Foxes go five points clear in the EPL

Leicester City took advantage of a draw between challengers Tottenham and Arsenal on Saturday to open up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League as one of sport’s most unlikely stories moved another step closer to reality.

Leicester’s 1-0 win at Watford, sealed with a Riyad Mahrez goal, put them five points clear of Tottenham and eight ahead of third-placed Arsenal after the two north London sides drew 2-2 at White Hart Lane.

Mahrez was the hero for Leicester, his sublime left-foot strike, 11 minutes into the second half, sealing all three points for Claudio Ranieri’s side.

With nine games to go, the impossible is looking more and more possible for an unheralded team almost relegated last term but goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said nothing is done yet.

“I know people probably think I am lying but it is true, it’s one game at a time,” he said.

“That’s what’s got us where we are and if we start getting ahead of ourselves now then we risk blowing it.

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position but there’s a long way to go yet.”

Earlier, Tottenham held top spot for about 13 minutes after they turned round a 1-0 deficit to lead Arsenal 2-1 at home.

Aaron Ramsey put Arsenal in front shortly before half-time but after team mate Francis Coquelin was sent off nine minutes into the second half, Toby Alderweireld equalised and then Harry Kane put Spurs in front with a stunning strike.

But Alexis Sanchez hit back for the 10 men of Arsenal to grab a point that saw both sides lose ground.

“It’s true that at 2-1 for us, 11 against 10, I have to be disappointed at the final whistle,” Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said.

“But I think we need to be pleased and happy because we kept the three-point (gap over Arsenal) and I think we played better than them.

“I think we are in a good position, we have many games and we need to be focused now.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised his side’s character, which had been questioned in many quarters after three straight defeats, but rued the sending-off of Coquelin, for two yellow cards.

“We have big regrets because it looked like we were completely in control, when we went down to 10 men. That’s the regret of the day, it’s difficult to take,” Wenger said.

“I am proud of the spirit the players have shown and the response even at 2-1 down, with 10 men, away from home, we managed to come back with at least a point.

“Everybody drops points so let’s see what happens over the weekend.

We need to take encouragement.”

Manchester City returned to winning ways with a 4-0 trouncing of bottom side Aston Villa, who are nine points from safety.

Sergio Aguero scored twice and missed a penalty for his hat-trick while Yaya Toure and Raheem Sterling got the others to move City within two points of Arsenal.

West Ham moved above Manchester United into fifth after a stunning 3-2 win at Everton, scoring all three of their goals in the last 12 minutes.

Everton led through Romelu Lukaku and even though Kevin Mirallas was sent off after 34 minutes, Aaron Lennon made it 2-0 early in the second half.

But Michail Antonio, Diafro Sakho and finally Dmitri Payet grabbed the goals to keep West Ham just a point behind Man City.

Sunderland are one point clear of the drop zone after a 1-1 draw at 10-man Southampton, who snatched a late equaliser.

Newcastle are still second-bottom after a 3-1 defeat at home by Bournemouth while Norwich remain third-bottom after losing 1-0 at Swansea.

Champions Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke in the day’s other match.