The match pitted a home side unbeaten in 12 games against a visitor that lost its last three league matches by a combined score of 6-2.

Yet it was Cremonese that struck first after half an hour. Matteo Bianchetti’s poised through ball put Martín Payero on goal and his assured finish gave the goalkeeper no chance.

Four minutes later, Jamie Vardy made it 2-0 with a carbon copy of the opener. Federico Bonazzoli’s pass set him free of a leaden back four and he coolly slotted home from almost exactly the same position as Payero.

Riccardo Orsolini pulled a goal back from the penalty spot on the stroke of halftime for Bologna but Vardy, the summer signing from Leicester City, restored Cremonese’s two-goal cushion five minutes into the second half when he stole in at the near post to tap home an inviting cross from the right.

It was an uplifting night for Vardy, who was reportedly the victim of a robbery last week.