Brentford have inflicted a damaging 4-0 defeat on struggling Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, a result that took the Foxes a dreaded step closer to the Championship.

The Bees scored three times in 15 first-half minutes and went on to net four against the Foxes for a second time this season, following the 4-1 home victory in November.

It meant a 10th Premier League defeat for Ruud Van Nistelrooy in his short spell in charge of Leicester.

The hosts started the better of the teams but imploded in the space of 15 first-half minutes. Goals from Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo and captain Christian Norgaard had local fans streaming for the exit doors before the half-time whistle.

Brentford had further opportunities to increase their lead most notably through Mikkel Damsgaard, but Thomas Frank's side finally had a fourth when Fabio Carvalho slotted in his second of the season to seal a fourth successive win on the road, which moves them into the top half of the table.

It was the fourth time this season that Leicester have shipped three goals before half-time. They have failed to find the net in front of their own fans for 75 days.

The Foxes were quick out of the traps and were twice denied by goalkeeper Mark Flekken in the opening four minutes. He kept out new signing Woyo Coulibaly from point-blank range, before denying veteran Jamie Vardy a couple of minutes later.

Brentford did not threaten much before they exposed the soft underbelly of their hosts in the 17th minute.

Boubakary Soumare sloppily lost the ball in midfield, helping the Bees onto the front foot. Kevin Schade combined with Damsgaard and the latter chipped through to Wissa, who was able to touch the ball home off the woodwork.

It was 2-0 10 minutes later when Damsgaard burst through the middle of the park and teed up Mbeumo, who whipped the ball beyond Mads Hermansen.

Brentford had a third in the 32nd minute, with Leicester exposed from another set-piece. Mbeumo's chipped free-kick found the onrushing Norgaard, who flicked the ball into the net.

Large numbers of home fans headed for the exits as chants of "we are going down" emerged from those left in the stands.

Schade's header rattled a post and Leicester were saved further embarrassment before the break when Hermansen prevented a Wout Faes own goal. The ball broke for Keane Lewis-Potter to tap home but referee Tony Harrington ruled it out for handball.

Jordan Ayew was sarcastically cheered from the pitch when he was replaced by Facundo Buonanotte before the hour mark.

The Bees sought to add to Leicester's misery and Damsgaard got on the end of Mbeumo's ball but was denied by a magnificent save by Hermansen.

However, a grim night for the hosts was capped a minute from time when the ball fell for Carvalho inside the box and the 73rd-minute substitute coolly converted.