Leicester’s astonishing success this season has been built on sound defensive organisation, rapid counter-attacking and lethal finishing, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham among the long list of clubs to have fallen victim to their simple but effective style. Neil added: “There have been teams in the league that have got points off them, we have been watching a lot of footage of teams who have played against them this season to see how they went about it. “We have a plan so we will see how it goes”.
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Premier League leaders Leicester suffered a late 2-1 loss at Arsenal a fortnight ago, and have not played since as they have already exited the FA Cup.
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri says he always believed his side could get a breakthrough against Norwich, even though the title chasers were kept at bay for much of the afternoon. The first half we tried to find a solution but it was hard because Norwich played to maintain the clean sheet.
Marc Albrighton, whose crossing had been so disappointing in the previous 89 minutes, finally delivered the low, inviting centre Ranieri had been demanding.
While Jamie Vardy has been Leicester’s topscorer with 19 goals, Mahrez has been the team’s best playmaker and catalyst, scoring 14 goals but also providing 10 assists so far.
The players were given a training programme during their time off last week and Ranieri believes they have reaped the rewards from the break. We can score, they can score, we can score, they can score. “We believe in ourselves, we believe until the end that it’s important to fight”.
His exit in the 1-0 victory on Saturday was a concern for the Italian, but he hopes to have the 24-year-old back soon – maybe in time to face West Brom on Tuesday.
“I keep saying to him God’s given him a gift and he should be squeezing the life out of it and show everybody how good he is”. Norwich City haven’t won a single game in the last six matches, five of those six ended with their defeat.
“We expected a battle”.
At the other end of the pitch, Cameron Jerome came close with a first-half header and Nathan Redmond forced Kasper Schmeichel into a smart stop on the brink of the half, but Norwich were tired to commit too many men forward as Leicester began to pin them back.
Sunderland’s crucial relegation clash at Norwich City is one of three Black Cats games picked for live TV coverage in April.
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By any chance, if Arsenal is to lose or draw this game, Hotspurs, who play 16 place Swansea City, will make sure to pounce on this opportunity and leave a three point distance on the table between the two clubs.
