Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri was full of praise for his players after their 3-2 win at Everton ensured that they will top the Premier League table at Christmas.
Leicester’s rise to the summit of the English top flight has been one of the most remarkable football stories of recent times and they have become the neutrals’ favourite in the title race.
The expectation has been that Ranieri’s side would fall away as the season progressed, but they underlined their tenacity and courage at Goodison Park by hanging on for all three points.
However, Ranieri warned: “I am very, very honest. If we stay there at the end of April I might then think about the title, but for now I enjoy it.
“We are on a good run, good form. Today (Saturday) was a difficult, difficult, difficult match. Everton is a good team, they move the ball so quickly. We were very concentrated and we didn’t allow them much space.
“In the first half we didn’t react well. In the second we were much better.
“Football is crazy. If it is crazy in this way, I am very happy.”
Two penalties from Riyad Mahrez and a strike from Shinji Okazaki helped Leicester overcome Everton, who scored through Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas but were off the pace for most of the encounter.
After a quiet opening, Mahrez converted from 12 yards after Ramiro Funes Mori had dragged Okazaki down inside the area.
Lukaku equalised soon after to make it eight consecutive Everton matches with a goal, but Leicester were not to be denied as Mahrez scored a further penalty after the interval before Okazaki made it 3-1.
Mirallas brought Everton back to within one goal with a minute left, but Leicester held on and Ranieri was pleased by how his team had listened closely to his half-time instructions.
