Cardiff City Stun ‘Tired’ Leicester City 1-0

Cardiff City Stun ‘Tired’ Leicester City 1-0

Leicester City manager Claude Puel said “a lot of players were tired” as they slipped to a disappointing home defeat against Cardiff City.

The Foxes had beaten Chelsea and champions Manchester City in their previous two matches, and Puel said it was “normal” that his side should be feeling the effects “in this busy period”.

Leicester had 62% of the possession against Cardiff, but Victor Camarasa’s stunning injury-time strike gave the Bluebirds their first away win of the season.

Against the run of play, the midfielder curled home a 25-yard shot which sailed into the top corner over a flailing Kasper Schmeichel.

Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge had earlier produced an inspired display, including saving James Maddison’s second-half penalty.

When the ball rebounded straight to Maddison, who looked poised to slot home, defender Sol Bamba dived in to turn the ball behind for a corner.

That was symptomatic of a resolute defensive effort from a Cardiff side, who kept their second clean sheet in as many matches.

The Foxes dominated the first half but Etheridge thwarted their best efforts, including denying Jamie Vardy when he went through on goal.

Vardy was later substituted for Kelechi Iheanacho, and Puel said: “I manage my team on what I see and Jamie was tired.

“We tried to find a solution to push on with fresh players giving their best.”

Defeat means Leicester drop to eighth while Cardiff move above Southampton – who host Manchester City on Sunday – into 16th.