Ranieri said: “It’s important because everyone wanted to see our answer without Jamie Vardy and that was a fantastic answer in my opinion”. The Foxes played first at home to West Ham United on Sunday and appeared to be on course for a sixth straight league win after Jamie Vardy’s 22nd goal of the campaign gave them the lead. At a raucous, joyous, euphoric King Power Stadium yesterday afternoon, Leicester dealt with their latest trial in relentless, eye-catching style.
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“There is no doubt about it, Vardy was a big loss for us, because the way he has played this season has been outstanding, but we showed the strength in depth we have today”.
The fourth goal came with three Leicester substitutes combining, all starting with Demarai Gray leaving several players in his dust as he raced forward.
Federico Fernandez had Swansea’s best effort of the game, meeting a deep free-kick with a header, but his effort went just over the bar.
Leicester’s Marc Albrighton, right, and Swansea’s Angel Rangel battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Leicester City and Swansea City at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, Sunday, April 24, 2016. Anything they can do to cause an upset would be a huge boost to their morale and confidence – and bloodying the nose of a team that’s becoming a rival is never a bad thing.
Even if Leicester City doesn’t win in their next game, they are still in good shape to win the title.
The victory leaves Leicester eight points clear of Tottenham with three games remaining and the pressure is back on the north Londoners as they prepare to host West Bromwich Albion this evening.
“We needed this win because it’s closer now”, said Mahrez before flying off with his team mates by helicopter to the PFA Awards celebrations in London.
“I asked for this kind of performance – ‘Be hungry, be solid, press a lot.’ We knew they keep possession of the ball very well and we were so concentrated and Ulloa made some fantastic goals”. He trained very well and he was not happy but he enjoyed the training session.
“Sometimes I have to score, or Vards, or Leo [Ulloa, who scored twice on Sunday], but it’s all about the team. I am always ready to play when I can help the team and I always work for this”.
Vardy s suspension, after 45 consecutive league starts, obliged Ranieri to make his first change in seven matches and he made another unenforced adjustment by replacing left-winger Albrighton with Jeff Schlupp. I know the team is in a good moment and all the season have been in a good moment.
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“Eight points clear, three to play, we have everything in our hands”.
