Source: PA
Brilliant Riyad Mahrez puts Leicester five points clear at the top of the league
A wonder goal from Riyad Mahrez saw Leicester took another step closer to completing the unthinkable and winning the Barclays Premier League.After Tottenham and Arsenal played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane earlier on Saturday, Claudio Ranieri's side knew a victory at Watford would move them five points clear with nine games remaining.And the fearless Foxes made no mistake with Mahrez, a £400,000 signing from French second division side Le Havre, scoring the only goal of the game with a spectacular strike after 56 minutes.Leicester, who were able to recall N'Golo Kante, started the game with the confidence of a team flying high at the top of the table.After just two minutes Jamie Vardy was already causing problems for the home side's makeshift defence with Nathan Ake operating as an emergency centre back after Miguel Britos sustained an injury in the warm-up.A long ball over the top from Marc Albrighton found Vardy who rounded Heurelho Gomes only for Ake, the on-loan Chelsea defender, to stand in his way. Moments later, left-back Christian Fuchs drew a fine save from Gomes after Odion Ighalo failed to clear a Leicester corner.It was a relentless opening from the Foxes, and midway through the opening period, Vardy, operating on the shoulder of Ake, was through on goal once more, but his left-footed half-volley was well wide.Vardy then combined with Mahrez only to put his effort wide when it appeared easier to score. Manager Ranieiri, who has become accustomed to Vardy finding the back of the net this season, threw his arms up in celebration only to see the Englishman's effort ricocheted off the side netting.Leicester were looking the more likely to score, but as the half grew on Watford, gained a foothold in the match. Yet the promoted side, who have now failed to score in seven of their last nine league outings, were struggling to create any chances of note.After fine work from Nordin Amrabat and then Ighalo, their best effort of the first half fell to Troy Deeney, but a sliding block from Danny Simpson took the sting off the Watford captain's shot with Kasper Schmeichel gobbling up the ball.A scrappy start to the second half ensued, but Mahrez provided the spark with a goal befitting of the Premier League leaders. Jose Holebas, an eleventh-hour replacement for Britos, failed to clear his lines and when the ball fell to Mahrez on the edge of the penalty area there only ever seemed like there was going to be one outcome.The Algerian shifted the ball on to his left foot and shaped it past the diving Gomes who had no chance in the Watford goal. It was Mahrez's 15th Premier League strike of an incredible campaign and he led the celebrations with the away fans who now know their dream of winning the league is quickly becoming a reality.Leicester were buoyant with Gomes quickly denying them a second after a fine header from Robert Huth while Vardy was continuing to cause the hosts problems with his speed on the counter-attack.Watford pressed for an equaliser, but it always appeared unlikely."We're going to win the league", the Leicester fans sung and with Newcastle and Crystal Palace to follow, it was hard to disagree.TWEET OF THE MATCH"5 points clear. That's 5 points. This is not real. It can't be" - Leicester-born former striker Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker).PLAYER RATINGSWatfordHeurelho Gomes 6Allan Nyom 5Jose Holebas 5Sebastian Prodl 5Nathan Ake 7Etienne Capoue 5Mario Suarez 5Ben Watson 6Nordin Amrabat 7Troy Deeney 6Odion Ighalo 5SUBSAlmen Abdi 5Ikechi Anya 5Obbi Oulare 5LeicesterKasper Schmeichel 6Danny Simpson 6Wes Morgan 6Robert Huth 6Christian Fuchs 7N'Golo Kante 7Marc Albrighton 5Danny Drinkwater 8Shinji Okazaki 7Riyad Mahrez 9Jamie Vardy 8SUBSAndy King 7Jeff Schlupp 7Daniel Amartey 6STAR PLAYERWhile Jamie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater both turned in fine performances which will have England manager Roy Hodgson purring ahead of this summer's European Championships, it is difficult to look beyond Riyad Mahrez who stole the show with his brilliant second-half winner.MOMENT OF THE MATCHRiyad Mahrez had been largely anonymous for much of the opening period, but he came to life shortly before the hour mark with a fine left-footed strike to score the only goal of the game and move Leicester five points clear in the race for the title.VIEW FROM THE BENCHClaudio Ranieri was not a happy man in the first half, and made a double substitution at the interval with Andy King and Jeff Schlupp replacing Marc Albrighton and Shinji Okazaki. It did the trick with Mahrez netting after 56 minutes to leave the Foxes now charging towards the most unlikely of championships.MOAN OF THE MATCHWhat's happened to Odion Ighalo? The Nigerian was firing on all cylinders at the beginning of the season, but he has only scored one goal in the league since the turn of the year. He had a good chance to end that run in the second half, but his weak header was no test for Kasper Schmeichel. Watford have now failed to score in seven of their last nine league matches.WHO'S UP NEXTArsenal or Hull v Watford (FA Cup, Sunday, March 13)Leicester v Newcastle (Barclays Premier League, Monday, March 14)