Ranieri Hails 'Fantastic' Foxes

- Jamie Vardy scores twice as Leicester City beat Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light 

- The Foxes move 10 points clear of second placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have a game in hand 

- Ranieri also praises the impact of the Leicester City fans on his team’s performance 

As his Leicester City side marched to their fifth consecutive victory in the Barclays Premier League, Claudio Ranieri hailed the character and performance of the team. 

A brace of second half goals from the dazzling Jamie Vardy handed Leicester a 2-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and a fifth-straight clean sheet. 

That was enough to move them, at least temporarily, 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League table in a fixture that also saw Vardy chalk up his 20th and 21st league goals of the campaign. 

He is the first Leicester City striker since Gary Lineker in 1984/85 to achieve the feat in the top flight but it was just one of many positives for the manager from a game that saw them once again show an incredible desire to win. 

“It was a difficult match,” Ranieri reflected to . “Maybe we were nervous because Sunderland was very tough. Every tackle was a strong tackle but slowly, slowly we got better and created chances. 

“In the second half we scored twice and created a lot of chances to finish the match early. Also they had one or two chances to level the match but it’s okay. 

“When we score and don’t concede a goal, I’m always pleased. Always I want the players to show fantastic character and today they showed it. 

“We managed the ball so well late on, we kept possession, we were fast on the counter attack and we showed a good performance. 

“It’s a fantastic season but it’s not finished yet.” 

There was also a word for the Leicester City supporters, who were jubilant to see their side secure a record-equalling 21st top-flight victory in a season, and Ranieri knows exactly how important they are. 

“The atmosphere is fantastic. Our fans are always behind us. They push us and support us. Thank you so much [to them]. Believe me I am very happy when they are happy. 

“The message now is to be focused. We have two matches at home. The first against West Ham is difficult and Swansea after that is difficult too."