Casey McAteer scored a superb late winner as Leicester City beat Rotherham United to extend their perfect start to the Championship season and move two points off the top of the table.
The academy product put the Foxes ahead, heading past goalkeeper Viktor Johansson at the back post after a brilliant run and a cross from Kelechi Iheanacho.
Rotherham, who had an early Jordan Hugill header disallowed by a foul, quickly equalized just after half-time when Fred Oneidinma headed home.
But McAteer showed great touch and composure to chip in and seal victory with six minutes remaining.
Relegation in the Championship wasn’t much of a problem for Leicester, as this success secured their fourth successive win to start the season for the first time in their history.
Not even Nigel Pearson’s record-breaking 2013-14 side, who finished with 31 wins and 102 points in the Second Division, could achieve such a feat, winning three and drawing once in their unbeaten streak before losing. against Charlton in the fifth game.
It was a difficult result for the Millers, who produced a performance of desire and constant threat in the second half.
But they could easily have trailed by two or three goals after an impressive first 45 minutes from Enzo Maresca’s side, who have now won five of their five matches in all competitions.
Apart from McAteer’s opener, Rotherham defender Tyler Blackett parried Stevie Mavididi’s shot, who also missed a great chance before half-time, while Ricardo Pereira tested Johansson with a powerful shot from distance.
A dynamic start for the hosts in the second half led to a flurry of corner kicks, and after Andre Green had headed wide from a Cafu set-piece, the hosts doubled the pressure in the 53rd minute when Green crossed for Onidinma, who headed home. . far corner.
Both sides had chances in an increasingly open game before McAteer swept the ball in with his left foot and volleyed a fine shot into the far corner.
Rotherham almost grabbed a point but substitute Tom Ives couldn’t head home a Dexter Lembekisa cross.
Rotherham manager Matt Taylor:
“We’re feeling a little sore now. With the exception of the first 45 minutes in Stoke, we competed and showed signs of being a really good team, but we didn’t get the points we deserved.
“We competed with one of the best teams in the league. They had more on the field and on the bench. People talked about what it was like in terms of opposition levels but that’s irrelevant – we have to be.” Where we need to be and that’s the front team.
“I spoke with the officials and this [Hugill’s header] It was rejected for two reasons. Goalkeeper foul and offside. Both were marginal. If this is a mistake, a lot of free kicks will be gained. But what happened at that moment does not excuse them from not focusing on their goal.
“It was a perfect goal from their point of view but a bad one from our point of view. The second goal was a mirror image. It just turned us off. A few moments let us down and went against us.”
Leicester City coach Enzo Maresca:
“I was very happy with Casey, because of the two goals and also the way he works without the ball. He helps a lot.
“He works in the right way and helps us. I’m happy for him and the academy.
“I really like him, not only because he scores. I like the way he works and sacrifices. He helps a lot without the ball. He’s an important player.
“It was a very good performance. They scored a lot of goals from set pieces, Cafu’s pass is incredible. I think we were very good defensively. We fought in the right way.”