Craig Shakespeare on brink of Premier League record as Leicester face Everton

08 April 2017 12:24

Rookie boss Craig Shakespeare will equal a Premier League record if Leicester beat Everton but he insists the team remaining unbeaten is more important than any personal accolades.

Shakespeare is the first British boss to win his first five games in the Premier League and the 53-year-old will join some esteemed company alongside Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola as the only managers to win their first six should Leicester win at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Shakespeare wants his players to maintain the momentum they have built and remain undefeated - regardless of where that might put him in the record books.

He said: "Of course, the idea is to win. But if you can't win you make sure you don't lose.

" I think it would mean more getting the three points rather than records. It is nice and they come with the territory of the games, but more importantly it is about the three points for us as a team. And if we cant manage to get the win then we make sure we don't lose.

"It would be nice to keep the momentum going with another win. I couldn't have wished for a better start.

"The idea is to start out and make sure you are competitive and you know the opposition's strengths and weaknesses. We know it is a difficult task against Everton but we know the players will be ready and up for it."

Pivotal to Leicester's winning streak under Shakespeare has been Jamie Vardy's return to form.

The striker had scored five Premier League goals all season up until Claudio Ranieri's sacking in February but he has netted five times in as many league games under Shakespeare.

Explaining Vardy's upturn in fortunes, the Leicester boss said: " I think it is more a case of what the team has done for Jamie - and I think he would be the first to appreciate that.

"Confidence in strikers is there for everyone to see. He is in a rich vein of form and we need that to continue. We need to keep supplying him."

Leicester will still be without captain Wes Morgan against Everton.

The central defender has missed the last three matches with a back injury and he will remain on the sidelines at Goodison Park, as well as missing the first leg of the Foxes' Champions League quarter-final clash in Madrid next week.

Midfielder Nampalys Mendy is also still out with his knee problem and he is set to see a specialist.

Source: PA