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da brdice: What a day for Leicester City. After unexpectedly building on their buffer at the top of the table in midweek despite a somewhat disappointing 2-2 draw with West Brom, the cards have fallen in the Foxes’ favour again today.Tuesday and Wednesday saw their rivals slip, and with Arsenal and Spurs against one another this lunchtime, the draw Leicester were hoping for came, leaving them with the chance to extend their lead to FIVE points at the top with a win at Watford. And that’s exactly what happened, as Riyad Mahrez’s second half strike was enough in Hertfordshire.With 60 points on the table and just nine games to play, this season is edging ever closer to being the fairytale not even the most optimistic of King Power Stadium goers would have been dreaming of before a ball was kicked, with Champions League football looking like a worst case scenario.Madness.Here are FIVE things we learnt from a cold night at Vicarage Road…They are, aren’t they? Questions were asked when they faced a tough run of games against Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, but Leicester came through and maintained their slot at the top. Then the critics suggested that beating teams they’re expected to would be their undoing… Norwich and Watford have been slayed, albeit in unconvincing fashion, this week.And with the North London Derby having ended in a share of the points, beating the Hornets has put a five point buffer at the top of the table between the Foxes and their nearest rivals, Spurs. A strong position it seems, and with only West Ham, Manchester United and Chelsea remaining as ‘tough’ opponents this season, things look rosy.On board yet?
Mahrez in line for Player of the Year award
What a season the Algerian has had. His goal today means he’s been involved in 26 strikes in 28 games this season, netting 15 times on his own. Given that few of the ‘big boys’ have been able to show anywhere near the same level of form, Mahrez looks to be the strongest candidate, ahead of even his team-mate, Jamie Vardy for the Player of the Year award. Eden Hazard won it last season and was nowhere near as effective over the entire campaign.
Nathan Ake may have a Chelsea future
Although Chelsea don’t have a track record of using their young talent, Ake will have a right to be aggrieved if he’s not given a chance next season. The defender has shone on loan at Watford this season at left-back, and managed to add another string to his bow this evening by filling in at centre-back in the Premier League – arguably this is his best position.
Much depends on the final identity of Chelsea’s next manager, but of the army of loanees the club has, Ake is one of the best.
Leicester aren’t pretty to watch
Although Leicester are gunning for the title and are most fans’ ‘second team’ this season, they aren’t the prettiest team to watch. The first 45 minutes against Watford were bleak, with long balls aimed into the channels for Vardy to chase the go-to tactic. Okay, Claudio Ranieri is doing what he can with the players at his disposal, but it’s not really the most attractive set-up.
However, Leicester fans won’t care if it brings the title, or, at worst, Champions League football.
Watford are drifting
Before Christmas Watford were being talked about as potential European qualifiers. The Hornets were a breath of fresh air with their 4-4-2 approach, allowing Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo to terrorise their opposite numbers. Alas, they seem to have been worked out somewhat by rivals, and with just one win in their last six, and three losses, their season is really drifting.
Okay, they’ve done enough to be safe – and that was the aim – but it’s a little flatter at Vicarage Road than it was in December.