Claudio Ranieri: Leicester the title favourites? Don’t make me laugh

Leicester City were on Saturday night boosted by the confirmation that Jamie Vardy has signed a new long-term contract that commits his future to the club until 2019.

Leicester stunned Manchester City 3-1 on Saturday to bolster its bid to become the unlikeliest champions in English football history.

“It’s been a very hard season in terms of injuries and obviously now it’s a period with big games coming up”, he said.

Booth wrote: “The Foxes were arguably the best team to have visited the Etihad Stadium this season and it’s no exaggeration to say that their winning margin could have been even wider”. The spirit of my team is fantastic, It’s the best spirit I have known in my career.

“There are a lot of super teams now, we will try [to win the league]”.

After a potentially damaging slump over the Christmas period, Leicester returned to form as Robert Huth’s goal seven minutes from time earned the visitors a crucial three points against their fellow title contenders. Mahrez started the second half by powering a shot past goalkeeper Joe Hart before Huth netted again on the hour.

Sergio Aguero replied for City with a glancing header in the 87th minute – his seventh goal in five games – but it was only a consolation on a rain-lashed day at the Etihad Stadium. No longer are they regarded as underdogs likely to run out of steam, but as serious contenders.

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri added: “He has shown what a fantastic player he is and, more importantly, he is part of a fantastic group”. Everyone is happy now. We want to continue in this way. I just complain about the way we played today.

“But we are alive and we want to fight”.

“Can we win the title?”

City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who will be replaced by Pep Guardiola at the end of the season, admitted that Leicester had been worthy winners, but vowed that his side would not be discouraged.

For quadruple-chasing City this was a rude awakening.

“It’s fair to give them the merit they have, they’re playing well in a good moment”.

Leicester City lead the Premier League by five points, with 13 games remaining.

Pellegrini also admitted that David Silva faces a race to be fit for next Sunday’s game against Spurs, after he was brought off in the second half. Now it is important the players recover because we spent a lot of energy.

We have scored more goals than any other team in the league and we have lost just one match in the last 10, which, yes you’ve guessed it, that’s fewer than any other team in the league.

Bravo Man City, if only more clubs were as honest in their post-match assessments.