Mahrez scores as Leicester pile on misery for Mazzarri's Watford

Riyad Mahrez scored on his 100th Premier League appearance as Leicester City beat Watford 3-0 at home to pile the pressure on Walter Mazzarri.

The reigning Premier League champions shaded the first half, having hit the woodwork twice, and took the lead courtesy of Wilfried Ndidi.

Craig Shakespeare’s side dominated the second period against an injury-ravaged Hornets side and doubled their lead through Mahrez after an error from Adrian Mariappa.

The Hornets created few chances despite the introduction of Troy Deneey, Juan Zuniga and Roberto Pereyra late on and the Foxes sealed the rout through Marc Albrighton in stoppage time.

Leicester's win sees them climb into ninth place while Watford stay 15th after their fourth loss in five games.

Where does this result leave Mazzarri? The Italian has previously insisted he is preparing for next season and denied claims he was overworking his players by making them train for 12 days in a row. In his defence, he has few defenders available due to injury. But he took too long to ring the changes and the Hornets were poor in the second half.

Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City): The Algerian showed the sort of quality that he displayed more consistently last season. He took his goal well and was a constant threat to the Hornets’ makeshift defence.

LEICESTER CITY: Schmeichel 6, Simpson 5, Huth 5, Benalouane 5, Fuchs 5, Albrighton 7, Ndidi 6, Drinkwater 5, Mahrez 8, Okazaki 7, Vardy 7. Subs: Slimani 4, King 5, Gray n/a

WATFORD: Gomes 5, Mariappa 4, Prödl 4, Kabasele 5 Amrabat 6, Doucouré 5, Cleverley 6, Capoue 4, Janmaat 6, Niang 5, Okaka 6. Subs: Deeney 6, Zuniga 5, Periera n/a

18’ - WOODWORK! Cleverley barges into Mahrez and Leicester have a free-kick 40 yards out. The Algerian with a clever delivery to Vardy who squares it and Mariappa's clearance hits the post!

24’ - GOOD SAVE: Nearly another own goal! Fuchs' cross is bizarrely headed towards goal by Kabasele and Gomes parries the ball.

29’ - GOOD SAVE! Huth makes a mess of a clearance, it falls to Okaka in the box whose volley at the near post is blocked by Schmeichel.

36’ - SMART SAVE: Cleverley's drive from 25 yards is clawed away by Schmeichel after Janmmat's cross was deflected into his path. Decent effort.

38’ - GOAL! Leicester City 1-0 Watford: The corner is played short for Drinkwater to cross it in, Capoue mis-controls the ball with his chest and Ndidi rifles the ball into the roof of the net.

42’ - WOODWORK! Mahrez cuts inside, fires a shot which hits Cleverley and hits the top of the bar!

49’- SO CLOSE! Okazaki threads the ball through to Vardy and his effort from outside the area is well parried by Gomes.

58’ - GOAL! Leicester City 2-0 Watford: Mahrez punishes a mistake by Mariappa by netting with a cool finish through the legs of the keeper.

90’+3 -GOAL! Leicester City 3-0 Watford: Albrighton scores off the post after a good ball across the box from Vardy to seal the rout.

Riyad Mahrez has scored in his last three league matches against Watford.

Watford have never won a Premier League game when they have been behind at half-time.