Harvey Barnes persisted in tormenting Leeds while spurring Leicester to a crucial victory that rekindled their chances of surviving.
In order to assist the Foxes defeat United 2-0 and relieve any mounting pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers, the winger scored his sixth goal in six games. He added to Robin Koch's early own goal to give the Foxes a point from the sidelines before their trip to fellow strugglers Wolves on Sunday in the Premier League.
Although they are still in the bottom three, the win propelled Leicester off the bottom of the standings and gave Rodgers time in a week that might determine the course of the Foxes' season.
Leeds' losing streak has now reached seven games, and they are only one point above the Foxes and out of the relegation zone on goal differential.
Jesse Marsch saw his side gradually lose the battle, and after what ultimately amounted to a timid surrender, he had to deal with the anger of a furious traveling support.
Rodgers called up Jamie Vardy for just his second start since the beginning of September because he needed a victory. The striker is having his worst scoring drought in six years, but the Foxes did not have to wait long for the first goal; it came just 16 minutes in.
Although Leicester benefited from some shoddy defence when Dennis Praet robbed Marc Roca, Leeds were clearly the more promising team.
After Vardy was struck, referee Peter Bankes played well, giving Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall the opportunity to send Praet down the right. His low cross was intended for the unmarked Barnes, but Koch slipped in and was only able to poke the ball past Illan Meslier who was left stranded.
The opposition responded strongly, and after Youri Tielemans' effort was blocked, Luis Sinisterra quickly broke away with the Foxes' defenders frantically pursuing him. Although it appeared like the forward lost the ball on the edge of the box, it fell to him just in time for him to curl onto the top of the bar.
Prior to Barnes' 2-0 goal 10 minutes before halftime, Leicester briefly appeared ragged. A minute later, Crysencio Summerville curled wide.
Praet did a fantastic job of winning the ball, which Vardy then backheeled to Dewsbury-Hall at the edge of the box. He connected with an open Barnes, who scored his third goal of the year by guiding the ball under a helpless Meslier.
Despite having the advantage, Leicester struggled to completely hold Leeds off in the first half. Seven minutes after the break, Danny Ward had to make a save to stop Liam Cooper from scoring.
Rasmus Kristensen's attempt was unsuccessful, and Leeds never really worried Leicester, who had found their determination, after their initial response swiftly vanished. Praet curled over, but the Foxes and Rodgers had already secured a crucial victory, so a third goal was never necessary.
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