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Cannon (left) doubled Sheffield United's lead after Japhet Tanganga had opened the scoring Former Leicester striker Tom Cannon's second goal in as many games helped maintain Sheffield United's strong home form and increased the pressure on Foxes boss Marti Cifuentes. The Blades always looked in control at Bramall Lane and went ahead when defender Japhet Tanganga headed in his first goal for the club. Cannon, sold to United by the Foxes a year ago, slotted home the second soon after the break and Callum O'Hare made it 3-0 late on before Jordan James pulled one back in stoppage time. That made it back-to-back wins for the Blades, who climb to 15th in the table with Leicester two places above them despite a third defeat in four games. Championship: Sheff Utd beat Leicester 3-1 in last last of 12 New Year's Day games Stumbling Boro slip to third with loss at Derby Osmajic scores on return as Preston beat Sheff Wed Chris Wilder's side had raced into a three-goal lead on their way to a 3-2 triumph at the King Power Stadium five weeks ago – and they were just as dominant in the opening half-hour this time, although with less reward. Andre Brooks posed a threat from the right flank, cutting inside to set up two early opportunities for Patrick Bamford, both of which were dealt with by Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk. The visitors had to withstand several spells of pressure and Brooks went close himself, spearing an awkward chance over the bar after Leicester struggled to clear Sam Mc Callum's corner. The breakthrough eventually arrived from another Mc Callum corner as Tanganga timed his run perfectly, soaring above ex-Blade Luke Thomas and burying the header beyond the helpless Stolarczyk. Leicester struggled for any meaningful response, a hopeful 35-yard effort by Abdul Fatawu – who had just been booked for a dive – drifting wide of Michael Cooper's right-hand post. United doubled their advantage when Brooks won possession on the touchline and darted into the Foxes' penalty area, smuggling the ball across for Cannon to lash a low finish into the net. The visitors built some promising attacks without ever seriously threatening a recovery and failed to get a shot on target until the second minute of injury time, when substitute Jordan Ayew set up James to fire past Cooper. By then, the Blades were three goals to the good after Femi Seriki nipped behind two defenders to reach Oliver Arblaster's lofted pass and cut it across for O'Hare to stab home his seventh goal of the season. Sheffield United are at home to next-to-bottom Oxford United in a lunchtime kick-off on Sunday, with Leicester not in action until the following evening, when they host West Bromwich Albion. Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield: "It was a really dominant performance, against a top group of players, to play like we did from the off and right the way through. "Our centre-forwards and wide players caused them problems all evening and we created some really good chances. I am a touch disappointed for the boys – Michael (Cooper) deserved a clean sheet and their goal took a deflection late on. "We wrapped the two wingers up, we wrapped the centre-forward up. Jordan James, I think is one of the best midfield players in the division but Dji (Soumare) and Jai (Riedewald) controlled that area against him and (Oliver) Skipp. "I was looking a lot to my left first half and a lot to my right second half, which shows you the level of performance we produced. " This video can not be played Wilder: 'Really dominant performance' Leicester boss Marti Cifuentes told BBC Radio Leicester: "We were playing against a team that showed more capacity to win duels all over the pitch from minute one to 90. They definitely managed to get more momentum on the ball than we did. "The three goals are individual mistakes that cost us. It's not a good performance – you don't need to concede two goals to show up. "There are certain things I can share with the fans and some things I cannot. What I can say to the fans is I'm sorry that we're in this difficult moment. "We need to stick together. After the game, I understand that they want to show their frustration – it's completely fair. " This video can not be played Marti Cifuentes: 'We cannot build that consistency' After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 1st January 2026 at 19: 23 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Chris Wilder Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Martí Cifuentes Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Chris Wilder Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Martí Cifuentes Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Sheffield United have lost each of their last three home league games against Leicester City, their worst home losing run against the Foxes. Leicester City were beaten 3-2 by Sheffield United at the King Power earlier this season and could lose home and away to the Blades in a league campaign for the first time since 2007-08. This will be Sheffield United’s first league game played at home on New Year’s Day since 2005, a 2-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic in the Championship. Each of their eight matches on January 1st since then have come away from home (W1 D3 L4).    Leicester City are unbeaten in their last eight league games played on New Year's Day, winning seven of those (D1), the longest active run of any team in England’s top four tiers – their last such match was in 2024, beating Huddersfield 4-1 at the King Power Stadium. Sheffield United’s Patrick Bamford has been directly involved in seven goals across his last eight league appearances in the month of January (5 goals, 2 assists), which includes a goal and two assists for Leeds United against Leicester City in 2021.      Match ends, Sheffield United 3, Leicester City 1. Second Half ends, Sheffield United 3, Leicester City 1. Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Ben Nelson. Attempt blocked. Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Tahith Chong. Goal! Sheffield United 3, Leicester City 1. Jordan James (Leicester City) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jordan Ayew following a fast break. Oliver Arblaster (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Hamza Choudhury (Leicester City). Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Goal! Sheffield United 3, Leicester City 0. Callum O'Hare (Sheffield United) left footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Femi Seriki. Attempt blocked. Callum O'Hare (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Gustavo Hamer. Substitution, Sheffield United. Harrison Burrows replaces Sam Mc Callum. Substitution, Sheffield United. Oliver Arblaster replaces Djibril Soumaré. Substitution, Sheffield United. Tahith Chong replaces Thomas Cannon. Femi Seriki (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card. Attempt blocked. Jordan James (Leicester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Abdul Fatawu. Foul by Tyler Bindon (Sheffield United). Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Japhet Tanganga (Sheffield United). Jordan Ayew (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Tyrese Campbell (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.