a strong stop from the keeper in the centre of goal.
Swansea launch a push down the right channel, where Gomis is then able to flick a smart ball beyond the defence for the run of Naughton. The cross just about evades a lingering Ayew, however, and Leicester are able to clear their lines. The hosts are starting to put together some momentum.
Leicester seem content with waiting for the counter at the moment, they have been soaking up the home side's pressure, but we are still waiting for some major movements in the final thirds at both ends of the pitch.
GOAL! SWANSEA CITY 0-2 LEICESTER CITY (RIYAD MAHREZ)
Pure brilliance! Swansea get the chance to lift a ball into the box through Sigurosson, leaving Schmeichel to hoof clear into the path of Vardy. The striker takes one touch to lay the ball down for Kante, who then chips a delightful ball into the path of a forward-pushing Mahrez. The winger might be offside, but he keeps his head to tuck beyond the Swansea stopper without a defender in sight. Terrible marking from the hosts, but standout counter attacking from the Foxes.
CHANCE! More pressing sees Leicester win the ball straight back and launch another stunning move down the right channel through Mahrez. The winger has the goal in sight with Vardy totally unmarked inside the box, but instead he opts for the hat-trick before seeing his shot saved smartly by Fabianski. Swansea are simply falling apart at the moment.
A goal could change this for Swansea, but they look bereft of ideas going forward. They are aiming to move things down the flanks, only to find the Leicester box underpopulated by their attacking players. Gomis is going to need to step up and quickly.
CHANCE! A corner is turned into the Swansea box, leaving Fabianski to come haring out and miss the ball completely. It looks like Morgan might just lash the ball home, but the whistle goes for a foul inside the area. The hosts are hanging on by a threat as things stand.
Swansea are enjoying a rare period of possession, but seem to just be breaking down at the vital moment. The hosts' confidence looks shot when they reach the final third of the pitch. Taylor tries his best to force the issue down the left, leaving Leicester to move across with the press and put a foot on the danger.
Ulloa turns wonderfully to win a free kick off Britton in a dangerous area around 25 yards out from goal. The ball is passed into Albrighton down the right, who delivers a smart cross into the middle that somehow evades everyone. Swansea were caught napping there, once again.
CHANCE! Routledge does really well to keep the play in inside the Foxes half, but Leicester snatch the ball back and force another break away through Ulloa. The striker has Vardy in space to the right, but instead goes alone with a run into the box, before curling a rather poor shot wide of the far post. Vardy was clearly the better option and he looks a touch miffed to say the least. This could be 5-0...
Nothing seems likely to come of any Swansea possession as they just have too few people inside the Leicester box. Monk might need to change his approach after the break. Leicester are cruising here and they have not yet moved out of second gear.
Two minutes of additional time at the Liberty...
HALF TIME: SWANSEA CITY 0-2 LEICESTER CITY
So the referee calls half time as the boos ring down upon the Swansea players after a particularly poor first-half showing. They have been undone by some tame defending and smart counter-attacking, but have not offered anything going forward. Leicester have not even been at their clinical best, and could already be five or six goals to the good.
Mahrez has been the standout player with his position in the first period, but he might feel a little frustrated at not yet finding a hat-trick. His teammates might be a little peeved too, as they often presented better options when he found himself through on goal. As it stands, they have a telling two-goal lead, although they should be home and dry already.
The two goals that have gone in have come directly from the industry of Vardy. The striker won the corner for the first goal out of nothing, before producing a brilliant touch to establish a counter attack for the second. The frontman should really have a goal for himself too, having shot straight at Fabianski before being passed up on two standout occasions by his teammates.
Given the way Swansea are approaching this, Mahrez will be confident of grabbing a hat-trick in the second half...
Swansea have applied very little pressure on the Leicester defence and they will need to be more direct if they want to salvage something from this. Monk might benefit from going two up top to really test Morgan and company in the final period.
As things stand, Leicester find themselves at the top of the table. Unsurprisingly, United have been unable to break the deadlock at home to West Ham United, leaving Ranieri and company in charge in the standings midway through the league's 15th fixture.
The players are now preparing to come back out on to the pitch and we should be back moving again in the next couple of minutes in Wales.
KICKOFF! Leicester get things going again, but the Swans quickly regain possession. Montero has been introduced at the break as the hosts aim to give themselves a kick up the backside.
OFF THE BAR! Leicester concede a cheap free kick, which is swung toward the back-post. Ki leaps highest and sends his header towards the top corner, only for the forward man to see his effort come back off the bar.
That was the 10th time Swansea that have been denied by the woodwork this term. The hosts have improved already in the second period and are now moving the ball around with more purpose as they go in search of a route back into the contest.
Swansea get another free kick in a good position, and the ball into the box causes all sorts of problems. Ulloa finds himself in the right area, though, and he is able to head away. Mahrez comes away on the counter and opts for the wild shot instead of finding one of two options over to his left. Another wasted chance for the winger. Far too greedy!
Montero has impacted proceedings already and he almost plays Sigurdsson in for a standout goal, only for the midfielder to fire over the bar from just inside the Leicester box. At least the home side are now starting to create things...
Leicester will not mind this too much, as they work best on the counter anyway. Swansea will need to take one of these chances quickly if they want to be able to get back into this. Drinkwater now shows his worth in the middle for the visitors having mopped up to prevent a Swans counter.
