England Premier League News: Leicester City 3 – 0 Stoke City

Leicester on top of Barclays Premier League: Leicester City 3-0 Stoke City

The Foxes are back on top of the Barclays Premiership three points clear after Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester side soundly defeated Stoke, and Arsenal lost to FC Chelsea. Leicester superstar striker Jamie Vardy struck straight at Jack Butland early on and the Foxes Danny Drinkwater scored from the edge near the end of the first half at 42 minutes.

In the second half, Vardy rounded Butland and netted at 66 minutes ending a goal drought of 10 hours, and Leonardo Ulloa added a third at 87 minutes from close range late on. All four of Danny Drinkwater's league assists this season have been for Vardy. Leicester City have won nine and lost just one of their last 14 Premiership home matches, while Stoke have conceded two or more goals in four of their last five away games in the Premier League.

Arsenal moved down to 3 with 44 points equal to Manchester City with 44 points in second. The Spurs are in 4th, and Manchester United are in 5th. Chelsea moved up to 13th with 37 points behind Everton with 38. Amid enthusiastic remarks that the Foxes are firmly in the title race, Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri was bubbling over with joy after the win.

"Nobody can believe it. Our fans are dreaming and I want them to continue to dream. I don't know if we are a contender at this moment. February is a big month and after that month I can say something more realistic," said Ranieri.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes was dismayed at his side’s defeat. "We played poorly today,” remarked Hughes. “We didn't get our game going at any point. At no point did we look like we were going to come back after conceding. We disappointed ourselves today and our supporters." Stoke are in 9th with 33 points behind Southampton.

Leicester City Transfer News

In-form EPL top goal-scorer Jamie Vardy will reportedly be offered an improved contract to entice him to stay at Leicester after both FC Chelsea and Manchester City expressed interest in the former Fleetwood Town striker.

Leicester’s Thai owners realize that Vardy’s meteoric rise has been noticed by other EPL superclubs who will be courting Vardy. Look for Algerian Riyad Mahrez to also be rewarded with a new deal after becoming one of the most highly rated playmakers in Europe.

Twenty-eight-year-old Vardy is in line for a raise after his excellent 2nd season in the Premiership. The England international has been a key player in Leicester’s amazing rise from relegation strugglers at the bottom of the table to being in contention for the Premier League silverware this campaign and a spot in the Champions League next season.

Striker Vardy beat Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s record by scoring in 11 consecutive league games.

Vardy earns £40,000 a week at the King Power Stadium after signing a new contract in August 2014, which has 2½ years to run, but his reputation has grown significantly since then. And Leicester this week made the first move to reward ¬Vardy with a new deal after he played a major part in the club’s outstanding success this campaign.

Meanwhile, superclub Liverpool are courting Leicester City’s star goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Liverpool have dropped numerous points this season due to sloppy goalie mistakes from both Simon Mignolet and Adam Bogdan. The Danish International, is also reportedly a target for Man United.

Leicester have completed the signing of Ghana defender Daniel Amartey from FC Copenhagen on a 4 ½ year contract costing Leicester City £5m. Amartey was on the Ghana squad that finished second at last year's Africa Cup of Nations.

Leicester City Tickets

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