Leicester squad step up

Leicester moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League following their 4-0 victory over Swansea at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

Claudio Ranieri’s men made light of the absence of top scorer Jamie Vardy with replacement Leonardo Ulloa scoring twice.

Ulloa was just one of the players to step up. Here, we pick out five men who made the difference without the team’s star striker…

Riyad Mahrez

Mahrez had suffered a dip in form of late, having gone three games without directly contributing to a goal for only the second time this season. But this was the winger back to his best. “Sometimes I have to score,” he acknowledged afterwards. And he did.

“Mahrez was magnificent, his whole performance from start to finish,” Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports. “Some of the things he does with a football are just unique.” The moment that mattered came when he pounced on Ashley Williams’ error to settle everyone’s nerves.

But it was more than the goal; more, even, than the skills. “What he has also brought to his game is the ability to work for his team,” added Redknapp. “He’s bought into this team ethic.” Only N’Golo Kante covered more ground than Mahrez on Sunday. It was exactly what was required.

Jeffrey Schlupp

In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Ranieri set the scene. “I told Jeff, ‘Now I need you. You are our strength. You are so powerful.’ And he made another good match.” …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com