Ranieri Hails Table-Topping Foxes

- Two penalties from Riyad Mahrez and a strike from Shinji Okazaki earned the Foxes three points 

- The victory meant City will be top of the Barclays Premier League at Christmas 

- Ranieri had a special message for the Blue Army to thank them for their magnificent support 

After guiding his side to a 3-2 Barclays Premier League victory at Everton, Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri lauded his players after another fantastic performance. 

Riyad Mahrez’s two penalties and a third goal of the season for Shinji Okazaki sealed the three points for the Foxes, in turn ensuring they would be top of the Premier League table at Christmas. 

Everton had plenty of the ball and were level at one stage through Romelu Lukaku, and after Kevin Mirallas converted late on to set up a grandstand finish, the Toffees pushed for an equaliser. 

But Ranieri’s outfit stood strong to record their 11th victory of 2015/16 ahead of another trip to Merseyside, this time against Liverpool, on Boxing Day. 

“I’m so pleased because after 30 years, Leicester have won at Goodison Park,” Ranieri told Foxes Player HD. “It was a difficult match – very difficult because Everton are a very good team, but our performance was magnificent because we worked so hard during the whole match. I’m very pleased with our players. 

“In the first half, maybe we were a little nervous when we had the ball. It wasn’t easy, but in the second half we played much better. 

“I said to continue to play in the same way [in the second half], but to be a little more calm and play football on the floor because we made too many long passes and it was difficult for Vardy and Okazaki to retrieve the ball. 

“I’m very pleased because our performance was fantastic. Everton have very good players and a good manager. They move the ball so quickly and they wanted to create the space. We closed all the space and Kasper [Schmeichel] made just one or two saves – one of which was very good.” 

Ranieri also had a message for the magnificent Blue Army, who sold out the away end at Goodison Park and are certain to enjoy their Christmas after another superb result. 

The City boss added: “I’m very happy. I want to say to our fans thank you because they came here and they were fantastic. 

“I also want to say to them and their families Merry Christmas and thank you for supporting us.”