LEICESTER GO CLEAR SANCHEZ SAVIOUR
Leicester go five points clear as classy Mahrez strikes
Plus Liam Heagney gives his Six Nations mid-term report on Joe Schmidt’s Ireland
RIYAD MAHREZ has adorned this most fantastical season with so many moments of ornate ability it scarcely surprises when another rolls along.
We have become accustomed to stepovers that send defenders’ heads spinning, the drag-backs that dump opponents on the floor. Even his divine volleyed assist in midweek brought the response: It’s Mahrez, what else do you expect?
But this was another level, a goal of great beauty and importance. He delivered when it mattered most.
Mahrez decided this match in the 56th minute and with it made sure Leicester took full advantage of the draw between their two closest rivals from earlier in the day. Christian Fuchs sent over a cross that was only partially cleared by Jose Holebas. Mahrez, on the edge of Watford’s area, took one touch to control and knew what he would do. He hit the ball with his left foot, a wand that has cast a thousand spells, and it flew into the top corner of the net, rendering the dive by Heurelho Gomes pointless.
Leicester’s vociferous supporters celebrated the goal – and later the final whistle – with glee and belief. As others around them falter, they keep performing. Claudio Ranieri and his players stood on the pitch at the end in a manner that illustrated their mentality. This is their title to lose. They intend to go on and win it.
They knew ahead of this game the potential prize on offer. Tottenham’s lunchtime ding-dong with Arsenal meant victory here would open up a five-point lead at the top. They were the big winners out of the 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane, and given a chance to lay a marker of intent.
They received a further boost in the early return of N’Golo Kante to the line-up. Leicester’s midfield metronome had initially been ruled out of this game through a hamstring injury but he has been winning battles all season and here was another, this time for fitness.
Andy King deputised superbly in the midweek 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion, but Kante’s presence was most welcome and he set about his task with typical vitality.
Watford suffered reverse fortunes on the injury front, losing Miguel Britos in the warm-up and having to shift Nathan Ake to central defence from his usual left-back role.
Any worries about the 21-year-old in an unfamiliar position against an attack like Leicester’s were swiftly dispelled, though. Inside the first five minutes he twice intervened to deny the visitors an opening goal.
In the first instance, Marc Albrighton sent a quick ball to Jamie Vardy, who raced to tap past Gomes and seemed likely to score, but Ake stretched to block. Soon after, a quick corner found Fuchs on the edge of the area and his hard, low shot was only palmed into danger by Gomes, with Shinji Okazaki steadying himself for a finishing touch. Once again, Ake got in the way.
In the 11th minute he nearly went one better to give Watford the lead. Ben Watson delivered a deep freekick and Ake produced an NBA-sized leap to gain aerial advantage over Wes Morgan, sending a header onto the top of the crossbar.
Vardy was sharp and had the measure of Sebastian Prodl. He beat the defender for pace again to go clear from Albrighton’s ball in the 14th minute and connected well with a volley but the direction was off.
The England striker should have scored nine minutes later. Leicester’s pressing troubled the home side and a combination of Mahrez and Vardy, beating Prodl, won possession high up the pitch. Vardy fed Mahrez galloping through on the right and the Algerian did everything right in squaring the ball to leave the goal gaping. But Vardy seemed to snatch at his effort under pressure from the backtracking Prodl and sent the ball wide.
In the 27th minute Nordin Amrabat fed Odion Ighalo but took an airshot with the return cross. The ball broke to Troy Deeney, and a real opportunity opened up. He shot well but Danny Simpson flung his body in the way and the ball popped into the hands of Kasper Schmeichel.
At half-time Jeff Schlupp came on for Albrighton and Okazaki was replaced by King as Leicester boss Ranieri searched for extra pace and height at set-pieces.
As it was, Leicester’s goal came from that moment of individual brilliance by Mahrez. They could have extended the margin of victory.
In the 59th minute a smart freekick saw Kante touch the ball, allowing Mahrez to run. He played it back to Kante, whose cross was crying out to be buried by Robert Huth, but the German’s effort was too close to Gomes.
Huth rose to meet Fuch’s free-kick with intent in the 78th minute but sent his header wide.
Watford’s best chance came 10 minutes from the end when Deeney set up Ighalo with a free header six yards out but the attempt was straight at Schmeichel. He held it closely. Leicester are edging towards holding something of far greater worth come May.