Brighton manager Steve Coppell tipped Leicester to clinch the First Division title after his side's defeat at the Walkers Stadium confirmed the Foxes promotion.

Goals from Muzzy Izzet and Jordan Stewart gave Micky Adams' side a 2-0 win which secured an instant return to the Premiership.

It also took Leicester a point ahead of Portsmouth at the top of the table with three games left, and Coppell was sufficiently impressed with Saturday's opponents to back them to stay there until the end of the season.

Leicester appear to have the hardest run-in with away games at play-off contenders Sheffield United and Wolves, and a home game with Norwich in between, while Portsmouth face Reading and Rotherham at home and Bradford away on the last day of the season.

But Coppell said: "As far as who is going to win the title, City are a team that don't make many mistakes. Their defenders are very hard to expose, very difficult to pull out of position.

"That's the difference between Leicester and Portsmouth. That's not to criticise Portsmouth, but their style is more cavalier and I would say Leicester's style of play is best suited for them to go on to win the division."

Even if that is the case, Adams is well aware the hardest task is yet to come, namely keeping the cash-strapped Foxes in the Premiership next season.

"I'm aware of what has happened to West Bromwich Albion this season, so the warning is there for all to see," said Adams, whose side set a new club record of 26 league wins in a season.

"Money has to be invested wisely in quality players. I know there is not going to be a massive amount there and I'm not going to say 'I want £30million or I'm off.'

"We've had a great day but I definitely don't want to be sat here in a year's time having been relegated. If that happened then all this would count for nothing."

Despite his concerns about how much the Foxes will be able to invest before tackling life in the Premiership, Adams was able to savour the sweet success of promotion for the third time in his career.

"People say I'm not an emotional man but I really was out there," he added.

"Managers can take all the plaudit but our season has been all about the players.

"We've had massive problems off the field all year but the players ignored all of that to perform brilliantly week after week.

"We've now got three difficult games left but we're top of the league so, as far as the title goes, our destiny is in our own hands.

"I'm most pleased for the senior players here. They got a lot of stick last season. For whatever reason they weren't motivated then but this time round they were.

"Perhaps some had spent the summer being told by their agents they could get a move to another Premiership club, but for most of them that just didn't happen.

"So from day one they have been up for this challenge. They were told that they were staying here and asked what they were going to do about and they have responded fantastically. I'm so pleased for every one of them.

"Because of certain factors, we've not been able to improve the squad a great deal this season and perhaps that's made things a bit harder than they otherwise would have been.

"But the plus side to that is that the squad's been settled and it's been solid.

"And I'd like to think every team I manage has a certain work ethic.

"When we drop below that we know we become a very average side, so for us to be a good side we know we've got to put in that work rate."

Goalscorer Izzet, who earlier this season asked to come off the transfer list, felt Leicester's promotion was no more than the Foxes deserved.

"When you look at all this, it was worth it," said Izzet as he walked off the pitch amid joyous scenes.

"We deserved to do it. There was no-one helping us. A lot of hard work has been done and a lot has gone against us. We deserve this."