Transfer-listed Paulo Wanchope scored his 10th goal of the season today to condemn Leicester to their sixth straight defeat.

The Costa Rican striker grabbed the winner to keep alive City's slim hopes of survival.

Wanchope last scored on New Year's Day then fell out with manager Joe Royle following the FA Cup victory over Coventry.

Royle placed him on the list but re-called him this week for the games against Everton and Arsenal.

City lost both of them but Wanchope repaid Royle's faith in him to steer the club to only their third victory in 24 Premiership games.

Keeper Tim Flowers returned to Leicester's starting line-up for the first time since New Year's Day.

Flowers, who needs pain-killers to combat an arthritic hip, replaced Simon Royce against the Premiership strugglers.

Wales midfielder Robbie Savage also returned to the side just 17 days after a knee operation.

Savage was injured in the FA Cup defeat by Wycombe and since then Leicester have slipped down the table.

Royle kept faith with keeper Carlo Nash even though he conceded four goals in the defeat by Arsenal in midweek.

Leicester carved out the first chance of the game. Junior Lewis skipped away from Alfie Haaland and delivered the ball into the path of Lee Marshall but his shot was blocked.

Savage upset the City fans by squaring up to Danny Granville on the touchline and the pair were spoken to by referee Barry Knight.

Mark Kennedy then tried his luck for the visitors with a 30-yard shot after being released by Jeff Whitley but his effort didn't trouble Flowers.

Leicester were left stunned in the 16th minute when City opened the scoring.

Kennedy swung in a cross from the left and Flowers flapped at a header from Wanchope.

The keeper's punch was poor and the ball rebounded off Shaun Goater and into the net.

It was lucky break for City but one they deserved on the balance of play in the first 20 minutes.

Leicester with five successive defeats behind them coming into the game were clearly at a low ebb.

City were knocking the ball about well and showing a good degree of confidence considering their plight at the foot of the table.

However a poor clearance from Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne put them under pressure.

Arnar Gunnlaugsson latched onto the loose ball and picked out Ade Akinbiyi lurking on the edge of the area.

Just as he was about to shoot, Dunne did enough to put him off and make amends for his earlier error.

Steve Guppy cut inside after 36 minutes for Leicester and tried to curl a shot beyond Nash, only to see it go wide of the post.

The home side were beginning to come into the game and Marshall was off target with a shot after a good build-up involving Andy Impey and Akinbiyi.

Leicester drew level four minutes before the break after Guppy got away down the left and delivered the ball into the area.

Akinbiyi got in ahead of Steve Howey although his shot seemed to take a deflection off the City defender.

Royle switched things around at half-time, bringing on winger Andrei Kanchelskis for French defender Charvet.

Scotland international Matt Elliott began the half by pushing forward for Leicester when given the chance.

The presence of the heavyweight defender in an attacking role lifted the crowd and seemed to unsettle City.

Keeper Nash had to look alert in the 52nd minute when he tipped over a close-range header from Gerry Taggart after Savage had swung in the cross.

City were grateful to Howey in the 57th minute when he hacked the ball away after Nash had been beaten by Akinbiyi's effort from just inside the penalty area.

However the visitors almost took the lead after 66 minutes when Taggart completely lost his bearings.

He delivered a thumping header against his own bar after Kanchelskis had delivered the cross from the right.

City regained the lead in the 68th minute thanks to a wonderful piece of skill from Wanchope.

When Danny Granville played the ball in, the Costa Rican striker had his back to goal. However he wrong-footed Flowers with a delightful back heel.

Wanchope could have sealed it for City in the 72nd minute but dragged his shot wide of the post.

A minute later Nash again pulled off a stunning save when he blocked Akinbiyi's effort at the near post.

City defended deep in the closing stages and held onto their lead. For Leicester manager and England coach Peter Taylor it was another bad day at the office.

Teams

Leicester: Flowers, Rowett, Elliott, Taggart, Impey, Savage, Lewis, Marshall (Davidson 69), Guppy, Gunnlaugsson (Eadie 70), Akinbiyi (Benjamin 87).

Subs Not Used: Royce, Oakes.

Booked: Rowett, Taggart.

Goals: Akinbiyi 41.

Man City: Nash, Charvet (Kanchelskis 45), Dunne, Howey, Granville, Whitley, Haaland, Wiekens (Grant 61), Kennedy, Wanchope, Goater (Prior 71).

Subs Not Used: Weaver, Huckerby.

Booked: Dunne, Grant, Wanchope.

Goals: Goater 17, Wanchope 67.

Att: 20,224

Ref: B Knight (Orpington).