Match Report | Leicester City 2-1 Cardiff City
A cruel late goal from Cesare Casadei denied the Bluebirds a deserved point at the King Power Stadium.
Erol Bulut made three changes to the side that faced Queens Park Rangers seven days ago, with Mahlon Romeo, Jamilu Collins and Joe Ralls replacing Perry Ng, Karlan Grant and Ebou Adams.
There was also space on the bench for both Alex Rúnarsson and Manolis Siopis, who joined the Club on Friday.
Having competed in the Premier League last season, and with a side filled with top-flight quality, Leicester controlled the early proceedings, carving out a key chance via Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Nigerian international curled a fine effort onto the post after nine minutes, a clear display of the Foxes' attacking intent.
Growing in confidence as the half wore on, Enzo Maresca's men found the opener after 36 minutes. The ball fell to Wanya Marçal at the front post, with the midfielder smashing home fiercely to break the deadlock.
Jak Alnwick was called into action twice soon afterwards, making big stops to keep the Foxes' lead at one.
Firstly, the stopper denied Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, before pulling off another save to keep out Stephy Mavididi 1v1.
Just as the half was about to come to a close, Aaron Ramsey produced a Goal of the Season contender to draw level.
Picking the ball up from 25-yards, the Wales captain took aim and struck a marvellous shot on goal, which arrowed past Mads Hermansen and flew straight into the top corner.
Running the full length of the pitch to celebrate his first goal since returning with the 2,280 travelling City fans, Rambo's wonder strike sent the two sides in level at the break.
Yakou Méïté's introduction at half time gave City more of a focal point up front, with the forward involved almost straight away.
Driving forward on goal, Méïté tucked the ball sideways to Ramsey on the edge of the box, with his effort blocked by Wout Faes. On the follow-up, Ralls forced a good low save from Hermansen.
Leicester regained control of the ball for large swathes of the second period, but failed to create too many clear-cut opportunities, with Alnwick rarely troubled.
At the other end, Méïté had a golden chance to put the Bluebirds ahead, but, from a promising 1v1 position, put his strike wide of goal.
In stoppage time, the hosts found a winner through substitute Cesare Casadei. The debutant fired home after Jamie Vardy went down in the box but the referee allowed play to continue.
Very late in the day, Mahlon Romeo was shown two yellow cards in quick succession, with the match ending in defeat for City.
Erol Bulut's Bluebirds return to CCS next weekend, facing Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, 26th August, 3pm kick-off.
Full Time: Leicester City 2-1 Cardiff City
Leicester City: Hermansen, Ricardo, Faes, Vestergaard, Doyle, Winks, Ndidi (Casadei 61'), Dewsbury-Hall, Marçal (Albrighton 87'), Mavididi, Iheanacho (Vardy 76').
Subs not used: Ward, Justin, Choudhury, Thomas, Stolarczyk, Nelson.
Cardiff City: Alnwick, Romeo, McGuinness, Goutas (Simpson 77'), Collins, Wintle, Ralls (Siopis 61'), Ramsey (Robinson 77'), Bowler (Grant 66'), O'Dowda, Ugbo (Méïté 46').
Subs not used: Rúnarsson, Adams, Tanner, Etete.
