Leicester boss Sven-Goran Eriksson saw his side maintain their revival with a deserved 2-0 win over Derby County. A first-half opener from instrumental midfielder Andy King and a Steve Howard penalty in the second half secured the victory for the Foxes.

Eriksson said: "We deserved the win. We started very well, then in the last 15 minutes of the first half Derby came back well and created a lot of problems.

"We talked at half-time, came back and created many chances.

"I'm pleased because we beat a very good football team and we had to be 100% to beat them. I thought the players were fantastic today."

On his two goal scorers, Eriksson added: "King is very good at timing his runs, coming in behind opponents. It's another goal for him. He is a very good footballer.

"Steve (Howard) is a hard worker. He's clever and difficult to beat in the air. He scores goals, he's a winner.

"He's not the youngest we have, but more or less every time he is on the pitch he scores a goal, which is very good."

Derby chief Nigel Clough blamed poor defending for the defeat.

He said: "I think the timing of the goals was important. Leicester came out of the blocks and put us under pressure.

"We had said do not give anything away in the first 20 minutes and the two centre-halves go and give a goal away, one losing possession and the other not tracking the runner and we end up chasing the game.

"Then they got a penalty and it was game over at 2-0 and Leicester could probably have got a third after that."

Despite the defeat Clough refused to be downcast, adding: "The lads worked hard in the last few weeks. I think it's a great position we are in."