Leeds trounce sorry Foxes

Robbie Keane scored a hat-trick at Filbert Street

Leicester City 0-6 Leeds United

Managerless Leicester were ripped apart by Leeds as their season went from bad to worse.

Leeds strolled to victory at Filbert Street with Robbie Keane destroying the Foxes with a highly impressive hat-trick.

Keane also set up Eirik Bakke before Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell completed the Worthington Cup rout.

Leicester fans will hope that Dave Bassett, who is tipped to become their new manager, was not put off by the home horror show.

Thankfully for them, Bassett was down the road at Coventry watching Chelsea, Leicester's next opponents, win 2-0.

Leeds central defender Jonathan Woodgate made his first start for 10 months but had virtually nothing to do.

  Key moments

12 mins: Leicester 0-1 Leeds (Keane)

16 mins: Leicester 0-2 Leeds (Keane)

40 mins: Leicester 0-3 Leeds (Bakke)

53 mins: Leicester 0-4 Leeds (Keane)

56 mins: Leicester 0-5 Leeds (Viduka)

64 mins: Leicester 0-6 Leeds (Kewell)

City caretaker manager Garry Parker gave a first-team debut to midfielder Matthew Piper, the brother of Warwickshire wicketkeeper Keith Piper.

David O'Leary's side soon took control of the game as Leicester failed to muster any sort of resistance.

Keane put Leeds 1-0 up after just 12 minutes when he scored after Bakke headed on Ian Harte's corner.

The same combination of players caused more havoc soon after as Keane doubled Leeds' lead.

Keane turned creator just before the break when his back-heel set up a chance for Bakke who beat Ian Walker from close range.

Irish ace Keane completed his hat-trick early in the second half with a simple tap-in from three yards.

There was no stopping Leeds and Viduka made it 5-0 when he curled a left-footed shot past Walker with the help of the underside of the bar.

Foxes caretaker boss Garry Parker could do little

Fit-again Alan Smith replaced Keane before Kewell got his name on the score sheet just after the hour.

He cut in from the left and made it 6-0 with a low shot which squeezed under Walker's body.

Leicester only had pride to play for in the closing stages as Leeds eased off the pressure.

Bassett, who is expected to be named as Peter Taylor's successor in the near future, knows he has a huge task on his hands to restore confidence at Filbert Street.

Leeds are now among the favourites to win this season's Worthington Cup competition.

On this form, their short odds are totally justified.

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Leicester: Walker, Rowett, Sinclair, Elliott, Matthew Piper, Savage, Wise, Jones, Izzet, Scowcroft, Sturridge. Subs: Royce, Davidson, Impey, Gunnlaugsson, Benjamin.

Leeds: Martyn, Mills, Woodgate, Ferdinand, Harte, Bowyer, Bakke, Dacourt, Kewell, Keane, Viduka. Subs: Kelly, Robinson, McPhail, Smith, Duberry.

Referee: G Poll.