CLOSE! Here we go... Kante picks up possession in the middle and gallops forward into space. He has Vardy on the left and Mahrez on the right. The midfielder picks out Vardy, but the pass is over hit and Fabianksi is able to gather at the vital moment.
With just under 30 minutes to play now you get the sense that the next goal could be vital. Vardy wants this for Leicester and is able to win another cheap corner with some strong pressing. The set-piece comes to nothing, though, leaving Swansea to head clear.
Swansea fans will be asking why Montero did not start today. The winger pushes down the left before turning a ball into the area, where Barrows wins a free kick on the edge of the box. The chance sees Swansea eventually win a corner, which is soon hooked clearly by Ulloa.
GOAL! SWANSEA CITY 0-3 LEICESTER CITY (RIYAD MAHREZ)
Kante is some player, isn't he? The midfielder charges forward on another break, before moving a wonderful ball into the feet of Vardy in the centre of the area. The striker has his wits about him as he rolls his defender to then slip a simple pass into the path of Mahrez on the overlap. The winger takes one touch before lashing beyond Fabianksi to claim his hat-trick! I doubt he would have been as selfless as Vardy if the move was reversed, though...
YELLOW CARD! Simpson goes into the book for some foul play to help hold up a Swansea break.
Drinkwater has been a sensation today - he has been at the centre of all of Leicester's attacking moves. He just sits in the middle and makes the mopping-up job look so, so easy. He has been everywhere this afternoon.
CHANCE! Drinkwater loops a brilliant ball over the top for the run of Vardy, who breaks beyond the shoulder of his marker to collect the ball neatly. The striker just has the keeper to beat, but can only fire horribly over the bar. That historical English top flight record could be gone soon if he is not able to find his shooting boots in the next 15 minutes.
CHANCE! More standout movement from Vardy sees the striker break free into the Swansea area. The angle is incredibly tight, leaving the frontman to fire his shot into the side-netting.
CHANCE! A piece of poor defending from Wes Morgan allows Gomis to break in behind. Luckily for the Foxes, Schmeichel is able to stand firm in the centre of goal and parry the forward's shot away from danger. Title winners in the making?
SUBSTITUTION: Jack Cork comes on to replace Ki in the middle of the park for Swansea, who have now made their final change this afternoon.
Vardy has shown today that despite not getting on the scoresheet just yet, he has been able to influence the game in all sorts of different ways with his running, movement and sheer determination. You'd have to think that some of Europe's biggest clubs might come knocking in January...
Ulloa makes a tidy run in behind and he thinks that he has been able to win a corner as he looks over to the linesman. The referee changes the decision, however, and Swansea get away with a goal kick.
CLOSE! Another corner comes flying in for the hosts, who have lacked so much cutting edge today, leaving captain Williams to head clean over the bar despite climbing highest inside the box.
CHANCE! Ayew has the chance to give Swansea a consolation, but the Leicester stopper does brilliantly to parry away the forward's volley at the back-post.
SUBSTITUTION: Leicester make their first change of the game as Ulloa is replaced by Andy King up top.
Huth is claiming a penalty inside the Swansea box as the Foxes go in search of a fourth goal, but the referee decides on giving a corner. Swansea soon hoof clear, but that will not prevent yet another loss for Monk's men.
We are going to have three minutes of additional time at the Liberty...
YELLOW CARD! Albrighton goes into the book for a poor foul just inside the Swansea half...
FULL TIME: SWANSEA CITY 0-3 LEICESTER CITY
The referee brings an end to another torrid afternoon for Monk's men, who have been undone by some counter-attacking brilliance from Leicester. Mahrez has the hat-trick and the visitors might have even scored more this afternoon had they not been so wasteful in front of goal. Leicester now move top of the table after 15 games played - amazing stuff! That is going to be all from me today, take care...
amp_article__260684 : Database Data restored... :
last updated article - 2015-12-05 17:32:14:
html db last update - 2015-12-05 17:32:14 :
ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Read more about Garry Monk N'Golo Kante Daniel Drinkwater Claudio Ranieri Jamie Vardy Eder Wayne Routledge Andre Ayew Ki Sung-yueng Gylfi Sigurosson Leon Britton Bafetimbi Gomis Shinji Okazaki Leonardo Ulloa Riyad Mahrez Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Page options▽△
Premier League Table
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Liverpool | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 8 | 16 | 31 |
| 2 | Manchester CityMan City | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 23 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 22 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 12 | 9 | 22 |
| 5 | Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 16 | 5 | 22 |
| 6 | Tottenham HotspurSpurs | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 27 | 13 | 14 | 19 |
| 7 | Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 13 | 2 | 19 |
| 8 | Aston Villa | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 9 | Fulham | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 18 |
| 10 | Newcastle UnitedNewcastle | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 18 |
| 11 | Brentford | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 17 |
| 12 | Manchester UnitedMan Utd | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 16 |
| 13 | Bournemouth | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 17 | -1 | 15 |
| 14 | West Ham UnitedWest Ham | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 19 | -4 | 15 |
| 15 | Everton | 12 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 11 |
| 16 | Leicester CityLeicester | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 23 | -8 | 10 |
| 17 | Wolverhampton WanderersWolves | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 28 | -8 | 9 |
| 18 | Ipswich TownIpswich | 12 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 23 | -10 | 9 |
| 19 | Crystal Palace | 12 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 8 |
| 20 | Southampton | 12 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 24 | -15 | 4 |
Scroll for more - Tap for full version
Subscribe to our newsletter
Scroll for more - Tap for full version
