Okazaki stunner propels Leicester City closer to maiden Premier League title

15 March 2016 - 11:18 By REUTERS

Shinji Okazaki scored with a spectacular overhead kick as Leicester City overcame Rafa Benitez's Newcastle United 1-0 to restore a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Monday. Leicester struck after 25 minutes when the flying Japanese beat goalkeeper Rob Elliot from close range after striker Jamie Vardy nodded the ball across the danger area.30 matches down, eight to go...@LCFC are five points clear at the top of the #BPLpic.twitter.com/NlbI0Skivo— Premier League (@premierleague) March 14, 2016junkClaudio Ranieri's men have 63 points with eight matches to go, five ahead of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, 11 in front of third-placed Arsenal and 12 ahead of Manchester City who both have a game in hand.One shot on target, one goal...Leicester edge Newcastle to go five points clear. Report: https://t.co/ExZZV1r8Qepic.twitter.com/Y6iUzTpO4j — Premier League (@premierleague) March 15, 2016junkLeicester have been consistent all season, having now ground out 12 wins by a one-goal margin, more than any other team, and went about the task with the usual aim to put their opponents under pressure at the King Power Stadium.However, they managed just one shot on target, albeit a special strike, against a battling Newcastle who remain second-bottom on 24 points, one behind Norwich City and north-east rivals Sunderland.Leicester have won 12 matches by a single goal this season, more than any other team in the #BPLpic.twitter.com/VDiZzSH3z9 — Premier League (@premierleague) March 15, 2016junk"Shinji works his socks off week-in, week-out so he deserves something like that. A special goal, a special moment for us," Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater told Sky Sports television."We got the goal and kind of sat back I think. It was pretty ugly on our side but it's the three points that matter."Spaniard Benitez, who joined Newcastle on a three-year contract on Friday to replace the sacked Steve McClaren, having himself been fired by Real Madrid in January, could not have faced a much tougher opening fixture.Leicester winger Marc Albrighton kept Newcastle's defence on their toes and it was from his cross that they scored.Leicester have lost just one of their last 18 #BPL matches at the King Power Stadium (W12 D5 L1) pic.twitter.com/rgSA6MTu7B — Premier League (@premierleague) March 15, 2016junkOkazaki had it all to do when he received the ball with his back to goal but the Japanese guided the ball expertly into the corner."They (Leicester) are playing a very, very high tempo. It's not easy for any team. I was not happy (with the goal) because too many balls were bouncing around a lot," said Benitez.Newcastle worked hard to get back into the match but did not create any clear-cut chances and Benitez now has an even bigger task on his hands to keep his side up with a crunch match at home to Sunderland, who are fourth from bottom, on Sunday. (Writing by Ken Ferris; Editing by Tony Jimenez)..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.