Mahrez magic steers Leicester to first win in five league games

Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - January 1, 2018 Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

(Reuters) - Riyad Mahrez scored one and set up another as Leicester City strolled to a 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town in the Premier League on Monday.

In a tepid first half, Wilfred Ndidi came closest to scoring, but sliced wide from a good position after Islam Slimani had caused problems on his return to the side.

After the break, the game came to life, as Mahrez brilliantly volleyed home in the 53rd minute, before Slimani deftly added a second seven minutes later for his first league goal of the season.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - January 1, 2018 Leicester City's Islam Slimani celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates as Huddersfield Town’s Danny Williams looks dejected Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Huddersfield had just one shot on target all match as they struggled to get going, while Leicester gave a run out to new signing Adrien Silva after he was given clearance to play. Marc Albrighton netted a late third to seal a victory that sees Leicester stay eighth, while Huddersfield remain 11th despite their first defeat in five.

"We lost our focus and concentration, we were 1-0 down and had to open up, left some spaces, which they used," Huddersfield boss David Wagner said.

Leicester striker Jamie Vardy missed out through injury, as Slimani started just his second Premier League game of the season. The Algeria international had little impact in the opening 45 minutes, with a much-changed Huddersfield rarely troubled, defensively.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - January 1, 2018 Leicester City's Marc Albrighton scores their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

"After the end of the first half, perhaps it was not enough - we lacked quality," Leicester manager Claude Puel said. "We came back in the second half with the same spirit to play football on the floor and with quality."

Leicester did really up the tempo in the second half, and they were soon in front after some Mahrez magic.

Albrighton looped a cross into the middle, Mahrez watched the ball onto his left foot, before expertly guiding a volley into the net from a tight angle.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - January 1, 2018 (L - R) Leicester City’s Aleksandar Dragovic, Adrien Silva and Harry Maguire celebrate after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soon Leicester led by two, with the Algerian again at the heart of the action. An inch-perfect pass from Mahrez allowed compatriot Slimani to race clear before coolly lofting the ball over Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl to score.

Huddersfield didn't show any sign of even coming close to getting themselves back in the game, giving Leicester chance to blood Silva for a relaxed debut.

Albrighton won't score many easier goals than his stoppage time strike to make it three, as he slotted into an empty net at the back post to ensure Leicester began 2018 in positive fashion.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - January 1, 2018 Leicester City's Christian Fuchs in action with Huddersfield Town’s Collin Quaner Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - January 1, 2018 Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner and Leicester City's Harry Maguire after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - January 1, 2018 Leicester City's Adrien Silva in action with Huddersfield Town’s Collin Quaner Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - January 1, 2018 Leicester City's Marc Albrighton scores their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - January 1, 2018 Leicester City's Shinji Okazaki in action with Huddersfield Town’s Christopher Schindler Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - January 1, 2018 Leicester City's Christian Fuchs shoots at goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - January 1, 2018 Huddersfield Town’s Collin Quaner shoots at goal REUTERS/Darren Staples