DYCHE HAS A GRAY DAY

Leicester ....... 1 Burnley ....... 0 Foxes do a Dem-olition job on Sean

DEMARAI GRAY grabbed the only goal as fastimproving Leicester dented Burnley’s push for a European spot.

Sean Dyche’s Clarets have been dreaming of qualifying for a first European campaign since 1960-61 but Gray’s sixthminute strike ensured that the

2015-16 champions continued their march up the table.

The Foxes have impressed under Claude Puel and this was his third win in his six matches in charge, while the loss saw Burnley slip a place to seventh.

After victory against Spurs in midweek Puel had warned his team not to underestimate the Clarets and they took his advice by making a bright start.

Riyad Mahrez’s cross from the left looked to be creeping in at the far post, forcing Nick Pope to dive to his right and push the ball away. But he could only parry it into the path of Gray, who collided with the frame of the goal as he slid in to finish from point-blank range.

Ex-Leicester striker Chris Wood soon had a good chance to level. Phil Bardsley’s low cross was deflected into his path but his first touch with his chest was heavy allowing Kasper Schmeichel to smother.

James Tarkowski headed wide from a corner before Johann Berg Gudmundsson worked Schmeichel again as the midway point of the first half approached.

Burnley threatened again on the half-hour as Robbie Brady created a shooting opportunity

18 yards out but Harry Maguire nicked the ball away as he pulled the trigger, resulting in a nasty collision of shins.

Both players stayed on the ground in some pain and after receiving some treatment Brady was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Scott Arfield.

The injury appeared to upset Burnley’s rhythm and Mahrez tested Pope with a 22-yard strike after a mazy run before Wes Morgan had an effort cleared off the line by Bardsley.

Burnley remained a danger, though, and Schmeichel had to be alert to deny Steven Defour and then Gudmundsson, who was put through on goal by Jeff Hendrick’s pass.

Gray came close to a second midway through the second half when he steered a shot goalwards which clipped the outside of a post before Pope saved well from Vardy and Marc Albrighton.

Leicester survived a heartstopping moment in injury time when Gudmundsson’s low cross deflected straight into the arms of Schmeichel while Pope got down to his right to make a good save to deny Mahrez.

Puel said: “I wanted to see Demarai play because I felt he can create opportunities.

“I was pleased with Shinji Okazaki against Tottenham but it was really interesting and encouraging to see Gray.”

Dyche said: “Brady’s injury looks like it’s more serious than not serious to me so we will have to wait and see.

“He’s at the hospital now and it is a knee problem.

“Overall it was tight. It was a really soft goal to concede. That was unlike us – we usually smell danger much quicker.”