James Maddison scored twice and provided an assist as Leicester City recorded a 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in Monday's Premier League contest at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes were bottom of the table heading into the clash but have now moved above Forest into 19th, with Steve Cooper's side dropping to the foot of the division after eight matches.
The result has eased the pressure on Brendan Rodgers, with the manager's position at Leicester being called into question due to the team's struggles in the early stages of the 2022-23 campaign.
However, Cooper is now firmly under pressure, with the 42-year-old's future as head coach in severe doubt.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had a brilliant chance to make the breakthrough in the fifth minute after being found by Maddison inside the Forest box, but the midfielder's header was wide of the post.
James Justin was next to come close for Leicester five minutes later, with the defender having a shot deflected just over the away side's crossbar, with Rodgers's team making the early running at the King Power Stadium.
Dewsbury-Hall sent another effort wide of the target before Jamie Vardy missed with a header amid a strong start for the home side, but it was Forest that came closest to making the breakthrough, with Taiwo Awoniyi striking the post in the 22nd minute after a clever pass from Morgan Gibbs-White.
Leicester continued to push, though, and the breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute when Maddison's strike from outside the box hit Scott McKenna before finding the back of the net.
Harvey Barnes then curled one into the bottom corner two minutes later, before Maddison took the game away from Forest in the 35th minute by placing a free kick into the back of the net.
The visitors had a chance to score early in the second half when the ball broke for Brennan Johnson after a save from Danny Ward, but the attacker mis-controlled at the vital moment, which reflected what was a difficult evening for the promoted side.
Maddison had a hat-trick chance 20 minutes from time when he worked space outside the box, but the Englishman's effort was always moving wide of the post.
Leicester scored their fourth in the 73rd minute when Patson Daka expertly flicked a Maddison cross into the back of the net to cap a brilliant night for the home team.
The Foxes are next in action against Bournemouth on Saturday, while Forest will be looking to end their five-game losing run when they host Aston Villa next Monday.
Matt Law
