Swansea City manager Garry Monk admitted that his side had been nowhere near their best after they slumped to defeat at Leicester.
The Foxes are only in the relegation zone on goal difference after a deserved 2-0 win sealed by Leonardo Ulloa and Andy King.
Swansea were poor and rarely looked like recovering from Ulloa's 15th-minute opener apart from during a brief period after the break.
Nelson Oliveira was denied by Kasper Schmeichel and Jonjo Shelvey tested the keeper, but defeat kept them eighth.
Boss Monk felt Oliveira was too honest when he stayed on his feet after a challenge from Robert Huth before being thwarted by Schmeichel.
"The defender made a rash challenge and had he gone down it would have been a penalty and a red card which would have changed the game," he said.
"He stayed on his feet but I'm more disappointed we didn't finish the chance. It would have changed the atmosphere, but credit to Leicester -- they fought hard."
Swansea are aiming to set a record points total in the Premier League by beating their current 47, but Monk felt they were out-battled as they struggled to match Leicester's intensity.
He said: "I felt the first half was where we really lost the game, especially in the first 20 minutes.
"We probably got outfought. We explained to the players that first 20 minutes was always going to be crucial.
"The players' effort and commitment is fantastic, but we weren't quite at our best. This one defeat won't define our season."