On a day filled with emotion, Leicester City beat Cardiff City 1-0 in Leicester’s first Premier League game since the death of club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others in a helicopter crash last Saturday.

The unfortunate event ensured that the result at the Cardiff City Stadium was always going to be secondary to the occasion, yet the Foxes showed total professionalism in testing circumstances as they returned to action.

Demarai Gray produced a decisive finish to score the winner midway through the second half, a goal that sparked wild celebrations in front of the some 3,000 travelling fans. But the mood was somewhat marred when Gray was booked for taking his shirt off in celebration by referee Lee Probert.

The visitors had warmed up for the game in specially designed T-shirts bearing tributes to Vichai, the late Chairman and Owner of Leicester City Football Club. A wreath was laid on the pitch before the game, and some players were due to fly to Thailand for the funeral afterwards.

The Foxes take with them the satisfaction of a job well done, although there might be concern over Harry Maguire, who limped off with a leg injury in the first half. The defeat dropped Cardiff into the relegation zone, with Leicester in middle of the table.

“Every single player wanted to get out there to be at the funeral,” Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel said. “We are glad we’ve come away today from a really tough game with a win we can bring to Thailand and hope we did the family proud.