Former Leicester striker Tom Cannon’s second goal in as many games helped maintain Sheffield United’s strong home form and increased the pressure on Foxes boss Marti Cifuentes.
The Blades always looked in control at Bramall Lane and went ahead when defender Japhet Tanganga headed in his first goal for the club.
Cannon, sold to United by the Foxes a year ago, slotted home the second soon after the break and Callum O’Hare made it 3-0 late on before Jordan James pulled one back in stoppage time.
That made it back-to-back wins for the Blades, who climb to 15th in the table with Leicester two places above them despite a third defeat in four games.
Chris Wilder’s side had raced into a three-goal lead on their way to a 3-2 triumph at the King Power Stadium five weeks ago – and they were just as dominant in the opening half-hour this time, although with less reward.
Andre Brooks posed a threat from the right flank, cutting inside to set up two early opportunities for Patrick Bamford, both of which were dealt with by Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk.
The visitors had to withstand several spells of pressure and Brooks went close himself, spearing an awkward chance over the bar after Leicester struggled to clear Sam McCallum’s corner.
The breakthrough eventually arrived from another McCallum corner as Tanganga timed his run perfectly, soaring above ex-Blade Luke Thomas and burying the header beyond the helpless Stolarczyk.
Leicester struggled for any meaningful response, a hopeful 35-yard effort by Abdul Fatawu – who had just been booked for a dive – drifting wide of Michael Cooper’s right-hand post.
United doubled their advantage when Brooks won possession on the touchline and darted into the Foxes’ penalty area, smuggling the ball across for Cannon to lash a low finish into the net.
The visitors built some promising attacks without ever seriously threatening a recovery and failed to get a shot on target until the second minute of injury time, when substitute Jordan Ayew set up James to fire past Cooper.
By then, the Blades were three goals to the good after Femi Seriki nipped behind two defenders to reach Oliver Arblaster’s lofted pass and cut it across for O’Hare to stab home his seventh goal of the season.
Sheffield United are at home to next-to-bottom Oxford United in a lunchtime kick-off on Sunday, with Leicester not in action until the following evening, when they host West Bromwich Albion.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield:
“It was a really dominant performance, against a top group of players, to play like we did from the off and right the way through.
“Our centre-forwards and wide players caused them problems all evening and we created some really good chances. I am a touch disappointed for the boys – Michael (Cooper) deserved a clean sheet and their goal took a deflection late on.
“We wrapped the two wingers up, we wrapped the centre-forward up. Jordan James, I think is one of the best midfield players in the division but Dji (Soumare) and Jai (Riedewald) controlled that area against him and (Oliver) Skipp.
“I was looking a lot to my left first half and a lot to my right second half, which shows you the level of performance we produced.”
Leicester boss Marti Cifuentes told BBC Radio Leicester:
“We were playing against a team that showed more capacity to win duels all over the pitch from minute one to 90. They definitely managed to get more momentum on the ball than we did.
“The three goals are individual mistakes that cost us. It’s not a good performance – you don’t need to concede two goals to show up.
“There are certain things I can share with the fans and some things I cannot. What I can say to the fans is I’m sorry that we’re in this difficult moment.
“We need to stick together. After the game, I understand that they want to show their frustration – it’s completely fair.”
