Daniel Farke has cut an impressive figure since arriving at Leeds United during a turbulent summer, but this was his team’s most emphatic statement yet.
In turning over a Leicester side who had won their previous nine league outings, Leeds served up the most significant result in the Championship this season.
That it was Georginio Rutter who should deliver the killer blow, firing home from close range in the 58th minute, was apt.
For he has come to symbolise the new chapter being patiently written by Farke at Elland Road and his popularity with Leeds fans continues to soar.
The 21-year-old Frenchman cut a hapless figure after arriving in January from Hoffenheim for a club-record £35.5million.
Leeds celebrated after scoring in the second-half from Rutter’s strike
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City looks dejected after Giorginio Rutter poked the visitors ahead
But Farke has poured confidence into him and his strike in front of the raucous travelling support encouraged hopes that Leeds can make an immediate Premier League return, quite possibly with Leicester.
Enzo Maresca’s men remain five points clear at the summit and will take some stopping, but this was Leeds’ night.
It is now five wins in six for Farke’s men, who are evolving nicely under their charismatic German manager.
Farke, let it be remembered, has twice led Norwich City to promotion as title winners during the past five seasons.
The Foxes have been utterly formidable since the appointment of Maresca and the chant of ‘straight back up, straight back up, Leicester City’ has become the theme tune to their season.
Yet it was Leeds who seized the early initiative, pressing their hosts with speed and intensity and almost opening the scoring inside the second minute.
A poor clearance from Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was seized upon by Ethan Ampadu before Rutter found Joel Piroe unmarked inside the 18-yard box.
The Dutchman had time and space to curl a left-foot shot which flew wide of Hermansen’s goal when he should have at least hit the target.
It was a huge opportunity spurned and Leicester gradually worked their way into the match, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall exerting a growing influence on proceedings.
Farke was almost beside himself in the 19th minute when Rutter went down under a challenge from Cesare Casadei, but referee Dean Whitestone was unmoved.
In the 31st minute, Stephy Mavididi showed impressive pace to reach the left-hand byline and fire in a dangerous low cross, only for Joe Rodon to make a vital block.
Three minutes later, Abdul Fatawu cut inside and smashed a blistering left-foot shot which rebounded off the crossbar, the closest Leicester came to scoring.
Rutter was the one to claim all three points for the visiting side at the King Power Stadium
Enzo Maresca’s side have had an immensely successful start to life in the Championship
Moments later, Leeds broke and this time Summerville went down in the box, with Farke again incredulous at his side being denied a penalty and soon earning a booking for his protestations.
In the 53rd minute, Piroe’s curling right-foot drew a smart parried save from Hermansen before James Justin made a vital interception to deny Rutter from Summerville’s neat pass.
In the 58th minute, Rutter’s moment came when Dan James’ right-wing corner was greeted by Sam Byram’s superb near-post header.
Although Hermansen did well to keep the ball out, Rutter reacted quickest to rifle home from the edge of the six-yard box.
He ran to the corner to celebrate in front of the travelling hordes before Leicester sought to find a response which never came.
Fatawu blazed a volley over the crossbar and Leeds could have added a second when a counter-attack culminated in James firing straight at Hermansen.
In the fifth minute of added time, Illan Meslier made a superb save to keep out Dewsbury-Hall’s header as Leeds, united, held on for a priceless victory.
