The Milan Mandaric era opened with a rapturous welcome for Leicester's new owner and a 3-0 victory over midlands neighbours Coventry at the Walkers Stadium.

Mandaric, whose £25million Foxes takeover was finalised this week, was treated to a standing ovation from home fans prior to kick-off when he told them he would: "Do everything humanly possible to take the club to the highest level of football as soon as possible."

And once in the stand, the Foxes' new chairman was soon out of his seat again as on-loan Sheffield United striker Geoff Horsfield scored his first goal for the Foxes.

Midfield teammate Andy Johnson also scored his first Leicester goal when he headed home to double the hosts' lead ahead of another Horsfield strike giving them a 3-0 interval advantage.

The Foxes had been on the offensive early on and, with Sky Blues defender Colin Hawkins off the field for treatment, should have opened the scoring from Levi Porter's right-wing corner in the fourth minute.

But although Jason Jarrett was presented with the ball unmarked at the back post, poor control mean the eventual shot was blocked by Dele Adebola.

However, Leicester took the lead in the 11th minute as Porter, this time in the left channel, crossed to the far post for Horsfield to send a looping header over goalkeeper Andy Marshall.

And although Stephen Hughes managed a clearance, assistant referee Graeme Atkins indicated the ball had crossed the line.

Leon McKenzie's shot was easily saved by Paul Henderson at the other end before the Foxes went further ahead when Andy Johnson's close-range header left Marshall with no chance following a right-wing centre from Iain Hume in the 18th minute.

And Horsfield was on the scoresheet again in the 26th minute as he controlled a pass from Nils-Eric Johansson and held off Robert Page to fire under Marshall's dive.

McKenzie then headed wide after Andy Whing crossed from the Coventry left.

Caretaker Coventry manager Adrian Heath replaced midfielder Michael Mifsud with striker Kevin Kyle for the start of the second half, but Leicester picked up where they had left off prior to half-time by penning the visitors in their own penalty box.

The Sky Blues' riposte came from Adebola, whose right-foot shot was tipped away by Henderson for what proved an unproductive corner.

Next, Henderson was called on to save a point-blank header from McKenzie close to the post before Leicester reasserted themselves by forcing back-to-back corners.

In the 69th minute Chris Birchall replaced Stephen Hughes in the Sky Blues midfield ahead of the visitors going close again through Adebola, who headed McKenzie's cross-shot a whisker wide of rooted Henderson's woodwork.

With less than 10 minutes remaining Adam Virgo replaced Adebola while Leicester's Richard Stearman was introduced for Mark Yeates with Danny Cadamarteri on for Hume.

Horsfield enjoyed back-slaps when he returned to the Leicester bench after being swapped for Elvis Hammond in stoppage time.

Teams:

Leicester Henderson, Maybury, McAuley, Kisnorbo, Johansson,Yeates (Stearman 81), Jarrett, Johnson, Porter,Hume (Cadamarteri 84), Horsfield (Hammond 90).

Subs Not Used: Logan, Kenton.

Goals: Horsfield 11, Johnson 18, Horsfield 26.

Coventry Marshall, McNamee, Hawkins, Page, Whing,Mifsud (Kyle 46), Osbourne, Hughes (Birchall 69), Tabb,Adebola (Virgo 81), McKenzie.

Subs Not Used: Steele, Bunce.

Booked: McNamee, Page.

Att: 25,816

Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).