A goal by Jamie Vardy inspired Leicester City to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Saturday, write DYLAN APPOLIS.

Craig Shakespeare made just one alteration to the team that featured in their last outing, with Leonardo Ulloa replaced by Shinji Okazaki.

Meanwhile, Tony Pulis made two changes to the West Brom side that started in the 1-0 defeat against Liverpool last weekend, with Allan Nyom and James Morrison coming into the starting line-up to replace Darren Fletcher and Matt Phillips.

The Baggies got off to a good start and pressed forward early on as Salomon Rondon latched on to a looping cross at the far post, but the striker’s header from a tight angle deflected into the hands of Kasper Schmeichel.

Shinji Okazaki and Wilfred Ndidi linked up well right outside the West Brom box, before the producing an effort at goal, but his strike was deflected just wide of the near post.

Chris Brunt left Christian Fuchs for dead as he charged into the box to meet a looping cross, but the midfielder’s header from close range was tipped over the top of the crossbar by a great stop from Schmeichel.

The Foxes eventually took the lead a minute before the half-time interval when Jamie Vardy made his way through a disjointed West Brom back line before unleashing a strike to loop the ball over Ben Foster.

West Brom kept putting piling pressure on the Leicester back line as they desperately went in search of an equaliser, sending two crosses in the area, but failed to pick out teammates before the ball rolled out to Yacob, who unleashed an optimistic strike which sailed well wide of the target.

Leicester had a chance to double their lead in the 59th minute when Wilfred Ndidi worked the ball towards Riyad Mahrez on the edge of the penalty area, before firing a low strike that clattered off the outside of the near post.

West Brom had a chance to level matters 75th minute when Fletcher lifted a cross over the top of the Leicester defence and into the path of Craig Dawson, who seemed to react too late and was unable to make decent contact with the ball, resulting in it bouncing out for a goal-kick.

Brunt whipped a cross into the heart of the Leicester box to pick out Rondon in a good position, but the Venezuelan was unable to make decent contact with the ball, sending his glancing header well wide of the goal.

However, Leicester City held on to their one-goal lead against West Brom until the final whistle, to walk away with all three points.

Meanwhile, Sunderland became the first team to be relegated from the Premier League after their 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light, with Joshua King netting the only goal of the match.

A penalty save by Eldin Jakupovic earned Hull City a point after they played out to a goalless draw with Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.

Image: Premier League