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2017/2018 English Premier League
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PA Sport 6y

Leicester bounce back to thrash sorry West Bromwich Albion

Alan Pardew is on the brink at West Bromwich Albion after the Baggies capitulated to a damaging 4-1 defeat at home to Leicester.

Jamie Vardy netted a stunning volley before Riyad Mahrez, Kelechi Iheanacho and Vicente Iborra sunk the Baggies, cancelling out Salomon Rondon's early opener for the hosts.

It was Albion's seventh straight defeat in all competitions and they remain bottom, eight points from safety, with Leicester eighth on 40 points.

Pardew's job is in the balance, with the managerial situation expected to be reviewed after another defeat, with the former Crystal Palace boss having won just once in 16 league games.

Pardew earned a reprieve following an improved performance in last week's 1-0 defeat at Watford, and Albion did at least offer more early spark against the Foxes.

Rondon's eighth-minute opener did give them brief hope but they collapsed following Vardy's leveller.

Ben Chilwell was caught napping to allow Burke to tease in a cross for Rondon, and the striker got across Wes Morgan to poke past Kasper Schmeichel from six yards.

Leicester responded and Vardy almost connected with Mahrez's teasing centre but the Baggies controlled the early stages.

Chris Brunt dragged a shot wide before Grzegorz Krychowiak's deflected effort was tipped onto the bar by Schmeichel.

There was a buzz about Albion and they were comfortable until the Foxes levelled after 21 minutes with a goal of brilliance and simplicity.

Mahrez launched a ball over the top from deep in his own half and it dropped over Vardy's shoulder on the edge of the area.

The England striker took it first time and buried a stunning volley into the bottom corner, with Foster rooted to the spot.

It sucked the life out of the hosts and they escaped after 36 minutes when Vardy poked in from eight yards only to be ruled offside.

Leicester had cashed in on Albion's lack of confidence but were almost undone just before the break when Rondon's shot hit Morgan and deflected over.

Yet that was the final threat from the Baggies as they fell apart in the second half.

Krychowiak appeared to swap words with Pardew when he was substituted after 59 minutes and it got worse for the Baggies three minutes later.

Substitute Iheanacho picked out Mahrez, who was not tracked, and he coolly lobbed Foster.

Iheanacho grabbed his first Premier League goal for the Foxes with 14 minutes left, heading in Chilwell's cross.

And Iborra got in on the act in stoppage time when he nodded in Marc Albrighton's corner.

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