Leicester City, shock champions in 2016, are now ahead of previous leaders Manchester United by one point with a total of 38, while Chelsea have slipped to eighth on 29 points
Browsing: Leicester City
James Maddison and Harvey Barnes scored the goals to lift Leicester City to within one point of Manchester United, who play at third-placed Liverpool on Sunday
While the Saints currently occupy seventh position in the Premier League standings, they sit just three points adrift of their fourth-placed hosts.
The Foxes make the trip to the bet365 Stadium sitting third in the top flight, while opponents Stoke are eighth in the Championship.
While the Foxes begin the next batch of fixtures in third position, the Magpies are down in 14th spot after four games without success.
Leicester could have taken an early lead after Luke Thomas was fouled in the box by James Tomkins but Iheanacho’s weak effort from the spot after a stuttering run-up was swatted away by goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.
In his post match interview, the erstwhile Liverpool manager reinstated confidence in the ability of the forward to convert spot kicks.
The 24-year-old was a shield in front of the Foxes defence, making three interceptions and winning 10 of the duels he faced.
Slow starts had been a feature for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men on the road this season as they had won their previous six away league games despite conceding first
Leicester have picked up 27 points from their 14 league games this season to sit second in the table, one point ahead of third-placed United, who have a game in hand over the Foxes and indeed leaders Liverpool.
And the statistics back up his claims, with the England international involved in three goals (2 goals, 1 assist) in his last four appearances in the Premier League, coinciding with Ndidi’s return to action from an adductor injury.
Despite being a key force in Leicester City’s midfield, the Super Eagles star is also a student of Business and Management at the De Montfort University and he is hoping to combine both experiences to help the future generation in his home country.
Just one point separates the two sides in the standings, but they are both coming into the game off the back of disappointing midweek defeats to Merseyside opposition.
Since the Nigeria international returned from an adductor injury, which required surgery, he has featured in five matches in all competitions, but went the distance just once – in his most recent game vs Everton.
Richarlison fired Carlo Ancelotti’s side ahead in the 21st minute, cutting in from the left before unleashing a low drive, which Kasper Schmeichel saw late and failed to stop from squeezing in the bottom corner.
Both country and club celebrated the player via their official Twitter handle on Wednesday.
James Maddison’s deflected strike sent Brendan Rodgers’ side on their way before Jamie Vardy scored his 12th goal of the season to double the advantage.
The Northern Irishman highlighted that the holding midfielder enables his more attacking teammates to flourish.
Having had to cope with injuries and a hectic schedule since the beginning of the season, it was no surprise that Leicester’s standards dropped immediately after the November international break.
The Blades enter today’s contest on a five-game losing streak, while Leicester have lost back-to-back matches in the top flight and three of their last four overall.