Leicester solidifies top spot, five points ahead of Tottenham

Riyad Mahrez's only goal helped the top team defeat host Watford 1-0 in round 29 of the Premier League.

Immediately after the opening whistle, the away team rushed forward to attack with great enthusiasm. In the second minute, Jamie Vardy quickly got down to receive a long pass from his teammate, dribbling past goalkeeper Gomes but his subsequent shot was blocked by a Watford defender who closed in on the angle.

Not long after, it was Christian Fuchs' turn to unleash a powerful left-footed volley, but Gomes was able to block it. Shinji Okazaki rushed in to shoot the rebound but failed. In the 14th minute, Vardy again made a smart move to receive a pass over the line. This time, he volleyed with his left foot but the ball went wide.

Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring the crucial goal that brought three points to Leicester. Photo: Reuters.

In the 24th minute, Jamie Vardy had the best chance of the match. Stealing the ball from Sebastian Prodl, the English striker opened the ball up to Riyad Mahrez and then ran in to receive the cross. However, pressure from Prodl caused Vardy to shoot wide from just five meters away.

After a series of siege efforts, Leicester were rewarded with a beautiful goal by Riyad Mahrez in the 56th minute. Receiving the ball from a cross by Fuchs, the Algerian midfielder controlled it for a moment, then shot with his left foot from the edge of the box. The ball hit the corner of the goal, leaving goalkeeper Gomes with no way to stop it. This was Mahrez's 15th goal this season.

In the remaining time of the match, Leicester players created many chances but could not score more goals. Meanwhile, Watford's resistance was somewhat weak. They did not have any significant threats and had to accept a 0-1 defeat.

This victory helped Claudio Ranieri and his team widen the gap with second-placed Tottenham to five points. Before that, the "Roosters" were held to a 2-2 draw by Arsenal in the North London derby.

With only nine rounds left in the Premier League, this is a huge advantage for Leicester in the title race. More importantly, from now until the end of the season, the Foxes only have to play in the Premier League and their opponents are mostly lower-ranked teams.

On March 15, Leicester will play their next match, against Newcastle in round 30 of the Premier League.

According to VNE