David Unsworth's men conceded both goals in the first half at the King Power Stadium as they remain in the relegation zone
CLAUDE PUEL got his Foxes reign off to a winning start with a convincing victory over struggling Everton, who show no signs of leaving the drop zone anytime soon.
The Frenchman may not have been the high-profile appointment some Foxes fans had hoped, with stellar names such as Carlo Ancelotti and Manuel Pellegrini at the top of their wish list.
But the 56 year old former Southampton boss was given a rousing reception prior to kick off as his new support got behind their third boss in a year.
And the Frenchman swiftly swept away his dour image as his side produced an impressive display of sexy, flowing football to blow caretaker boss David Unsworth’s Toffees away.
Everton’s disarray showed when Wayne Rooney held out his arms in indignation when he was replaced by Gylfi Sigurdsson 17 minutes from the end.
However the struggling England legend did shake Unsworth’s hand as he trudged off, beaten and demoralised.
His mood was in stark contrast to Puel, whoses side raced into a two goal lead before half an hour had been played to set themselves up for a comfortable win.
The home side pinned Everton back from the start and took the lead after 18 minutes with a classic counter attack which left Everton’s sluggish back four gasping.
Leighton Baines poor free-kick was headed clear by Wilfred Ndidi and Demarai Gray blistered away from Tom Davies, Idrissa Gueye and Wayne Rooney before finding Riyad Mahrez on the right.
The Algerian delivered the perfect cutback into the path of Jamie Vardy who didn’t break stride as he steered the ball beyond Jordan Pickford for his sixth Premier goal of the season.
If that goal was sublime, Leicester’s second was ridiculous as the confidence-strapped visitors handed them three points on a plate with a freak goal.
Demarai Gray swept in a low cross from the left and England’s Under-20 world cup winner Jonjoe Kenny slashed at the ball, with his right boot to divert it beyond Pickford and into his own net.
However the goal was credited to the Leicester forward who looked almost apologetic as he celebrated only his second Premier goal in 51 appearances.
Everton will feel aggrieved they were not awarded a penalty a minute later when Fuchs brought down Aaron Lennon in the box. But ref Andre Marriner waved aside their protests despite TV replays showing the Austrian failed to get a touch on the ball.
Unsworth made a double switch at half time with Oumar Niasse and Beni Baningime replacing Kevin Mirallas and Lennon but despite an improvement Kasper Schmeichel was rarely troubled.
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Leicester City goalscorer Demarai Gray said whether it was his goal for the second: "100% my goal – I’ll take it and the three points. The boys know if we score the first goal we can be flying from there. Second half they put pressure on but we saw it out.
"I’ve had to wait a long time for my opportunities. It’s a new start."
Foxes striker Jamie Vardy told Sky Sports: "The gaffer's come in this week. He said this week he didn't want to change too much - just tactical tweaks.
"We hit them on the counter for the first goal. Gray got on the ball and split them open. We showed we are capable of defending a lead. The main thing is we got three points."
Leicester boss Claude Puel said: "I was impressed with my players. It was a very good first half and there were good combinations between the players for the first goal.
"It was more difficult in the second half because Everton are good. But I saw a team with a good attitude and good structure and solidarity.
"I want to say thanks to our fantastic fans for their warm welcome. It was a day that was perfect but it's just the beginning I hope of something."
Everton caretaker David Unsworth said: "The second half was much better. We gave them a two-goal start - in the first half we didn't perform. Our display was much better after the break.
"The best tactics I thought was with a diamond and two strikers. Aaron Lennon did OK in the first half and Kevin Mirallas couldn't get into the game. I wanted to be brave and positive in the first half.
"I went with the best team to try to win. The first half wasn't acceptable, but the second half we didn't get the rewards that our dominance justified.
"Whoever gets the honour of being Everton boss, including me, needs time with this set of players."
