Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes produced a second-half masterclass against the Blades with the Nigeria international beating Aaron Ramsdale thrice
Kelechi Iheanacho has recorded his first hat-trick in the Premier League after striking thrice in Leicester City’s 5-0 obliteration of Sheffield United on Sunday.
Having bowed 2-0 to Southampton in their last time out – a result which got Chris Wilder fired – the Blades went to the King Power Stadium with the ambition of returning to winning ways.
Nevertheless, they were blown away by the hosts who are unyielding in their quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Iheanacho put Leicester City up in the 39th minute thanks to Jamie Vardy’s assist. That strike ensured he scored in three consecutive English elite division appearances for the first time.
Also, his last 12 goals in the competition have all come against sides starting the day in the bottom half of the table.
In the 64th minute, Ayoze Perez doubled his side’s advantage after capitalising on some good work from Marc Albrighton.
Four minutes later, the African star got his second of the evening. Vardy latched onto a neat through-ball and showed great awareness with a first-time pass to pick out Iheanacho, who beat goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
He completed his treble in the 78th minute benefitting from a Wilfred Ndidi assist. Collecting the ball 30 yards from goal, he was allowed too much time to take aim before drilling a low shot past a helpless Ramsdale.
Things got worse for Paul Heckingbottom’s side in the 80th minute as Ethan Ampadu unwittingly diverted a shot into his own net.
Thanks to Iheanacho’s heroics, he has now been directly involved in 51 goals (37 goals, 14 assists) in 76 starts in all competitions, for Manchester City and Leicester City combined, since his move to England on the back of an impressive outing at the 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup.
Interestingly, each of the last three hat-tricks in the Premier League have been scored by African players – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against Leeds United, Riyad Mahrez vs Burnley and Iheanacho vs Sheffield United.
With this result, the Foxes moved up to second in the Premier League. As for the Blades, they remain 14 points from safety with just nine matches remaining. (GOAL)
