Ranieri Delighted With Albrighton Form

- The midfielder set up two goals for Riyad Mahrez in a 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday 

- Ranieri pleased with the calmness his team showed after going behind in the match 

- The manager hopes Jamie Vardy can continue his scoring streak 

Claudio Ranieri has praised the delivery of Marc Albrighton after the winger’s two assists helped Leicester City to a Barclays Premier League victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. 

Albrighton twice set up Riyad Mahrez for goals in the 3-2 victory to take his assist tally to five for the season and again underline his importance to the team. 

The former Aston Villa man has been involved in every Premier League game for the Foxes since their season-defining win over West Ham United back in April, and continues to take his performances to new heights. 

As well as the quality of the delivery, it was the speed with which the Foxes were able to switch the play for the goals that pleased Ranieri – something that’s clearly worked hard on during training. 

“I love when there is this switch from one side to the other side,” Ranieri told Foxes Player HD. “It was good and we tried to do this in the first half but it wasn’t possible but in the second half it was better. 

“Marc [Albrighton] is a very good player. He is fast, strong, has a good attitude and is a hard worker – he’s fantastic. 

“It was a very good match and I think we didn’t deserve to lose the first half. We created two or three great chances to score and at the first set play for them, they scored a goal. We were very calm and in the second half we continued to build and play our football. 

“We didn’t need to change anything because we were playing very well. Also I knew that some players played in the week in the cup so I had to choose very well the time to use substitutions.” 

It was man-of-the-moment Jamie Vardy that scored City’s third goal of the afternoon on Saturday. That goal took his tally to 11 in 11 games this season as well as marking the eighth straight league game he has scored in. 

Only Daniel Sturridge and Ruud Van Nistelrooy have achieved the same feat, with Vardy now just two games away from the latter’s all-time Premier League record of 10 consecutive scoring games. 

Ranieri said: “It’s not bad! For me it’s important that he continues to fight. The goals can come or they can stop, but for me it’s the team that’s important. I’m very happy for him and the record and I hope he can continue.”