Reuters
London, April 25: Leicester City were left in touching distance of a fairytale first Premier League title here Sunday after Leonardo Ulloa’s double helped them outclass Swansea City at a delirious King Power Stadium.
The Foxes’ dream of completing their surreal journey from 5,000-1 no-hopers to English champions felt more tantalisingly real after 10 minutes when Ashley Williams’ careless clearance gifted Riyad Mahrez his 17th goal of the season.
Then Ulloa, filling in for Leicester’s suspended top scorer Jamie Vardy, took centre stage. He headed home the second on the half-hour and tapped in a third on the hour as the Foxes cruised while their fans merrily sang: “Are you watching, Tottenham?”
The Spurs faithful who were watching could only sigh as substitute Marc Albrighton smashed in a fourth in the dying minutes to confirm Leicester’s eight-point lead over the second-placed Londoners.
Should Tottenham lose their game in hand at home to West Bromwich Albion, Monday, the Foxes, who need five points from their last three games to take the title, could even be crowned champions next Sunday with victory at Manchester United.
Meanwhile manager Claudio Ranieri mused that, if he had his wish, every one of his wonderful squad would have been honoured as ‘Player of the Year’ at the Professional Footballers’ Association awards night.
Yet even at the heart of a side whose trademark is their team spirit and collective ethos, the Italian coach recognised that the individual who has lit up his side most brightly is the 2016 ‘PFA Footballer of the Year’, Riyad Mahrez.
“He is fantastic, Riyad is our light. When he switches on, wow, Leicester change colour! That is the truth,” Ranieri enthused.
Leicester may have stars in Jamie Vardy who has been sensational through the season and N’golo Kante’s midfield engine has never stopped purring. Yet it has been Mahrez, with his artistry and will o’ the wisp skills delivering 17 league goals and 11 assists, who has really been the rarest of jewels.