London — Brighton’s 5-2 victory against bottom-of-the-table Leicester left the Foxes in disarray, while leaders Arsenal prepared for the latest test of their flying start at Manchester United on Sunday evening.
A second-half rally at the Amex Stadium helped the fourth-placed team of Graham Potter to their fourth win in their opening six matches.
Kelechi Iheanacho gave Leicester the lead in the first minute, but an own goal by Luke Thomas and a goal by Moises Caicedo gave Brighton the lead.
Patson Daka equalized for Leicester, but the struggling visitors imploded after halftime as Leandro Trossard gave Brighton the lead and Alexis Mac Allister scored again to seal the victory.
Brendan Rodgers is under a great deal of criticism as a result of Leicester’s one point from their first six matches and five consecutive losses.
In a harsh assessment of Leicester’s situation, Rodgers conceded after Thursday’s loss to Manchester United that the Foxes, who twice failed to qualify for the Champions League under his leadership, are no longer the same club they were two years ago.
Rodgers, who led Leicester to their first-ever FA Cup victory in 2021, has also publicly expressed his displeasure with the club’s lack of transfer market support, with Wout Faes being the only outfield player added since the end of last season.
Rodgers hopes that the close of the transfer market would refocus an uneasy group that lost crucial defender Wesley Fofana to Chelsea, while James Maddison and Youri Tielemans were unable to find new clubs.
But there were no signs of change as Leicester suffered another humiliating loss on the south coast.
Rodgers responded to Leicester’s struggles by benching star forward Jamie Vardy and recalled forward Daka from Zambia.
Within 60 seconds, the risk paid off when Daka sprinted onto Harvey Barnes’ pass and fired a low cross that Iheanacho tapped into an empty net.
However, Leicester’s lead only lasted nine minutes as Trossard set up Solly March at the far post for a header that was deflected in by the unfortunate Thomas.
After that blow, Leicester’s vulnerabilities resurfaced, and they were breached again in the fifteenth minute.
Maddison surrendered possession at the half-way line, allowing Enock Mwepu to advance and set up Caicedo, who finished decisively in the bottom corner.
Unexpectedly, Daka drew Rodgers’ team even in the 33rd minute.
Adam Webster of Brighton surrendered possession, and after Lewis Dunk was fooled by Tielemans’ lofted pass, Daka sprinted through to score past Robert Sanchez.
Trossard scored Albion’s third goal after receiving a feed from Pascal Gross in the 64th minute.
Mac Allister eliminated Leicester by converting a penalty kick in the 71st minute after Wilfred Ndidi fouled Trossard, and then by curling a free-kick past Danny Ward in the dying seconds.
At Old Trafford, Mikel Arteta’s squad will attempt to extend their winning streak to six games in a row as they look to maintain their scorching start.
United is the first real test for Arsenal’s surprisingly impressive start.
United boss Erik ten Hag began his tenure with two consecutive defeats, which was embarrassing.
Since then, however, United have won three consecutive games, beginning with a remarkable victory against Liverpool and continuing with triumphs at Southampton and Leicester.
United will give Antony his debut after this week’s £82 million acquisition of the Brazilian forward from Ten Hag’s former club Ajax.