Russell Martin felt that Leicester paid a fitting tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha after boosting their League One revival with a poignant 3-0 victory at home to Wigan.
Two goals from leading scorer Emil Riis helped push the Foxes three points off the top six on the eighth anniversary of the death of the club’s former owner in a helicopter crash next to the King Power Stadium.
Substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid wrapped up a third win in four with a stoppage-time penalty after Harry Souttar was tripped in the box by Reggie Walsh and manager Martin said: “I’m really proud of the team tonight. It was important for us to honour Vichai because it was an emotional day for the club.
“I never had the pleasure of meeting him but I can see the influence and impact he had on so many people here at the club. I work with people every day that he had a huge impact on and helped to change their lives and achieve something they would never have dreamed of.
“He continues to have an impact on this club. It’s been a difficult couple of years but the commitment of his family has never wavered with the money they’ve put in and the way they’ve supported us since we’ve been here.”
Former Bristol City striker Riis took his goal tally to seven since joining last month with close-range finishes in each half and Martin added: “He’s been amazing for us. He’s a brilliant person and as a player he will only get better and better. He takes hits, runs hard and presses like a beast.”
Bottom-club Wigan remain the joint-lowest scorers in the division with just eight goals to leave them four points adrift of safety after one win in eight league games.
Gary Caldwell’s side created enough chances to come away with a point and the Latics manager said: “I thought that we stopped Leicester from getting any rhythm and there were moments in the game where we’ve done well but a lot of matches change on moments. We put in a lot of work on defending corners so to concede the first goal from one is disappointing.
“We then made two amazing chances after that but we couldn’t convert them. These are the details we’ve known for a long time that we have to be better at and we still haven’t managed to hit that required standard. I also felt we didn’t manage to capitalise quickly enough when we won the ball back in good areas.
“It’s hard, we’re trying our best to win football matches and it’s not for a lack of effort that we aren’t. The players are giving everything and we’re doing a lot of things well but we know we still have to improve.”
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