Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez (right) celebrates his goal with team mates in their English Premier League match against Watford at the Vicarage Road Stadium in London on Saturday. Leicester won 1-0. (Photo: AP )
Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez (right) celebrates his goal with team mates in their English Premier League match against Watford at the Vicarage Road Stadium in London on Saturday. Leicester won 1-0. (Photo: AP )
Leicester moved a step closer to fulfilling their improbable dream of winning the Premier League as Riyad Mahrez gave the surprise leaders a 1-0 win at Watford on Saturday.
Claudio Ranieri’s side extended their lead over second placed Tottenham to five points thanks to the latest moment of magic from Footballer of the Year contender Mahrez.
The Algeria winger lashed a fine finish past Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes from just inside the penalty area in the 56th minute.
With just nine games remaining, the unfancied Foxes are closing in on the most unlikely title triumph in the history of English football.
“An important win, a big battle,” said Ranieri, who eased injury fears over Mahrez after he limped off in the final minutes.
“We are so happy. We wanted to show what we have inside. The desire is so high and we have a great opportunity.
“The title is not ours. We have to fight a lot and keep our feet on the ground.”
At Eastlands, Manchester City ended a run of three successive league defeats with a 4-0 rout of Aston Villa at Eastlands.
Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure broke the deadlock in the 48th minute and Sergio Aguero doubled the lead two minutes later.
Aguero struck again in the 60th minute and Raheem Sterling added the fourth six minutes later before Aguero squandered a chance for a hat-trick when his penalty hit a post.
Manuel Pellegrini’s fourth-placed side remain 10 points behind Leicester, while woeful Villa are slipping closer to playing in the second tier for the first time since 1988 after their fourth consecutive defeat.
Chelsea warmed up for their crucial Champions League showdown against Paris Saint Germain with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Stoke at Stamford Bridge.
With Diego Costa rested ahead of the last 16, second leg against PSG, who hold a 2-1 advantage, Burkina Faso forward Bertrand Traore bagged his fourth goal in his last five appearances in the 39th minute.
But Chelsea were pegged back five minutes from full-time when Stoke forward Mame Biram Diouf headed home.
Bournemouth piled more pressure on beleaguered Newcastle manager Steve McClaren with a 3-1 win over the crisis-torn Magpies at St James’ Park.
West Ham staged a superb fightback to remain in the hunt for a Champions League berth with a 3-2 win at 10-man Everton.
Last-Gasp Benteke Gives Liverpool Win In London, Substitute Christian Benteke won and scored a 96th-minute penalty as 10-man Liverpool came from behind to win 2-1 at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Joe Ledley’s 48th-minute strike and Liverpool midfielder James Milner’s second-half dismissal for two bookable offences looked to have set Palace on course for a first win in 12 league matches.
But a slip by Palace goalkeeper Alex McCarthy gifted Roberto Firmino a 72nd-minute equaliser, before Damien Delaney's rash challenge on Benteke enabled the Belgium striker to net the winner with a last-gasp penalty.
