Leicester City 4 Barnsley 1: Robins lavishes praise on high-flying Leicester

Strikes from Paul Gallagher and Andy King gave the Foxes a two-goal lead before Jacob Mellis halved the deficit. Further strikes in the second half from King and Kyle Naughton kept City unbeaten in 2011.

Robins said: “We created plenty of chances and were decent going forward. We looked very comfortable in the first half but they scored four unbelievable goals. Everything they hit went in.

“We could have gone in at half-time with the scoreline at 2-2, but then we go and shoot ourselves in the foot giving away an early goal in the second half.

“After an hour we fell away. We need everyone fighting the cause and if they are not willing to do so they will have to make way.

“Without doubt Leicester are the best side in the division. They have some excellent signings and have bonded into a very good side. They beat us 2-0 at Oakwell and they were a much better side than that here today.”

Leicester manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said: “We didn’t play our best football in the first half but in the second half we got better and the four goals means I am very happy. All the goals were beautiful and the last one by Kyle Naughton, he has a good shot, but that was incredible.”

Eriksson played down City’s promotion prospects despite Robins describing City as the “best side in the division”.

Eriksson said: “I hope he is right, it is very far away but we are on a good run and 2011 has been very, very good to us.

“I’m not thinking about the play-offs. We are better thinking about our next game at Derby next Saturday.

“Looking at the table it’s a much better position for us than in September. Also the confidence of the players is very high and if they have a good day they should be able to beat anyone.”

Leicester City: Weale, Naughton, Bamba (Hobbs 82), Mee, Van Aanholt, Wellens, Abe (Oakley 62), Andy King, Vassell (Dyer 62), Yakubu, Gallagher. Unused substitutes: Pereira, Howard, Waghorn, Berner.

Barnsley: Steele, Trippier, Shackell, Hassell, Hill, Doyle, Arismendi (Colace 66), Haynes, Mellis (Noble-Lazarus 83), Nouble, O’Connor (Butterfield 74). Unused substitutes: Preece, O’Brien, Lovre, Gray.

Referee: K Hill (Hertfordshire).

Man of the match: Andy King.