Leicester 3-1 Leeds: Foxes come from behind to dump out Championship high-flyers as Kelechi Iheanacho, Islam Slimani and Riyad Mahrez score to seal place in Carabao Cup quarter-final

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If Claude Puel does indeed take up residency in the Leicester dugout from here, Michael Appleton has set him a high bar.

The caretaker manager made it two wins from two and should he now step aside he will do so in the knowledge his contribution altered the complexion of Leicester's season.

Within four days the club have moved clear of the relegation zone and into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Riyad Mahrez completed the victory after coming off the substitutes' bench to score the third

Forward Islam Slimani pointed to the sky after he scored the second to put Leicester in front

The Leeds player celebrated together after Pablo Hernandez's strike gave them an early lead

Kelechi Iheanacho equalised with an accurate curling shot from just outside the box

Puel has held two positive interviews with Leicester and is at the stage of discussing prospective assistants. There is a suspicion Leicester hold an interest in at least one other candidate but whoever ultimately succeeds Craig Shakespeare would be wise to retain Appleton.

The 41-year-old saw his team recover from a goal down to beat promotion-chasing Leeds and his desire to stay on as a coach for the rest of his three-year contract really ought to be rewarded.

He made eight changes to the side who beat Swansea on Saturday, while Thomas Christiansen kept only one on his players from the win at Bristol City.

And Leeds began the brighter, with Jay-Roy Grot drawing a save from Ben Hamer through a powerful shot. But Hamer had no answer in the 26th minute when Pablo Hernandez took aim.

Fed by Kemar Roofe outside the area, Hernandez twisted free of Marc Albrighton and Andy King, and bent a shot behind Harry Maguire that went in off the bar. Rather than dive, Hamer skidded down, utterly defeated.

Leicester caretaker boss Michael Appleton takes his seat in the dugout prior to kick-off

Demarai Gray applauds the home support as he takes to the field for the match against Leeds

Marc Albrighton and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson compete for a loose ball in the air

Iheanacho tries to dribble the ball into the box but is dispossesed by Borthwick-Jackson

A buoyant Leeds section celebrated accordingly but their advantage was short-lived as Leicester equalised four minutes later.

Goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald failed to properly deal with Albrighton's long pass and Kelechi Iheanacho was given a clear sight of goal. Rather than submit to the wishes of the crowd immediately as Wiedwald scrambled upright, the Nigerian striker first worked the ball onto his left foot before delivering the fatal blow. A pinpoint strike into the corner from 20 yards was a fitting way to open his Leicester account.

The shots from distance kept coming. At the end of a slick counter attack Demarai Gray drilled an effort just wide and shortly after the winger smacked the crossbar with a thunderous hit from nearly 30 yards.

Gray shoots from just inside the box as Luke Ayling flies in to block, but his effort goes wide

Goalkeeper Felix Weidwald dishes out orders from his goaline to the Leeds defenders

Borthwick-Jackson holds his ankle after colliding with a Leicester player at the King Power 

Soon into the second half Wiedwald was fortunate referee Lee Probert missed his handling outside the area, and shortly after Leeds as a whole were lucky that King failed to get his shot on target when set up with a great chance by Islam Slimani.

Slimani was guilty of a worse miss on the hour, not even getting close when found unmarked four yards out by Albrighton.

With 20 minutes to go Slimani made amends, sliding home the winner after Iheanacho broke the offside trap from Vicente Iborra's pass and put the chance on a plate.

Two minutes from time Riyad Mahrez made victory certain in wonderful style. On as a substitute, the Algerian dribbled in from the right wing and arrowed a low shot into the corner of the net to continue his fine run of form.

Slimani misses a gilt-edged chance as he heads over the bar from close range 

Kemar Roofe takes the ball on his chest under pressure from Leicester defender Ben Chillwell

Wiedwald rushes out off his line to collect a loose ball Iheanacho was trying to latch on to

The Leeds players look disheartened at the final whistle after losing 3-1 to top-flight Leicester